Labouchere Strategy for Roulette

Some roulette systems like Martingale or Fibonacci get all the attention, but some pro players opt for ones that give you more versatility. That’s where the Labouchere strategy truly shines. It mixes the best parts of number-based systems with a flexible style, so you’re gonna want to check it out.

Below, we’ll break down how the Labouchere technique works for roulette, throw in some real-world examples to show you how it’s done, and add some tables and charts to make it even easier to get the hang of. Let’s dive in!

What is the Labouchere Betting System? Main idea

The Labouchere system is a structured and progressive betting strategy popular in roulette and other games with near 50% odds, such as Blackjack or Baccarat. It is also known as the Split Martingale or the roulette cancellation system. So if that’s the Labouchere strategy, how to use it in gambling?

The Labouchare strategy in gambling is about creating a numerical sequence that breaks down the profit you aim to achieve, adding or crossing out numbers depending on whether you win or lose. Unlike other numerical sequence systems, this method is flexible and allows you to organize your sequence based on your preferences: more conservative or more aggressive.

How the Labouchere Strategy Works

Now that you know the basics, you’ll understand this system a bit better with some examples. First, the player must decide how much money they want to win. Let’s say you want to win $100 betting on red or black. You then create the best Labouchere sequence for you with numbers that adds up to 100, for example, 5, 10, 15, 20, 20, 15, 10, 5.

Each time, you bet the sum of the first and last numbers in the sequence, so you’d start by betting 5 + 5 = $10. If you win, you cross out those numbers: they’re achieved. If you lose, you add the bet amount to the end of the sequence. When you’ve crossed out all the numbers, you’ll have reached your profit goal.

Example of the Labouchere roulette Strategy in Action

Let’s now put this Labouchere system roulette sequence into action by betting six times on red in roulette. Recall that the sequence is 5, 10, 15, 20, 20, 15, 10, 5. Our first bet, then, must take the numbers at the ends, that is, 5 and 5.

ROUND 1:

Bet: 5 + 5 = 10 on red.
Result: Win.
Sequence modification: Cross out 5 and 5.
New sequence: 10, 15, 20, 20, 15, 10.
Balance: +10

ROUND 2:

Bet: 10 + 10 = 20 on red.
Result: Loss.
Sequence modification: Add 20 to the end of the sequence.
New sequence: 10, 15, 20, 20, 15, 10, 20.
Balance: -10

ROUND 3:

Bet: 10 + 20 = 30 on red.
Result: Win.
Sequence modification: Cross out 10 and 20.
New sequence: 15, 20, 20, 15, 10.
Balance: +20

ROUND 4:

Bet: 15 + 10 = 25 on red.
Result: Loss.
Sequence modification: Add 25.
New sequence: 15, 20, 20, 15, 10, 25.
Balance: -5

ROUND 5:

Bet: 15 + 25 = 40 on red.
Result: Win.
Sequence modification: Cross out 15 and 25.
New sequence: 20, 20, 15, 10.
Balance: +35

ROUND 6:

Bet: 20 + 10 = 30 on red.
Result: Loss.
Sequence modification: Add 30.
New sequence: 20, 20, 15, 10, 30.
Balance: +5

Round	Sequence	Bet	Result	New sequence	Balance
1	5, 10, 15, 20, 20, 15, 10, 5	5+5 = 10	Win	10, 15, 20, 20, 15, 10	+10
2	10, 15, 20, 20, 15, 10	10 + 10 = 20	Loss	10, 15, 200, 20, 15, 10, 20	-10
3	10, 15, 200, 20, 15, 10, 20	10 + 20 = 30	Winn	15, 20, 20, 15, 10	+20
4	15, 20, 20, 15, 10	15+10 = 25	Loss	15, 20, 20, 15, 10, 25	-5
5	15, 20, 20, 15, 10, 25	15 + 25 = 40	Win	20, 20, 15, 10	+35
6	20, 20, 15, 10, 30	20 + 10 = 30	Loss	20, 20, 15, 10, 30	+5

The Flexibility of the Labouchere System

Besides being relatively simple, the Labouchere system also stands out for its flexibility. While numerical sequences in strategies like Fibonacci are fixed, the Labouchere roulette strategy allows players to create sequences tailored to their needs based on their budget, desired winnings, and the level of risk they are willing to take.

Conservative sequences: These typically use smaller numbers to limit potential losses, though they also limit winnings per successful bet. For example, if you aim to win $50, a Labouchere progression like 2, 3, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5 would be conservative because the bets in each round are small.
Aggressive sequences: If you prefer a more aggressive style, you can opt for sequences with higher numbers per round. For a $50 goal, an aggressive sequence could be 10 + 15 + 15 + 10. The potential winnings are greater at each stage, but you also face higher risk if you encounter several consecutive losses.

