Labouchere Betting System

This Labouchere System is fairly simple. The basic idea is that you can make up for loses by wagering more on the next bet and that all bets will even out. The first thing that a player must do is determine how much money they want to or can win with their bankroll by playing bets with even odds.  Thus, if you want to win $100, you need to divide your bets into a series of units that total $100. This sum must be broken up into an even number of wagers. 

 

The Reverse Labouchere System asks that you determine how much you’re willing to risk and lose and is based on winning streaks. It is much more aggressive than its counterpart. 

 

 

With the Labouchere System you may decide to create a list of 10 wagers. They can be broken up in any way. Here’s an example: 5, 15, 10, 5, 5, 20, 10, 5, 10, 15. You take the number furthest on the left and that on the right, combine them and wager that amount. Here is a sequence of bets using the Labouchere System:

 

• Take $5 + $15 = $20.

• Wager $20. If you win cross out those two numbers from your list.

• Next you add $15+$10 = $25.

• Wager $25. If you win, you cross those two numbers out and go to the next two.

• Let’s assume you lost. You take the $25 and put it at the end of the line.

• You combine the next number on the left with the new number on the right.

• Take $10 + $25 = $35.

• The betting continues with numbers being crossed off as you win and added to the right as you lose.

 

With the Reverse Labouchere System, each time you win, you take that sum and put it at the end of the line. You then wager using the first and new last number on your line. Lets take a look at how the Reverse Labouchere System works with our same numbers: 5, 15, 10, 5, 5, 20, 10, 5, 10, 15. This time the $100 represents the total amount of cash you stand to lose.

 

• Your first wager is $5+$15 - $20.

• If you win, you put the $20 at the end of the line.

• Your next wager would be $5+$20 = $25. 

• Let’s say you win again. Now you bet $5+$25= $30.

• If you lose that bet, you cross out the 5 on the left and 30 on the right and go to the next two numbers--$15+$10 = $25. 

• Wager the $25. If you win, add to the line; if you lose eliminate those two numbers and continue on.

• You play until you either go bust or reach the table limit. 

 

 

The Labouchere System is problematic for a few reasons with the primary one being the strain it can put on your bankroll. Although not as aggressive as the Martingale, you could easily go through $200 and not win. 

 

The best thing about the Reverse Labouchere System is it limits your loses. However, it’s based on maintaining a fairly consistent winning streak, which is never easy to do even with bets that offer even odds.

 

Both systems are used today. Neither guarantees you’ll win but one thing is for sure, the Labouchere System does help you control your bankroll.