Fibonacci vs Paroli

Which roulette betting strategy is right for you? Compare these two popular systems side-by-side.

Fibonacci Strategy

Follow the Fibonacci sequence for bet sizing, moving forward after losses and back after wins.

aggressivemoderatenegative progression

Paroli Strategy

Double your bet after each win for a set number of wins, then reset.

conservativesimplepositive progression

10,000 Simulated Sessions Each: Fibonacci vs Paroli

We ran both systems through 10,000 simulated sessions on a European wheel under identical conditions: $1,000 bankroll, stopping at $1,500 (win), $500 (loss), or 500 spins.

Measured over 10,000 sessions	Fibonacci	Paroli
Sessions ended in profit	48.9%	29.4%
Average session result	−$135	−$112
Average spins per session	341	493
Average worst drawdown	−$444	−$232
Best single session	$500	$515
Worst single session	−$940	−$500
Hit the table limit	0%	—

In this run, Fibonacci ended more sessions in profit, while Paroli lost less on average — a classic trade-off between win frequency and loss size. Neither beat the house edge.

How Fibonacci sessions ended

Losing sessionsWinning sessions

Lost over $800

10.6%

Lost $400–$800

40.3%

Lost $100–$400

0.1%

Lost up to $100

0.1%

Won up to $100

0.1%

Won $100–$400

12%

Won $400–$800

36.8%

Won over $800

How Paroli sessions ended

Losing sessionsWinning sessions

Lost over $800

Lost $400–$800

9.5%

Lost $100–$400

43.6%

Lost up to $100

16.8%

Won up to $100

13.7%

Won $100–$400

14.9%

Won $400–$800

1.5%

Won over $800

Methodology: fixed-seed runs from our open simulation engine, using the same settings as the strategy guides and interactive simulators — the numbers here match each system's guide page and can be reproduced there. Both systems lose on average because no betting progression changes the house edge; the comparison shows how differently they get there.