Paroli vs Labouchere

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

Paroli Strategy

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

conservativesimplepositive progression

Labouchere Strategy

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

aggressivecomplexnegative progression

10,000 Simulated Sessions Each: Paroli vs Labouchere

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	Paroli	Labouchere
Sessions ended in profit	29.4%	46.2%
Average session result	−$112	−$84
Average spins per session	493	47
Average worst drawdown	−$232	−$408
Best single session	$515	$525
Worst single session	−$500	−$960
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 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

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

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.