What is the Labouchere System? – How to use Labouchere & Reverse Labouchere Betting
To make betting more structured and easier to plan, many gamblers use betting systems and gambling strategies. These are a set of rules which control how much the gambler should increase or decrease their bet, usually based on the outcome of the previous bet.
The Labouchere system is one such method, and in this guide, weâll show you what it is and how to use it at Stake.com!
What is the Labouchere Betting System & How Does it Work?
The Labouchere system is a betting strategy named after a British politician and journalist, Henry Labouchere. Throughout his life, he was an avid gambler and devised this system to increase the chance of potential profit while playing roulette games at casinos.
The system is sometimes known as the cancellation system or the split Martingale. As far as betting systems go, itâs pretty complex and takes some time to get used to. Whether youâre playing casino games or betting on sports , you can use this system to manage your bet sizes.
Itâs a negative progression system, which means that bet sizes are increased after a loss. However, unlike other negative progressive betting systems , it doesnât aim to recover all losses from a single large bet. Instead, a larger number of smaller bets are made, decreasing the risk of heavy losses and maximising the benefit of any winning streak.
How is the Labouchere System Used in Casino & Sports Betting?
The goal of the Labouchere system is to reduce the house edge when playing online casino games such as roulette and increase your chances of success. While it doesnât affect the outcome of the game, it can be helpful to create a profit goal and work towards it.
To use this system, you start by creating a profit goal and then write a list using numbers that add up to that goal. Simply add the first and last numbers on the list together and use the sum as your stake each time you bet. If your bet wins, you cross those numbers off. If it loses, you add the stake to the bottom of the list.
Although the system was designed for use with roulette, it works when betting on any table games that offer even money bets. This includes games for playing with crypto or any other currency such as Japanese yen , Canadian dollar , Brazilian reais or Indian rupees . The system is also suitable for sports betting, but only when betting on placing even-money wagers. For example, point spread , over/under and some moneyline bets where thereâs a 50/50 chance of either team winning. Both pre-live and live betting markets are suitable, just make sure you check the betting odds .
Example of Labouchere System Bet
Hereâs an example of how the Labouchere betting system works to help you visualise it better:
Letâs say you start your playing session by creating a profit goal of $20. You then write an initial sequence of numbers that all total up to $20 when added together:
3, 6, 5, 4, 2
You always bet the sum of the first and last numbers on the list. In this example, that would be $5.
When you win a bet, you remove the 2 numbers that made your stake. If you lose, you add your stake to the original sequence.
In this example, letâs imagine youâre following the roulette strategy of betting on black each time. Hereâs how it might go:
| Sequence and Bet | Result | Profit/Loss |
|---|---|---|
| 3, 6, 5, 4, 2 = $5 | Loss | -$5 |
| 3, 6, 5, 4, 2, 5 = $8 | Win | $3 |
| 6, 5, 4, 2 = $8 | Win | $11 |
| 5, 4 = $9 | Loss | $2 |
| 5, 4, 9 = $14 | Win | $16 |
| 4 = $4 | Loss | $12 |
| 4, 4 = $8 | Win | $20 |
This was a fairly straightforward example, but the list can get significantly longer if you suffer multiple losses in a row. Thankfully, youâre still always just adding 2 numbers together, so itâs never too complex.
Which Sports & Casino Games use the Labouchere System?
Labouchere was specifically designed for roulette, though it works for just about any type of online casino game which has a 1:1 payout and close to 50/50 odds. This includes sports betting, but excludes games like scratch cards and online slots . Here are some examples:
- Roulette â If you want to spin the roulette wheel with the Labouchere system, you need to avoid the high-paying inside bets. Stick to the even money options of red/black, odd/even and high/low on the roulette table. These have a lower house edge and keep your losses to a minimum. Check out our guide to playing Roulette online at Stake Casino for more information.
- Blackjack â Playing this card game with basic blackjack strategy gives you one of the best RTP rates of any casino game. Payouts for winning a hand are 1:1, although itâs possible to win higher payouts if you win with a blackjack. Read our guide on how to play Blackjack for a deeper dive in to Blackjack strategies.
- Baccarat â Betting on the banker or player gives you a 1:1 payout if youâre successful. The banker has a slightly higher chance of success, although you do pay a 5% commission on winning bets. For more tips, refer to our guide on how to play online Baccarat.
- Dice â Dice is very simple to play, and you can set the risk and payout based on your preference. Choose the even money odds if youâre playing with the Labouchere system. Learn more about playing Dice games and developing a suitable strategy with our dedicated Dice guide.
Does Labouchere Betting System Work?
Pros
- Set your own profit target and choose the size of the numbers on the list.
- Works well for a lot of casino games and many sports bets.
- Relatively straightforward once you learn the rules.
- The profit target encourages quitting while youâre ahead.
- Makes it simple to decide on your bet size.
Cons
- Increasing stakes after a loss can become an issue on a losing streak.
- It might be complicated for beginners to casino games to learn at first.
- You need a huge bankroll or lots of casino bonuses to survive an extended losing streak.
- Large bets can be too high for the table limit .
- Doesnât actually affect the house edge or your odds of success.
Labouchere Betting System Tips & Strategies
- Choose your target profit and number sequence responsibly â Remember that larger profit targets will require more bets or larger bets to reach. Itâs important to bet responsibly and stay within your limits with our guide. Use our Stake Smart calculator to work out how much you can afford to bet.
- Play games with high RTP rates â Games like blackjack, baccarat and roulette have a lower house edge and higher return to player rates, making them fairer to play. Make sure you choose even-money bets. Check our how-to guides for information on the best playing strategy.
- Know when to stop â Sometimes, you might be playing for a long time without ever reaching your profit target. Itâs important to know when to stop to avoid taking serious losses.
- Try out other betting systems â There are lots of other betting systems you can try, including the Fibonacci betting system and positive progression systems such as the Paroli and 1-3-2-6 systems . Try them out and see which ones you like the best.
What is the Reverse Labouchere System?
Itâs also possible to play the Labouchere system as a positive progression betting system. In the reverse Labouchere system, you increase your stake after a win by adding your stake to the end of the list instead of removing numbers. You keep playing and increasing the list until you reach your set target, but remove the first and last numbers following a loss.
Betting Promotions, VIP Club & Responsible Gambling
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Sign up, make a deposit using any of the accepted payment method s and local currencies or use crypto to instantly add funds and store them safely in the vault . If you donât already have your own cryptocurrency , you can buy some using MoonPay . Once youâre a member, you can join the VIP Club to earn exclusive rewards such as the helpful VIP hosts for playing regularly. Check the VIP FAQ for more information on how to join and increase your level. If you have any other questions, you can contact our helpful customer support .
Join the Stake Chat to enjoy the community aspect of online gambling, and be sure to check out our Stake Smart responsible gambling guide. This way, you can stay in control while enjoying all the fun of the casino.
