The complex "cancellation system" that can lead to massive bets and devastating losses.
The Labouchere system (also called the "Cancellation System" or "Split Martingale") was invented by Henry Labouchere, a British politician and writer. It uses a sequence of numbers to determine bet sizes, with the goal of crossing out all numbers to achieve profit when the sequence is completed.
Starting Sequence: 1-2-3-4
Goal: Win $10 (sum of all numbers)
| Spin | Sequence | Bet | Outcome | Running Total | New Sequence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1-2-3-4 | $5 (1+4) | Win | +$5 | 2-3 |
| 2 | 2-3 | $5 (2+3) | Loss | $0 | 2-3-5 |
| 3 | 2-3-5 | $7 (2+5) | Loss | -$7 | 2-3-5-7 |
| 4 | 2-3-5-7 | $9 (2+7) | Win | +$2 | 3-5 |
| 5 | 3-5 | $8 (3+5) | Win | +$10 | Complete! |
Result: Sequence completed! We achieved our $10 goal despite having more losses (3) than wins (2).
The target profit equals the sum of all numbers in your starting sequence. You can choose any sequence, which determines both your goal and betting pattern.
Examples:
• 1-1-1 = $3 target (conservative)
• 1-2-3-4-5 = $15 target (aggressive)
• 2-2-2-2 = $8 target (moderate)
When you lose, the bet amount gets added to the sequence, making it longer. Losing streaks cause sequences to grow rapidly and bet sizes to escalate.
Example escalation:
• Start: 1-2-3
• After 3 losses: 1-2-3-6-8-9
• Next bet: $10 (1+9)
You control the goal amount and sequence
Timing of wins matters more than quantity
Complex enough to keep players interested
Satisfying when sequences complete
Easy to make mistakes with sequences
Long losing streaks create massive bets
Can't continue when bets exceed limits
Can lose much more than target profit
Spin 1: Bet $4 (1+3) → LOSE → Sequence: 1-2-3-4
Spin 2: Bet $5 (1+4) → LOSE → Sequence: 1-2-3-4-5
Spin 3: Bet $6 (1+5) → LOSE → Sequence: 1-2-3-4-5-6
Spin 4: Bet $7 (1+6) → LOSE → Sequence: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7
Spin 5: Bet $8 (1+7) → LOSE → Sequence: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8
Total lost so far: $30 to achieve a $6 target!
Add bet amount after wins, cross out numbers after losses. Aims to capitalize on winning streaks while limiting losses.
Set limits on sequence length or maximum bet size to control risk.
The system often achieves its profit target because you can win with fewer wins than losses. This creates an illusion of success, but each "win" risks increasingly larger amounts.
While you might complete many sequences successfully, one bad run can wipe out all previous profits and much more. The risk-to-reward ratio becomes increasingly unfavorable.
Like all betting systems, Labouchere doesn't change the house edge. The complex calculations mask the fact that you're still losing 2.7% of total bets over time on European roulette.
Start with sequence: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Bet sum of first and last numbers. Win: remove those numbers. Loss: add bet amount to end. Target: $75 per sequence.
| Factor | Labouchere | Martingale | D'Alembert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complexity | Very High | Low | Low |
| Bet Growth | Variable/High | Exponential | Linear |
| Risk Level | High | Very High | Medium |
| Profit Control | High | Fixed | Variable |
Labouchere is one of the most dangerous betting systems. While it offers flexibility and can achieve targets with fewer wins than losses, the complexity and potential for catastrophic losses make it unsuitable for most players.
See firsthand how complex and dangerous the Labouchere system can be in our risk-free simulator.
⚠️ Test Labouchere Strategy