Labouchere Casino Betting Strategy
The Labouchere system, also called the split Martingale or cancellation system, is one of the best-known betting systems in the world.
The system takes its name from Henry Labouchère, an English politician and enthusiastic roulette player who lived during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. If you’re looking for a straightforward progressive betting method, you could consider the classic Martingale or Reverse Martingale. Players willing to learn a more involved gambling system may find the Labouchere approach worth exploring.
How the Labouchere Strategy Works
Like the Martingale, the Labouchere strategy is a negative progression system. Unlike that system, it doesn’t aim to recover earlier losses with one bet. Instead, it seeks to recoup them through a series of wins during play.
The Labouchere strategy can be used on any even-money proposition, including baccarat and blackjack, though it’s most commonly associated with roulette. It is particularly linked to outside bets such as odd or even and red or black.
The Labouchere strategy has notable weaknesses, but its supporters believe it can generate a profit even if fewer bets win than lose. That’s a claimed outcome, not a guarantee, and the system’s intended success depends on avoiding a long losing streak.
The Labouchere Strategy, Step by Step
Start by setting a realistic amount you hope to win. Break that target into smaller figures that add up to the same total. For instance, a $100 target could be split into 10-10-20-10-10-10-20-5-5. Put the figures in any order you like.
Add the leftmost figure in the sequence to the rightmost one. Here, $10 plus $5 makes a $15 wager. If the bet wins, cross off both figures. If it loses, keep the figures as they are and add the wager amount to the end of the sequence.
With the same example, a win would leave a sequence like this:
10-10-20-10-10-10-20-5-5
After a loss, the sequence would look like this instead:
10-10-20-10-10-10-20-5-5-15.
Repeat the process until you have crossed off every figure. Completing the sequence is intended to bring you to the target you chose at the start. If you do not reach it, you can continue playing until you choose to stop or run out of bankroll.
The Labouchere strategy can also be used for a higher target. In the example below, the player is aiming to win $1,000.
The player sets up this sequence: 100, 200, 100, 100, 200, 200, 50, 50.
For the first round, the player bets $150 (100+50) on red and loses. They add 150 to the end of the sequence, which becomes: 100, 200, 100, 100, 200, 200, 50, 50, 150.
The player’s next bet is $250 (100+150) on red, and it wins. Crossing off 100 and 150 leaves this sequence: 200, 100, 100, 200, 200, 50, 50.
Next, the player bets $250 (200+50) on red and wins. Crossing off 200 and 50 leaves 100, 100, 200, 200, 50.
The player then wagers $150 (100+50) on red and loses, so 150 is added to the sequence. The updated sequence is 100, 100, 200, 200, 50, 150.
The player bets $250 (100+150) on red and wins. Removing 100 and 150 leaves this sequence: 100, 200, 200, 50.
The next $150 bet on red wins, leaving a sequence of 200, 200.
To finish, the player bets $400 (200+200) on red and wins. The sequence is complete, reaching the $1,000 target.
Where the Labouchere Strategy Falls Short
Labouchere is designed for even-money bets, so it can be used on red/black, even/odd or 1-18/19-36. The method can be used for inside bets too, but the risk may be considerably higher. You may want to choose a bet with roughly a 50% chance of winning to improve the likelihood of a successful wager.
A long run of losses is a key weakness of this strategy. As the sequence grows, crossing off the necessary figures can become harder and harder. The casino keeps its advantage, and roulette remains a game of chance whatever betting system you choose.
Since losing streaks can lengthen the sequence, Labouchere may not suit players with a limited bankroll. New casino players, or those who do not want to risk losing all their money, may wish to steer clear of this system.
The Upsides of the Labouchere Strategy
With patience and enough bankroll to cover the wagers, Labouchere may help a player finish with the amount they set out to win. The sequence is flexible, too: adjusting its figures gives players a way to choose their level of risk.
A further appeal is that not every bet needs to win to reach the target. In theory, a player might lose more bets than they win and still end in profit. That outcome is possible, not guaranteed.
Those new to the method, as well as players who are not high rollers, can start with the game’s minimum permitted bet. Potential winnings will be lower, but a modest start can help players learn how the system works while still leaving open the chance of finishing ahead.
