Labouchere Roulette Strategy – Negative Progression for a Positive Game
Let’s lay the foundation and explain what the Labouchere system actually is. But first, it’s important to set an achievable goal – that is, how much you would like to win. We always recommend gambling in moderation and setting clear limits on what you can afford to lose, as well as knowing when to take your winnings and walk away.
The Labouchere strategy is meant to work with even bets only. This means that it can be used when you are betting on red and black, even and odd or the numbers from 1 to 18 and from 19 to 36. They are the ones with a probability of winning of a bit less than 50%. To use the system with inside bets is not a good idea if you don’t know roulette well.
What you need to do, if you’re aiming for a win of £100, is to break that amount into smaller parts and arrange them in a sequence. For example, you could use 10 – 10 – 10 – 20 – 20 – 20 – 10, which adds up to £100. Once done with this, you will be ready to start. Before we continue with the explanation, it’s important to note that this system is known by several names: – “the crossout strategy”, ‘the cancellation system’ and ‘the split martingale’.
How to Use the Labouchere ‘Crossout’ Strategy
To explain to you how to use the Labouchere system, we have created a short guide with the steps you must follow. We made every effort to be as clear as possible to avoid any confusion. It is always advisable, though, to try any new strategy for free the first time, or if it is not possible, at least to be on a table with low stakes. If you have experience with this betting system, you can go directly to our page where we evaluate the best casinos for online roulette and sign up for an account on one of the platforms.
- Step 1: Decide the Amount You Want to Win This really is the first thing you should do. For the sake of the guide, we will take the amount of £100 as our goal.
- Step 2: Divide the Number Into Smaller Sections You must split our hundred into smaller sections that must add up to the total amount of your desired win. So, here we go: 10 – 10 – 10 – 20 – 20 – 20 – 10.
- Step 3: Place a Bet To understand what the amount of your bet must be, you should sum up the first and the last number of the sequence above. In this case, it is £20.
- Step 4: Win: Cross Out Numbers If you win, you must cross out the numbers which formed your bet. And you will be left with a sequence of 10 – 10 – 20 – 20 – 20, making your next bet £30.
- Step 5: Loss: Add the Number If you lose, you should add the loss to the rightmost part of the sequence and include it in your next bet. Like this: 10 – 10 – 10 – 20 – 20 – 20 – 10 – 20.
How the Labouchere System Can Help You and How It Can Fail You
The Labouchere system is relatively easy to execute, but it takes some time to start using it comfortably. Also, the progression is not very steep, so it can be applied with different budgets. As with any other gambling strategy, luck needs to be on your side for positive results to occur.
- Flat Progression
- Keeps Tabs on Wins/Losses
- Sequence Can Be Endless
- Does Not Improve the Odds
If you go on a losing streak, the Labouchere sequence will become way too long, and in one moment, you will have a hard time funding bets. Technically, in case of many repetitive losses, you will still have to be increasing your bets to compensate. This is the flaw in any betting progression because it goes against the responsible gambling principle of not chasing losses.
Labouchere System – The Odds of the Crossout Strategy
The Labouchere system is a useful way to keep track of your bets, but it cannot improve your odds in any way. It works with outside bets, which are less risky than inside bets, and following the sequence provides a more structured approach to betting and potentially regaining losses. Still, nothing can remove the house edge.
| Bet Number | Sequence | Stake | Losses | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 10 – 10 – 10 – 20 – 20 – 20 – 10 | 20 | – | 40 |
| 2. | 10 – 10 – 20 – 20 – 20 | 30 | – | 60 |
| 3. | 10 – 20 – 20 | 30 | 30 | – |
| 4. | 10 – 20 – 20 – 30 | 40 | 40 | – |
| 5. | 10 – 20 – 20 – 30 – 40 | 50 | 50 | – |
| 6. | 10 – 20 – 20 – 30 – 40 – 50 | 60 | – | 120 |
| 7. | 20 – 20 – 30 – 40 | 60 | 60 | – |
| 8. | 20 – 20 – 30 – 40 – 60 | 80 | – | 160 |
| 9. | 20 – 30 – 40 | 60 | – | 120 |
| 10. | 30 | 30 | – | 60 |
| Total: | 460 | 180 | 560 | |
| Net Gains: | 100 |
As you can see in the table above, we’ve created an example of ten rounds, with 6 wins and 4 losses. This is a fairly realistic scenario in which you need to be prepared to wager £460 in pursuit of a win that’s nearly five times smaller. A losing streak of more than three rounds, like the one shown, can make things even more difficult. As we mentioned, the house edge cannot be beaten, and it ultimately prevails.