Simulation Results

When we stretched the example from earlier to 10 rounds, we got mixed results: wins in rounds 7 and 9, and losses in rounds 8 and 10. The back-to-back wins in rounds 6 and 7 made a big difference, leaving a sweet +$50 balance by the end of the 10 rounds.

But, heads up, the Labouchere isn’t a guaranteed win. Sometimes you can hit a bunch of losses in a row, and that can wipe out your balance with no way back. If your betting money hits zero, the smart move is to call it a day and not chase those losses.

Does the Labouchere System Work?

The Labouchere betting system is handy because it’s an organized way to bet and can be tweaked to fit what you need, but it’s not a surefire way to win. Like with any gambling, it all comes down to the streaks you hit. A few wins can bring in some cash, but a few losses will cost you.

Why it Might Work (Short Term)

This system is mostly built for scoring profits in short gaming sessions. Its structured setup helps you stay cool and stick to a plan, with sequences tailored to your budget and goals, but it doesn’t magically guarantee a win. Even the best Labouchere sequence may fail sometimes.

Why it Fails (Long Term)

In the example we looked at before, you can see how a few losing rounds can pile up, and that obviously leads to losses. If those losses hit early in the Labouchere progression, you’ll have to bet bigger and bigger to recover, which can burn through your budget fast and end your session early.

Plus, don’t forget the house always has the edge. In roulette, that’s 2.7% for European tables or 5.26% for American ones. No matter how great the Labouchere betting system is, it can’t flip those odds in your favor.

Pros and Cons of the Labouchere Strategy

No strategy guarantees wins in roulette, but the Labouchere technique is pretty handy for playing in an organized way. Here’s the rundown on its main upsides and downsides:

Pros

Gives you a clear, structured way to play.
You can tweak it to fit any budget or win goal.
Unlike Martingale, the bets don’t skyrocket as fast, so it’s less risky.

Cons

It’s a bit more complex than Martingale or Fibonacci, so it’s not great for newbies.
Losing streaks can burn through your cash fast.
Bets tend to get bigger in the later stages of the game cycle.

Tips for Using Labouchere Effectively

If you think this strategy could work for you and want to give it a shot, check out these tips to get started.

Set a loss limit: Pick a realistic budget and stick to it. Leave some wiggle room for early losing streaks, but cap your potential losses from the get-go. Never go over this budget.
Stick to 1:1 bets: This strategy only works for even-money bets (like red/black). Trying it with riskier bets could rack up big losses fast.
Don’t stretch your sequence for no reason: If you hit your initial win goal, don’t get carried away and keep playing. Remember, in the long run, the house always comes out on top.
Keep strict track of your sequence: You’ve got to follow the system to the letter for it to work. Pay close attention when crossing out or adding numbers to the sequence based on the strategy’s rules.
Stay disciplined: Discipline is everything with this system. Don’t bet more or less than what your strategy says. These mathematical systems are built to keep emotions out of the game.

Always Play Responsibly

Having a strategy like a Labouchere roulette system is a solid way to play smart, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to your self-control. Besides setting a spending limit, think about setting time limits for your gaming, and stick to them no matter what. Know when it’s time to call it quits, and take breaks if you need them. If you ever feel like you need help, check out the NCP Gambling website.

Labouchere Strategy FAQs

What if I hit a very long losing streak?

If you get stuck in a long losing streak and run out of budget for the next bet, it’s time to stop. Never add more money to your budget to chase losses.

Can I use this system on American roulette?

Yup, you can use it on both American and European roulette since they both have 1:1 bets (like red/black or odd/even). But you’re better off with European roulette—it doesn’t have the double zero, so your chances of winning are slightly better.

Why is this strategy banned in some casinos?

Casinos usually don’t ban numerical strategies like this one. That said, some might put restrictions in place if they think certain players are winning more than usual.

Can Labouchere be automated?

Since it’s a mathematical strategy, you can automate it with specialized apps like a Labouchere system calculator, or even with a simple Excel spreadsheet. Still, it’s always smart to keep an eye on your bets and not rely totally on automation.

Conclusion

Lots of players choose the roulette Labouchere strategy not just because it can bring good results, but also because it’s very flexible. Unlike similar strategies like Martingale or Fibonacci, this technique lets you work with custom sequences that you can tweak to match your budget, risk tolerance, and win goals.

So, think about the different types of sequences—from super conservative to high-risk—and check out online simulations to find the one that better fits your style. If you’re new to this, keep your budget tight and go for a more prudent sequence. Don’t forget to stick to it, stay disciplined, and always play responsibly!