Labouchere Betting Strategy for Roulette
The Labouchere system — also called the Cancellation strategy — is a negative progression method created by British politician and journalist Henry Labouchere in the 19th century.
It increases bets after losses, aiming to recover deficits gradually while locking in a target profit defined by your sequence.
Popular among roulette players for its structure, it still can’t beat the house edge — but it can add discipline to your betting.
Play Labouchere at UKGC-licensed roulette sites
Test the sequence method at secure UK-regulated casinos with fair wheels and quick GBP withdrawals.
T&Cs (18+)
First deposit only.This offer is only available for first time depositors. Min deposit is £10.80 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza. Spin Value: £_0.10. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. This offer is only available for specific players that have been selected by PlayOJO. If you have arrived on this page not via the designated offer via PlayOJO you will not be eligible for the offer. Irregular play may lead to removal of reward. OJO’s Rewards and Game policy applies.
T&Cs (18+)
18+. New players only. Min dep. £20. Valid for 14 days from registration. Welcome Offer: Earn points for cash bets made to unlock wager-free spins on selected games: 2 points for every £10 bet on Slots, 1 point for every £10 bet on Video Poker and qualifying Side Bets. 0.25 points for every £10 bet on Roulette games. Maximum accumulation of redeemable points is limited to 2000. You will receive spins based on the number of points earned:10, 20, 35, 50 points = 5 spins, 70 points = 1 Superspin, 100 points = 10 spins, 200 points = 5 Superspins, 300 points = 4 Superspins, 500 points = 6 Superspins. Additionally you will earn an extra 120 Spins for every 375 points earned above the 500-point threshold, until you reach a total of 2000 points. Spins credited the next day. Spin winnings credited as cash funds and capped at £100 per batch of spins. Cash funds are immediately withdrawable. Wager-free spins must be used within 72 hours. Full terms apply. Affordability checks apply.. BeGambleAware.org
T&Cs (18+)
This offer is for new customers only and is available once per household. Minimum deposit and wagering on sport to activate the Bet token is £10. The Welcome Bet token must be used at www.mrplay.com within 14 days of being credited to your account. Offer only applies to players who are residents of United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Finland, Germany and Canada.
How the Labouchere System Works
The goal is to cross off all numbers in your chosen sequence, earning a net profit equal to their sum. You determine the sequence based on your target win.
- Choose a sequence: Example: 1–2–3–4–5 (sum = 15 units target profit).
- Bet size: First + last number = bet in units. (1 + 5 = 6 units)
- Win: Cross off both numbers used. Next bet = new first + last.
- Loss: Add the lost bet amount to the end of the sequence.
- Repeat: Continue until all numbers are crossed off.
Labouchere Progression Tracker
| Spin | Sequence | Bet | Result | New Sequence | Bankroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1–2–3–4–5 | 6u | Win | 2–3–4 | +6u |
| 2 | 2–3–4 | 6u | Loss | 2–3–4–6 | 0u |
| 3 | 2–3–4–6 | 8u | Win | 3–4 | +8u |
| 4 | 3–4 | 7u | Win | Complete | +15u |
Fill in as you play to maintain accuracy — errors in tracking can quickly derail the system.
Bankroll & Risk Management
Even-money bets on European roulette win 48.65% of the time. The house edge of 2.70% means you lose about £0.027 per £1 wagered long-term.
| Bankroll | Sequence | Max Bet | Risk Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| £100 | 1–2–3–4 | ~10u | Short sessions, low buffer |
| £500 | 1–2–3–4–5–6 | ~12u | Balanced risk/reward |
| £1,000+ | 1–2–3–4–5–6–7 | ~14u | More resilience vs losing streaks |
Worked Examples
Winning Streak
Sequence: 1–2–3–4. Win four bets in a row → Sequence cleared quickly → Profit equals sum of original sequence.
Losing Streak
Sequence: 1–2–3–4–5. Lose four bets in a row → Sequence grows → Bets escalate → Risk of table limit or bankroll bust.
Pros & Cons of Labouchere
- Structured & goal-oriented
- Customisable profit target
- Spreads losses across multiple bets
- Doesn’t change house edge
- Bets can escalate quickly
- Requires careful tracking
Labouchere vs Other Systems
- Martingale: Doubles after loss, faster recovery but higher bust risk.
- Fibonacci: Gentler progression, slower recovery.
- d’Alembert: Simple +1/-1 adjustment, low risk but lower profit potential.
Common Mistakes
- Starting with too long a sequence for your bankroll
- Mis-tracking sequence after wins/losses
- Ignoring table limits when bets escalate
- Chasing losses beyond bankroll limits
Try Labouchere Risk-Free First
Use our free roulette game to practise tracking and sequence management before playing for real money.
T&Cs (18+)
First deposit only.This offer is only available for first time depositors. Min deposit is £10.80 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza. Spin Value: £_0.10. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. This offer is only available for specific players that have been selected by PlayOJO. If you have arrived on this page not via the designated offer via PlayOJO you will not be eligible for the offer. Irregular play may lead to removal of reward. OJO’s Rewards and Game policy applies.
T&Cs (18+)
18+. New players only. Min dep. £20. Valid for 14 days from registration. Welcome Offer: Earn points for cash bets made to unlock wager-free spins on selected games: 2 points for every £10 bet on Slots, 1 point for every £10 bet on Video Poker and qualifying Side Bets. 0.25 points for every £10 bet on Roulette games. Maximum accumulation of redeemable points is limited to 2000. You will receive spins based on the number of points earned:10, 20, 35, 50 points = 5 spins, 70 points = 1 Superspin, 100 points = 10 spins, 200 points = 5 Superspins, 300 points = 4 Superspins, 500 points = 6 Superspins. Additionally you will earn an extra 120 Spins for every 375 points earned above the 500-point threshold, until you reach a total of 2000 points. Spins credited the next day. Spin winnings credited as cash funds and capped at £100 per batch of spins. Cash funds are immediately withdrawable. Wager-free spins must be used within 72 hours. Full terms apply. Affordability checks apply.. BeGambleAware.org
T&Cs (18+)
This offer is for new customers only and is available once per household. Minimum deposit and wagering on sport to activate the Bet token is £10. The Welcome Bet token must be used at www.mrplay.com within 14 days of being credited to your account. Offer only applies to players who are residents of United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Finland, Germany and Canada.
Labouchere Strategy – FAQs
Is Labouchere profitable?
It can yield short-term profits, but the house edge ensures long-term losses.
What’s the best bet type?
Even-money bets on single-zero wheels for highest hit rate.
What bankroll do I need?
Enough to sustain the sequence through losing streaks — £500+ is safer.
Can I use it in live dealer games?
Yes, but track carefully and beware of table limits.
Is it better than Martingale?
Less risky in escalation, but slower to recover losses.