Guide to the Labouchere Betting System

What is the Labouchere Betting System?

The Labouchere betting system is a negative progression betting strategy designed primarily for even-money bets, like red/black in roulette or the Player bet in baccarat. Instead of doubling bets like in Martingale, Labouchere betting works by writing out a number sequence and using that sequence to determine your bets.

Each bet equals the sum of the first and last numbers in your sequence. Win a bet? Cross off those numbers. Lose? Add the amount of your lost bet to the end of the sequence. The goal is to cancel out all the numbers in your original sequence, hence the nickname, the “cancellation system.”

How the Labouchere System Works

Let’s walk through a simple Labouchere example.

Start by deciding how much you want to win. Then, create a sequence of small numbers that add up to that target. For example, if your target is $6, you could use:

1 – 2 – 3

First Bet:

• Bet = 1 + 3 = 4
• If you win, cross out the 1 and 3.
• Your remaining sequence is: 2

Second Bet:

• Bet = 2
• If you win again, congrats! You’ve canceled all the numbers and completed the sequence with a $6 profit.

If you lose the first $4 bet, add 4 to the end of the sequence:

• Now it looks like: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4
• Next bet = 1 + 4 = 5

If only one number remains, that number becomes your next bet. The system continues until you have canceled every number in the sequence. However, a long losing streak can cause the sequence and required bet sizes to grow quickly.

Labouchere does not require a long run of consecutive wins because every win removes numbers from the sequence. However, every loss adds another number and can increase the size of later wagers.

Labouchere vs. Martingale System

The Labouchere system is often compared with the Martingale system. Both are negative progression systems, meaning that the stake changes based on the result of the previous wager.

With Martingale, you double your stake after every loss and return to the original amount after a win. With Labouchere, your stake depends on the sequence you created. After a loss, you add the lost stake to the sequence. After a win, you remove the first and last numbers.

Martingale requires less tracking because it follows a fixed doubling pattern. Labouchere requires you to update the sequence after every wager. Both systems can eventually produce bets that exceed your budget or the table limit.

What Is the Reverse Labouchere?

The Reverse Labouchere changes the system from a negative progression strategy into a positive progression strategy. Instead of increasing the sequence following a loss, it increases the sequence following a win.

When you win, add the amount of the winning stake to the end of the sequence. When you lose, remove the outside numbers and continue betting with the remaining sequence.

This means that bet sizes generally increase during winning runs rather than losing runs. However, the Reverse Labouchere still relies on outcomes you cannot control and does not guarantee a profit.

Pros and Cons of the Labouchere System

Much like any combination of math and gambling, the Labouchere system comes with its advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a look at the most important pros/cons:

Pros:

• Structured system: Each bet has clear logic behind it.
• More flexible than Martingale: Doesn’t rely on doubling every time.
• You set the risk: Your starting sequence determines the potential gain and exposure.
• Customizable sequence: You can choose a shorter or longer starting sequence based on the amount you want to target.

Cons:

• Still needs a healthy bankroll: Long losing streaks can stack big bets fast.
• Can feel complicated mid-sequence: Tracking wins and losses takes discipline.
• Not immune to table limits: Large bets may hit caps before you complete the sequence.

When to Use the Labouchere System

Labouchere betting works best for even-money casino bets like:

• Labouchere is better suited to even-money roulette bets, such as red or black and even or odd. Roulette variations may also offer side bets, but these do not necessarily provide the 1:1 payout structure used by the standard Labouchere system.
• Baccarat (Player or Banker)
• Blackjack (if played in a simplified even-odds format)

It’s not ideal for bets with high variance or larger odds, such as parlays or prop bets. Also, sports betting lines rarely offer the kind of clean 1:1 odds the Labouchere system is built for.

As with all negative progression systems, it’s important to:

• Stick to your sequence
• Know your stop-loss limits
• Avoid chasing losses if things spiral

Tip: Start with a short, low-risk sequence like 1 – 2 – 3 or 1 – 1 – 2 – 2 if you’re new to the system.

Nerd Nook Labouchere Streak Example

To show you how a Labouchere streak works, we tested out the simplest sequence on a game of European Roulette at Las Atlantis (using the Dicelab RNG game). We used the 1-2-3 initial sequence and these were the results:

At the end of the sequence, we had lost $15 and made $21, so we were up $6 overall. After a long loss streak, getting back to profit can be difficult with Labouchere, which is why a short sequence and small initial stake is always better.

Is Labouchere Good for Sports Betting?

Not really. It will only work with even-money odds. Applying Labouchere logic to a series of mismatched +135, -110, or -175 odds won’t work the way it does in roulette or baccarat.

Labouchere might feel tempting in live betting or props, but you’d be bending it too far out of shape for it to hold any structure.

If you want to try Labouchere with sports betting, look for wagers priced close to +100. Depending on the event and available odds, these could include:

• Over/under bets
• Point spreads
• Selected prop bets
• Moneyline bets in evenly matched one-on-one sports

For example, some boxing moneyline bets and MMA moneyline bets may be priced close to even money. However, this depends on the matchup, so an outright winner should not automatically be treated as a suitable or safe bet.

Always check the actual odds rather than relying on the market type. Point spreads and totals are commonly priced around -110 rather than +100, so you would need to base each stake on the potential profit required by the sequence.

Teasers are less suitable because they combine multiple selections into one wager. Even when the overall price is close to even money, one unsuccessful selection can lose the entire bet.

Adapting Labouchere this way makes it more complicated to track, and it still does not improve the likelihood of winning or overcome the sportsbook’s margin.

Should You Use the Labouchere System?

The Labouchere system can be fun and mentally engaging, especially if you enjoy systems with a process. But it still relies on outcomes you can’t control, and like all negative progression strategies, it comes with risk.

If you want to learn how the sequence works, practise with a free roulette game before wagering real money. This gives you an opportunity to track wins, losses and changes to the sequence without risking your bankroll.

Here’s when it might be worth trying:

• You play even-odds games regularly
• You enjoy methodical bankroll management
• You set stop-loss and session limits

Avoid it if:

• You’re uncomfortable with increasing bet sizes
• You want quick action or minimal mental tracking

Know When to Walk Away

Whether you complete a sequence in profit or things get dicey mid-run, it’s smart to set your own session limits. Don’t be afraid to cut a sequence short if it’s growing unmanageable, or restart with a fresh string of numbers.

As always, never bet more than you’re willing to lose, and only use systems like Labouchere for responsible gambling> No betting system offers guaranteed profits.

Want to try it out? Check out our list of top real money casinos with fair roulette, baccarat, and blackjack tables to give the Labouchere system a spin.