1️⃣ What is the principle of the Labouchere strategy?

The principle of the strategy is to create a sequence and work with it. To create a sequence according to which you will bet, you need to determine the profit you want to achieve. If you choose, for example, £20, you put together a sequence of any numbers that, when added together, have a value of £20. Then you always bet the sum of the first and last numbers. When you win, you cross out two numbers (the first and last), while when you lose, you add only one number (your last bet).

2️⃣ Who is the strategy suitable for?

The Labouchere strategy is definitely suitable for players who want to diversify their game in some way and at the same time take a little risk. For the strategy, it is good to have a high bankroll that you can lose. At the same time, you will also practice discipline on a strategy based on following a set sequence. But of course, it depends on each player.

3️⃣ Is it worth using the Labouchere strategy?

As with all strategies, Labouchere cannot guarantee a profit. No strategy, no matter how good or sophisticated, can overcome the probability and chance of roulette.

Labouchere Strategy: Principle, Practical Example and Review

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31.3.2026

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Ever since roulette was first played, people have been trying to find strategies to help them beat it. One of them is the Labouchere strategy. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know before using it in the game and whether it is even worth it.

All about the Labouchere strategy

Strategy principle
Labouchere Strategy in Practice
Best ranked Casinos for roulette games:
Is it worth using the Labouchere strategy?
History of the strategy
FAQ – frequently asked questions and answers

Strategy principle

Unlike other strategies, the Labouchere strategy requires more interaction from the player. Thanks to this, the game moves to a completely different level, because in addition to the game itself, it is also necessary to constantly work with a set sequence.

The principle of the strategy is that when you win, you cross out two numbers (the first and last in the sequence), while when you lose, you add only one number (your last bet).
To create a sequence according to which you will bet, you need to determine the profit you want to achieve. If you choose, for example, £20, you put together a sequence of any numbers that, when added together, have a value of 20.

Labouchere is classified as a strategy with a so-called negative progression. This means that it increases when you lose and decreases after you win. This method should therefore lead to the optimization of profits and losses and reduce the latter to a minimum.

You can bet on so-called straight bets, or bets with a payout ratio of 1 to 1 (black/red, even/odd, high/low 18).

Labouchere Strategy in Practice

However, it will be best to show the strategy on a specific case that will help with a better understanding of the bets and the procedure.

Preparation:

Sequence: 2 – 3 – 5 – 2 – 3 – 5
Desired profit: £20
Bet: black color
Bankroll: £50

Round	Sequence	Bet	Round results	Bet result	Profit
1.	2 – 3 – 5 – 2 – 3 – 5	£7	Red 7 = Loss	– £7	–£7
2.	2 – 3 – 5 – 2 – 3 – 5 – 7	£9	Red 25 = Loss	– 9	–£16
3.	2 – 3 – 5 – 2 – 3 – 5 – 7 – 9	£11	Black 11 = Win	+ 22	–£5
4.	3 – 5 – 2 – 3 – 5 – 7	£10	Black 26 = Win	+ 20	£5
5.	5 – 2 – 3 – 5	£10	Red 16 = Loss	– 10	–£5
6.	5 – 2 – 3 – 5 – 10	£15	Red 5 = Loss	– 15	–£20
7.	5 – 2 – 3 – 5 – 10 – 15	£20	Black 13 = Win	+ 40	£0
8.	2 – 3 – 5 – 10	£12	Black 15 = Win	+ 24	+£12
9.	3 – 5	£8	Black33 = Win	+ 16	+£20

Within nine spins we were lucky and achieved the desired win. Our sequence now ends and we leave the table with £20 in the plus, which was our goal.

Although the game was up and down and at one point we got to a relatively high loss, a successful series at the end allowed us to get the desired profit.

Example No. 2:

In the second example we will show what a negative profit could look like:

Round	Sequence	Bet	Round Results	Bet Results	Profit
1.	2– 3 – 5 – 2 – 3 – 5	£7	Red34 = Loss	– £7	–£7
2.	2 – 3 – 5 – 2 – 3 – 5 – 7	£9	Black 20 = Win	+ £18	£2
3.	3 – 5 – 2 – 3 – 5	£8	Black 28 = Win	+ £16	£10
4.	5 – 2 – 3	£8	Green 0 =Loss	– £8	£2
5.	5 – 2 – 3 – 8	£13	Red 14 = Loss	– £13	–£15
6.	5 – 2 – 3 – 8 – 13	£18	Black 4 = Win	+ £36	£3
7.	2 – 2 – 3 – 8	£10	Red 9 = Loss	– £10	–£7
8.	2 – 2 – 3 – 8 – 10	£12	Red 1 = Loss	– £12	–£19
9.	2 – 2 – 3 – 8 – 10 – 12	£14	Red 18 = Loss	– £14	–£33
10.	2 – 2 – 3 – 8 – 10 – 12 – 14	£16	Red 23 =Loss	– £16	–£49

In this example we see that even though you may be doing well at first and almost finish the sequence, the cards can quickly turn and you will lose everything. Here we have exhausted our entire bankroll and cannot continue the game.

Advantages and disadvantages of the strategy

Simplicity - the principle of the sequence is easy to understand, you can set it up however you like and it adds a fun element to the game
Profit opportunity - you can reach interesting amounts during winning streaks

Quick losses - on the contrary, with repeated losses, the stakes increase and you can quickly lose everything

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Is it worth using the Labouchere strategy?

The Labouchere strategy is quite risky. In the case of unsuccessful series, the bets climb really high and for some it can be difficult to maintain this pace until the desired profit is achieved.

Problems can also arise in the casino limits in cases where the bets climb too high. This limitation can then lead to the fact that there will be practically no chance of making a profit even with unlimited capital.

Simply put, it depends on each player. The key is to clearly set the limits beyond which you are not willing to go. Labouchere then adds extra fun by crossing out individual numbers.

However, if you are still afraid of losing, you can try the strategy on free online roulette, where you do not play for real money and do not risk anything.

Otherwise, it does not have many advantages compared to other strategies. You can take a closer look at other types of strategies in the articles below.

You can also check out the general article about the best strategies. Here you will find a comparison and rating of all known types.

History of the strategy

The strategy got its name from the English politician and journalist Henry Du Pré Labouchere, who is also considered its father. Roulette was really extremely popular in political circles at the English court, and it is therefore not surprising that many politically interested members used it as their pastime.

Labouchere himself was considered an avid gambler and liked to come up with various new systems, and this strategy caught on the most.

His goal was to achieve a balance of profits and losses by using a sequence of certain numbers, into which the bankroll is distributed. He also applied his strategies in the casinos of the time, where other players watched them, and his system spread beyond his political surroundings.

FAQ – frequently asked questions and answers

1️⃣ What is the principle of the Labouchere strategy?

The principle of the strategy is to create a sequence and work with it. To create a sequence according to which you will bet, you need to determine the profit you want to achieve. If you choose, for example, £20, you put together a sequence of any numbers that, when added together, have a value of £20. Then you always bet the sum of the first and last numbers. When you win, you cross out two numbers (the first and last), while when you lose, you add only one number (your last bet).
2️⃣ Who is the strategy suitable for?

The Labouchere strategy is definitely suitable for players who want to diversify their game in some way and at the same time take a little risk. For the strategy, it is good to have a high bankroll that you can lose. At the same time, you will also practice discipline on a strategy based on following a set sequence. But of course, it depends on each player.
3️⃣ Is it worth using the Labouchere strategy?

As with all strategies, Labouchere cannot guarantee a profit. No strategy, no matter how good or sophisticated, can overcome the probability and chance of roulette.

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