That said, the Labouchere system is still a good starting point. In this example, we’re aiming for a win of £100, but the strategy can be adjusted and look very different when your target is much smaller than a hundred pounds. As long as luck is on your side, this method can be a solid one to follow. However, it won’t help you break the bank or shift the odds in your favour. I
Modifications and Improvements of the Labouchere Strategy
A good thing about the Labouchere roulette strategy is that it is flexible, and you can modify it to fit your needs better. In case you get on a losing streak the required bets will get too high to handle, bringing way too much risk in your gameplay. In such a case, you can split the numbers by creating several smaller sequences that will still add up to the same total. This way, instead of betting large, unrealistic amounts, you can place smaller bets over a longer period.
Reverse Labouchere System – A Brand New Strategy
The origin, location, and individual responsible remain unknown, but the concept of a reverse Labouchere system must have been conceived by someone who understands betting progression. In this one, instead of removing the numbers when you win and adding them when you lose, you do the exact opposite. You remove them from the sequence in case you get unlucky, and you add them if you actually won. This will result in two things. First, your losses will likely be smaller in amount, and second, if the ball of the roulette decides to cooperate, you could potentially leave the table with a significant sum.
Henry Labouchere – The Creator and His Inspirations
Since we’re reviewing the Labouchere system, it’s important to understand its origins. Henry Labouchere was born in 1931 and was a well-known English politician, writer and even an owner of a theatre. His legacy, however, is complex, with his reputation marked by both acclaim and controversy. He studied at Eton and Trinity College, but he had his degree withheld because of cheating during an exam. At the same time, he himself admitted to having lost more than six thousand pounds because of gambling for barely two years in college.
He was offered diplomatic status, started a political career, and occupied himself with journalism and editing. Labouchere even had his own weekly journal called ‘Truth’, and his style was liked by many. His ideas, on the other hand, were not accepted by many since Henry Labouchere had very conservative views. His entire life was literally on the roulette wheel, constantly spinning and changing. We don’t know when or how he developed his roulette strategy, but he did leave around half a million pounds sterling to his daughter when he died in 1912.
Labouchere Theory Compared to Other Roulette Strategies
We thought that it would be a good idea to make some sort of comparison between Labouchere and the other famous betting systems that are around. Below, you can check out the most important differences and what each of the systems has to offer.
Labouchere vs Martingale
As we explain in our dedicated guide to the Martingale system, this is the easiest strategy to follow, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the best option. The idea behind it is to double your bet after every loss, which can quickly lead to large wagers. While it’s designed to help you recoup your losses when you eventually win, the risk of escalating bets is significant. The difference between the Martingale and the Labouchere is that the latter is more complex and requires more practice to master.
Labouchere vs Fibonacci
The Fibonacci system, compared with the Labouchere one, appears even more complicated and is not particularly suitable for inexperienced players unless you plan to bring a notebook to the roulette table. There is a number sequence – the Fibonacci numbers – where each is the sum of the two previous ones. Those numbers represent your bets. What players do is move two positions back when they win and go to the next position when they lose. The Labouchere system, on the other hand, is more straightforward, and you will have fewer troubles.
Labouchere vs D’Alembert
The D’Alembert strategy is very similar to the Martingale one, making it, by default, easier to work with than the Labouchere. It works on even bets as well. What you have to do is to decide your bet (between 0.33% and 0.50% of the total amount of your bankroll). Then you bet, and if you win, you don’t change your next bet. If you lose, you must increase it with one unit.
Try the Roulette Strategy for Real Money
We gave you vital information about the Labouchere system in terms of roulette play, and we hope that we did it well enough for you to understand it fully. Keep in mind that no matter which one of the roulette strategies we discuss on our site you use, the house edge is always present, and nothing can guarantee you a win.
When researching the best roulette sites, always make sure the one you end up choosing holds a licence from the UKGC, as is the case with all platforms we recommend. This will ensure you are playing on a safe and compliant platform that is regulated by a competent authority. What’s more, under these conditions, you can be certain that the bonus offers have transparent terms and conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Players who are interested in the Labouchere system always search for practical information regarding its structure and applications. We’ve identified the most common questions found online and provided answers to offer you the needed insights.