Labouchere Betting System: The Complete Guide

Picture this: You've just lost three bets in a row. Your heart rate spikes. The voice in your head says "Just double down, you'll win it back..." — and that's exactly when most bettors blow their entire bankroll.

The Labouchere system exists to kill that voice.

Instead of emotional, panic-driven betting, you follow a mechanical process. Every bet is calculated. Every outcome is planned for. Whether you win or lose the next bet, you already know what you'll do next.

I've used this system for years — not because it "beats" the casino (no system does), but because it keeps my betting disciplined and my bankroll alive. By the end of this guide, you'll understand exactly how it works, when to use it, and how to avoid the mistakes that sink most players.

TL;DR — The Labouchere System in 60 Seconds

No time to read everything? Here's the cheat sheet:

That's the entire system. Simple, right? But the magic is in the details — let's break it down.

What Is the Labouchere System?

The Labouchere system — also known as the Cancellation System, Split Martingale, or American Progression — is a negative progression betting strategy. Unlike the Martingale (which doubles bets after losses), Labouchere spreads your losses across multiple smaller wins.

Think of it like this: Imagine you owe $100 to the casino. Instead of trying to win it all back in one desperate bet, Labouchere breaks that debt into pieces and chips away at it systematically.

Why players love it:

• You control the risk level (conservative vs. aggressive sequences)
• Bets don't explode exponentially like Martingale
• Clear visual progress toward your goal
• Works for roulette, blackjack, and sports betting

Why casinos don't mind it:

• House edge still applies on every single bet
• Long losing streaks can drain your bankroll
• Players often abandon the system mid-sequence (worst possible time)

The math doesn't lie: Labouchere won't make you rich. But it will make you a more disciplined bettor — and that's worth more than any "system."

How the Labouchere System Works (Step by Step)

Let's walk through the entire process. I'll use a $100 profit target as our example.

Step 1: Set Your Profit Goal

Decide how much you want to win. Be realistic. Don't set $10,000 if you have$500.

Example: Our goal is $100 profit.

Step 2: Create Your Number Sequence

Split your goal into a sequence of smaller numbers. The sum must equal your goal.

Conservative sequence: 10 - 20 - 40 - 20 - 10 = $100

Aggressive sequence: 30 - 40 - 30 = $100

The more numbers, the slower but safer. Fewer numbers = faster but riskier.

For beginners, I recommend: 20 - 20 - 20 - 20 - 20 = $100

Step 3: Calculate Your Bet

Your bet is always the first number + last number in the sequence.

Our sequence: 10 - 20 - 40 - 20 - 10

First bet: $10 +$10 = $20

If your sequence has only one number left, that number is your bet.

Step 4: After a WIN — Cross Out Both Numbers

You won $20? Congratulations. Now cross out the first AND last numbers:

10 - 20 - 40 - 20 - 10

New sequence: 20 - 40 - 20

Next bet: $20 +$20 = $40

Step 5: After a LOSS — Add the Lost Amount to the End

You lost $40? Add it to the end of the sequence:

20 - 40 - 20 - 40

Next bet: $20 +$40 = $60

Step 6: Repeat Until the Sequence is Empty

When all numbers are crossed out, you've achieved your profit goal. Time to walk away.

Real Session Walkthrough: 20 Bets in Action

Theory is nice. Let's see it work in practice.

Setup:

• Target profit: $100
• Starting sequence: 10 - 20 - 40 - 20 - 10
• Starting bankroll: $500

Wait, that was only 5 bets?

Yes! With some luck, Labouchere finishes quickly. But let's look at a harder session:

See how the sequence grew after losses (bets 1-3), but wins chipped away at it? This is Labouchere in action. Need to track your own sessions? Try our interactive calculator:

Labouchere vs Other Betting Systems

How does Labouchere stack up against other popular systems?

Bottom line: Labouchere offers the best balance of structure and flexibility. It's more controlled than Martingale, more aggressive than D'Alembert, and gives you a clear finish line.

For deeper risk analysis, check our Risk of Ruin Calculator.

Reverse Labouchere: The Opposite Approach

Regular Labouchere adds losses to the sequence. Reverse Labouchere does the opposite: you add wins and remove losses.

How it works:

1. Start with a sequence (same as regular)
2. WIN? Add the won amount to the end
3. LOSE? Cross out first and last numbers
4. Stop when sequence is empty OR you hit a profit target

Why use Reverse Labouchere?

• Capitalizes on winning streaks
• Limits losses (sequence shrinks when losing)
• You control when to stop

The catch:

• Wins more money but less often
• Requires discipline to walk away at the right time
• Most sessions end in small losses

Verdict: Use Regular Labouchere for consistent small wins. Use Reverse for high-risk, high-reward sessions.

Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake #1: Starting with Too Aggressive a Sequence

Wrong: 50 - 50 - 50 (first bet: $100)

Right: 10 - 10 - 10 - 10 - 10 (first bet: $20)

Your first bet should be 1-2% of your bankroll. If you're starting at $100 bets with a$500 bankroll, you're already dead.

Mistake #2: No Stop-Loss Rule

The Labouchere sequence can grow indefinitely. After 10 consecutive losses, your bets become massive.

Rule: If your sequence exceeds 10 numbers, STOP. Reset with a smaller goal tomorrow.

