Labouchere vs Oscar's Grind

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

Labouchere Strategy

Create a sequence of numbers and bet the sum of first and last. Cross out on win, add on loss.

aggressivecomplexnegative progression

Oscar's Grind Strategy

Increase bet by one unit after a win, keep same after a loss. Goal is to win one unit per cycle.

conservativemoderatepositive progression

10,000 Simulated Sessions Each: Labouchere vs Oscar's Grind

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	Labouchere	Oscar's Grind
Sessions ended in profit	46.2%	28.8%
Average session result	−$84	−$130
Average spins per session	47	485
Average worst drawdown	−$408	−$254
Best single session	$525	$510
Worst single session	−$960	−$510
Hit the table limit	0.5%	—

In this run, Labouchere came out ahead on both measures — more sessions in profit and a smaller average loss. The house edge still won overall: both averaged a losing session.

How Labouchere sessions ended

Losing sessionsWinning sessions

Lost over $800

1.1%

Lost $400–$800

52.3%

Lost $100–$400

0.4%

Lost up to $100

Won up to $100

Won $100–$400

Won $400–$800

46.2%

Won over $800

How Oscar's Grind sessions ended

Losing sessionsWinning sessions

Lost over $800

Lost $400–$800

14.8%

Lost $100–$400

40%

Lost up to $100

15.7%

Won up to $100

12.4%

Won $100–$400

15.4%

Won $400–$800

1.6%

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.