How to Use The Labouchere Roulette Strategy

Much like many casino games, roulette is known as a game of chance. However, this doesn’t mean that certain strategies can’t be employed to add structure to the way of betting. There are various techniques available, all of which call for a different approach. However, if you’re looking for a slightly more detailed and complex approach to your roulette gameplay, then the Labouchère roulette system is just that.

This guide will give you all the information you need about the Labouchère system in roulette, a real-world example, and the pros and cons.

What Is the Labouchère Strategy?

Created by Henry Labouchère, the Labouchère roulette system is considered trickier than, say, the Fibonacci or Martingale methods. However, it can become more clear when applied in a game, as it’s essentially a system of cancellation. The good news is that it can also be applied to many casino games, not just roulette.

The Labouchère roulette strategy is better applied to even money bets. This is red/black, odd/even, or numbers 1-18/19-36. Inside bets increase the chances of a bigger loss as they do not add up.

The first thing you need to do if you want to use this betting system is decide on an amount you are aiming for. You then break up your win amount into smaller numbers. However you decide to do this is down to the player.

During the game, you need to take the last numbers on the left-hand side and the right-hand side and add them up – this is your stake amount. A winning bet means that you get to cross out the two numbers from your sequence that have just been used.

This process goes on until all the numbers in your sequence have been crossed out. If all numbers are crossed out, the objective amount will be reached. However, the strategy does not guarantee that you will hit this amount because roulette is a game of random chance, therefore you could encounter more losses than wins.

Should you lose a bet, the sequence then looks a little different. You no longer strike out any numbers from either side. Rather, you add your bet amount to the right-hand side of all your numbers. The point of this is to include it in your next wager as a way to cover the previous loss, which is why even-money bets are selected for this system.

All you need to remember in the Labouchère roulette strategy are two actions that you need to perform:

After a win, the smaller number sequence must have numbers crossed out on both the left and right-hand sides. After a loss, no numbers in the sequence should be crossed out. Instead, you add that loss amount to the right-hand side to form part of your next wager. This is done to attempt to make up for your previous loss.

A great aspect of the Labouchère roulette system is that you can break up your initial sequence however you wish. For example, a longer sequence could be used if preferred over a shorter one. On the other hand, your wager amounts increase significantly if you have a few losses concurrently, which is why sticking to your selected numbers is a big aspect of this system. Changing the numbers will break the system.

How to Use the Labouchère Strategy

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to use the Labouchere strategy in a game of roulette:

1. Set an objective: Make a decision on a win amount you are aiming for – for example, £10.
2. Create a sequence: Break up your goal amount into a smaller sequence of numbers that equals 10 – for example, 1, 2, 4, 1, 2.
3. Bet your first amount: This amount should be a combination of the last number on the left and the last number on the right of your smaller sequence. In this instance, it would be 1 + 2, so this makes your first wager £3.
4. Adjust accordingly: If you win, you cross out the numbers in the sequence you just used (1 and 2). If you lose, you add that number to the end of your sequence on the right-hand side (3). This sequence will now be 1, 2, 4, 1, 2, 3.
5. Repeat the steps: You can now play until all the numbers in your smaller sequence have been crossed out. Similarly, if you are only adding numbers to the right-hand side of your sequence, you should stop when you have reached your budget amount for losses. You should always avoid chasing losses which is why it is important to have a budget for roulette.

Example of the Labouchère Strategy in Action

Real-world examples are always easier to grasp the system. Let’s take a look at the Labouchère roulette system when applied to a few rounds of roulette:

The Pros of the Labouchère Strategy

• Budget management: Being able to physically see the breakdown of your bets means that you can keep to your budget.
• Structured Format: Labouchere is designed around a structured format with a goal amount in mind, which then outlines stakes which align with the amount you would like to play with. This also helps to keep control of your budget and avoid chasing losses.

The Cons of the Labouchère Strategy

• Potentially too structured: The system is based on the assumption that all numbers will be crossed out, however, wins are not guaranteed which could mean that the sequence is never completed. Always play with a budget in place to avoid losing track with the system.
• Complex: The system requires effort and attention to ensure that you don’t lose track of the sequence. Sticking to the sequence is a key part of this system working.

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