Labouchere roulette strategy

Originating from the British journalist Henry Labouchere, this even money bets strategy has existed for a long time, becoming a well-known approach among roulette players.

How the Labouchere roulette betting system works

The Labouchere roulette system makes for one of the unique betting strategy approaches when playing the roulette game. Before you begin playing, the strategy suggests deciding how much you would be looking to win, followed by backtracking to create a sequence of numbers that would add up to that total amount.

For example, a sequence for wanting to win £20 could look like the following; 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 2.

When placing your first bet, you would take the number at the beginning of the sequence and combine it with the number at the end of the sequence to give you a total bet value. In this example, you would have 2+2 = 4. Meaning your initial bet would be £4.00.

During the betting round, you will need to select an even-money bet to place your wager on. This can include bets such as Odd/Even, Red/Black and High/Low.

If the following round ended in you winning your bet, you would then remove those two numbers (2 & 2) from the sequence. In the next round, you would then use the next numbers that are listed at the beginning and end of the sequence, which in this example, would be 2 and 4.

In the scenario where your initial bet resulted in a loss, you would avoid removing any numbers and add the number to the end of the original sequence, leaving you with the numbers; 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4. In your next bet, you would combine 2+4 to give you a total bet value of £6.00.

As with all roulette strategies, there is no guarantee of winning, as the game is based on random chance. Taking this into consideration, if you do experience a losing streak, it is important to know when to stop, as using a strategy to recover losses can result in significant losses.

Labouchere system variants

Labouchere also has its variants, offering slight tweaks to the way the strategy is applied.

Reverse Labouchere System - This variant uses many similar principles, guiding you to set out a sequence of numbers and form your initial bet with the first and last numbers. If your initial bet is successful, you will then add the bet amount to the end of the sequence. A loss would mean that you would cross out the first and last numbers, making it the reverse of the original strategy. Compared to the original, this version could be more progressive if you experience a streak of wins, leading to higher stakes.

Splitting - This variation can enable you to manage your sequence and stakes if you experience a losing streak. For this variant, you could split high sequences into smaller individual sequences. The only requirement is that the numbers total the amount that you set initially.

Labouchere strategy pros and cons

The main advantage for players choosing the Labouchere roulette strategy is the objective element it brings. As you win, you cross off numbers from the sequence with the aim of completing it.

Again, a losing streak is possible, meaning the bet value could rise significantly without you receiving any form of win. Although this is a progressive approach to playing, it is not as aggressive as some of the other roulette strategies available, such as the Martingale betting system so your bet amount is not as likely to rise as high and as quickly.

The biggest disadvantage with the Labouchere roulette strategy is the likelihood of experiencing losing streaks. Within roulette, the house edge means that you are always at a disadvantage, making losing streaks a likely possibility. As you experience a streak of losses, your bet value can quickly exceed the amount you would win back. In this case, it is crucial to avoid chasing losses.

Labouchere strategy FAQs

Q. Does the Labouchere roulette strategy work?

Although the strategy has its pros and cons, it is worth noting that it does not guarantee you a specific outcome. At the beginning of the strategy, you are guided to set a sequence of numbers based on how much you would like to win - This does not mean that you are certain to win this amount, as the outcome will be based on random chance.

Q. What is the cancellation system?

The cancellation system is another name for the Labouchere betting system, but it uses all the same principles and rules when applying it in a game of roulette. You might also find the system listed as the split Martingale strategy.