Mistake #3: Abandoning Mid-Sequence

You're down $200, the sequence is long, and you quit. Congratulations — you've locked in your loss.

Reality check: The system only works if you complete it. If you can't commit to finishing, don't start.

Mistake #4: Using Wrong Bet Types

Labouchere requires even-money bets (1:1 payout, ~50% win rate).

Good:

• Roulette: Red/Black, Odd/Even
• Sports: Point spreads at -110. If you bet on sports, understanding alternate spreads and the broader alt points markets can help you find better lines to pair with your Labouchere sequence.
• Blackjack: Main bet (with basic strategy). Look for special blackjack rule variations like Card Charlie to shrink the house edge further. Note: blackjack side bets like Match the Dealer resolve in a single round — use flat bets, not progressions. For a real-world high-stakes strategy, see the math behind Dana White's sessions. And for a look at Mikki Mase's claimed winning strategy compared to proven systems — the math is revealing.

Bad:

• Parlays
• Prop bets
• Any bet with odds far from 2.00

Use our Odds Converter to verify your bets qualify.

Mistake #5: Ignoring Table Limits

If your sequence grows, bets grow too. Eventually, you'll hit the table maximum.

Before you start: Check the table limit. Calculate the worst-case bet if you lose 10 times in a row. Can you still bet? If not, lower your goal.

Bankroll Requirements: How Much Do You Need?

The #1 question everyone asks. Here's the math:

Conservative Estimate

Why So Much?

Labouchere can survive 5-7 consecutive losses. But losing streaks of 10+ happen — and they're more common than most players realize. When they do, your sequence and bets explode. Keeping a detailed loss log also matters for taxes — the 2026 gambling loss deduction rules now cap what you can write off.

Example: Starting sequence 10-10-10-10-10. After 10 losses:

10-10-10-10-10-20-30-50-80-130-210-340

Your next bet: $10 +$340 = $350

That's 17.5x your original $20 bet. Without enough bankroll, you're forced to quit mid-sequence — guaranteeing a loss.

Track your bankroll health with our Bankroll Growth Calculator.

The Math Behind Labouchere

For those who want to understand why the system works (and why it doesn't beat the house):

Why Crossing Out Numbers Works

When you win, you remove TWO numbers but only bet their SUM.

Example: Bet $20 (10 + 10), win$20, cross out both 10s.

You've now recovered $20 of your target while removing$20 from the sequence. This is why the system guarantees profit if you complete the sequence.

Why It Doesn't Beat the House

Every individual bet still has negative expected value:

$EV = P(win) \times Payout - P(lose) \times Bet$

For roulette (18/37 win rate, 1:1 payout):

$EV = 0.486 \times 1 - 0.514 \times 1 = -0.027$

That's -2.7% on every single bet. Labouchere doesn't change this. It just structures your session.

Simple version: The casino still wins 2.7% of every dollar you bet. Labouchere determines how much you bet and when — not whether you have an edge.

For more on expected value, see our Expected Value glossary entry.

Who Should Use Labouchere?

Good Fit:

• Disciplined bettors who can stick to a plan
• People who want structured sessions with clear goals
• Mid-bankroll players ($1,000-$10,000)
• Anyone using even-money bets (roulette, point spreads)
• Sports bettors applying repeatable frameworks — Labouchere pairs naturally with a structured NBA betting system where -110 point spreads match the even-money requirement. For NFL-specific angles, our NFL betting strategy guide covers 5 data-backed systems you can combine with Labouchere sizing

Bad Fit:

• Chasers who can't walk away
• Small bankrolls (under $500)
• Players betting parlays or high-odds bets
• Anyone expecting to "beat" the casino

Honest take: If you've ever said "just one more bet to win it back," Labouchere might help you — or it might give you a more elaborate way to dig a deeper hole. The system requires discipline. If you don't have it, work on that first.

Looking for something simpler at the roulette table? The 24+8 system for roulette requires zero sequence tracking — just place two dozen bets plus 8 straight-up bets to cover 86% of the wheel on every spin.

Final Thoughts: Is Labouchere Worth It?

The truth: Labouchere won't make you rich. The house edge doesn't disappear because you're crossing out numbers on a napkin.

But here's what it will do:

1. Force you to set a specific profit goal before betting
2. Prevent emotional "chase" betting after losses
3. Give you a clear stopping point (win or lose)
4. Make your sessions more intentional and less random

That's worth something. Maybe not billions — but your bankroll will thank you.

Ready to try it? Use our calculator above, start with a small goal, and see how it feels to bet with a plan instead of emotion.

Want to explore more betting strategies?

• Kelly Criterion Calculator — Optimal bet sizing based on edge
• Risk of Ruin Calculator — What are your chances of going broke?
• Martingale Calculator — Compare with doubling-down approach
• Variance in Betting — Why short-term results are random
• Bankroll Management — Fundamentals of protecting your money
• Match the Dealer Blackjack Guide — Casino side bet with real strategy insights
• Special Blackjack Rule Variations Like Card Charlie — Rules that actually reduce the house edge
• Optimal Strategy for Triple Double Bonus Poker — Bankroll management for high-variance video poker
• Cajun Stud Poker guide — learn the best side bets and base game strategy
• Pot committed in poker explained — SPR math, examples, and free calculator
• Baseball Underdog Strategy — how underdog systems work for MLB betting with ROI data