Simple Example of the Labouchere Betting System

Don’t get confused by the name as there is a good chance you’ve heard of the Labouchere betting system before. It’s because the Labouchere betting system is also known as the Split Martingale, the Cancellation System, and the American Progression. Unlike many other betting systems out there, the Labouchere betting system is considered to be one of the most complicated around. Despite being intriguingly difficult to comprehend it is by far one of the most popular as well.

How Does the Labouchere Betting System Work?

Punters who are familiar with it and have used it before having a simple way to describe it. The Labouchere betting system is basically a negative progression system originally used in casino games and roulette most of all. This betting strategy can be as efficient in sports betting however and has established a formidable reputation in the betting world. Labouchere system is a negative progression strategy which means that it requires stakes to be raised after losing bets. Unlike some other closely related strategies such as the Martingale system, this one will not have you attempting to recoup your losses in a single game.

The objective here is to reach the lost amount across multiple bets. Some would go on to compare the Labouchere betting system with Fibonacci sequence bets, but the main difference between the two is that here you determine the amount of profit you want to achieve.

Formula:

x = Number of Wins

y = Number of Losses

Z = Numbers Originally on the List

When:

y + (z/2) ≤ x

Example

To make it more straightforward and to break it down even further – here is an example of a target profit of £300. Labouchere gives you the freedom to determine your own sequence which is why we can randomly break it down to - £40 - £30 - £20 - £15 - £20 - £50 - £40 £ - £15 - £30 - £40. Having decided on your goal, you then need to find a value bet in excess of at least 1/1 betting odds which will allow you to double your original wager. 

Having selected it, it’s time to place your bets. You kick it off with an initial stake which is determined by adding the amount to the left to the amount on the far right. This means your first bet will be - £40 + £40 = £80. If you win, you are required to delete these amounts from the sequence and move on with the same pattern of adding different sums you previously broke down.

The aim here is to move on until you reach your originally set target – in this case, £300.

If your sequence gets interrupted by a losing bet, then the amount invested will need to be added to the end of the sequence. If you get stuck at the beginning, the example used above will require you to add £80 to the far right of your sequence.

It’s as simple as that.

The Labouchere betting system might sound easy and simple but it still represents a serious challenge only a seasoned punter and high-roller would be able to handle in the long run. Betting comes with certain risk and Labouchere does bring certain challenges one of which involves the risk of bankruptcy due to long losing runs.