Labouchere Betting Strategy
The Labouchere betting system or the Cancellation strategy is the brainchild of Henry Labouchere.
He was a British politician and journalist. Since the Labouchere is a negative progression strategy you’ll increase your bets after a loss.
Putting the Labouchere Betting Strategy Into Action
Start by writing down a sequence of numbers such as 1-2-3-4-5 when you play roulette online.
Decide on a bet amount by adding the first and last numbers of the sequence. In this example, it would be 1 + 5 = 6 units.
Place your bet on an even-money option like Red/Black, Odd/Even, or High/Low. If you win, cross off the first and last numbers of the sequence.
If you lose, add the amount you just bet to the end of the sequence. Continue this process until you’ve crossed off all the numbers.
- Bet 1: 1 + 5 = 6 units (Win: Cross off 1 and 5, new sequence: 2-3-4)
- Bet 2: 2 + 4 = 6 units (Loss: Add 6 to end, new sequence: 2-3-4-6)
- Bet 3: 2 + 6 = 8 units (Win: Cross off 2 and 6, new sequence: 3-4)
- Bet 4: 3 + 4 = 7 units (Win: Cross off 3 and 4, sequence complete)
The goal is to cross off all numbers. That signifies a net profit equal to the sum of the original sequence.
This method allows for flexible bet sizing and helps manage losses by spreading them over several bets.
Pro Tip
Play roulette for real money at the online casinos RouletteUK.co.uk endorses. They’re safe because the UKGC issues them with licenses.
Moreover, choose even-money bets, like Red/Black since they give you a 50/50 chance of winning.
Best Bets
| Bet Type | Odds | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Red/Black | 48.65% | 1:1 |
| Odd/Even | 48.65% | 1:1 |
| High/Low (1-18/19-36) | 48.65% | 1:1 |
Testing the Labouchere Strategy
I’ve put my money where my mouth is and used the Labouchere system on European roulette. I chose it because the single zero-wheel offers me odds of 2.7%.
That’s significantly better than American roulette’s of 5.26%. The testing phase occurred over 100 spins with a budget of £100.
Furthermore, my average stake was £1 per spin. As a side note, French roulette is a great variant to test the Labouchere betting strategy.
The game’s additional rules like La Partage and En Prison reduce the house edge to 1.36%.
However, check if the roulette sites you’re playing at cover those rules.
I started with a bankroll of £100 and bet £1 per spin over 100 spins.
I began with a sequence like 1-2-3-4. Whenever I won, I crossed off the first and last numbers.
When I lost, I added the bet to the end of the sequence. Over the 100 spins, I managed my losses and gradually recovered them.
By the end, I lost my bankroll but still had a pleasant experience using it.
Pitfalls of the Labouchere Strategy
When I tested the Labouchere betting strategy I picked up a few pitfalls.
It depleted my bankroll, indicating the need for a larger one to offset losses.
Moreover, the complexity of managing the sequence can lead to mistakes.
I experienced long-losing streaks which depleted my funds before I could make a profit.
Online casinos that offer roulette have different table game limits for roulette.
That can prevent placing higher bets needed to continue the sequence. That can potentially lead to substantial losses without recovery.
Wrapping Up
To win money playing roulette with the Labouchere strategy lies in the budget size and discipline.
The Labouchere betting strategy wiped out my bankroll because I had a few losing streaks.
The conclusion I came to is that it’s not a system that’s ideal for low-stakes roulette players.
If my bankroll was at least £1000 I think I would have made a profit. That said, the Labouchere betting strategy remains one of the best.
Its sequential nature provides a clear framework for adjusting bets. The risk of escalating losses and hitting table limits underscores the importance of bankroll management.
How do I maximize profits when I use the Labouchere system? Use it over the short term!