TablesRules

Labouchere betting system: crossing numbers off a list

The Labouchere starts with a short list of numbers. Each bet is the first number plus the last. A win crosses both off; a loss adds the lost amount to the end of the list.

Reviewed Oct 14, 2026

Answer first

90s

List	Bet	Result	New list
1-2-3-4	5	Win	2-3
2-3	5	Loss	2-3-5
2-3-5	7	Win	3
3	3	Win	Done: +10

Key numbers

Labouchere at a glance

First + lastEach bet sizeFrom the current list

Sum of listTarget profit1-2-3-4 aims for 10

2 for 1Win vs loss effectA win removes two numbers, a loss adds one

5.26%Edge on a 00 wheelUnchanged by the list

In short

Key takeaways

A win removes two numbers and a loss adds only one, so you can finish with fewer wins than losses.
Bets grow as the list grows, and a long losing run can make them very large.
The target profit is fixed when you write the list, which makes sessions feel planned.
The system changes bet sizes, never the chance of winning a spin.

On the wheel

Even-money spots the system uses

Black
18 pockets win a black bet
Greens on a 00 wheel
Both lose every even-money bet
Odd
Same 47.4% chance as black

Every even-money spot on a double-zero wheel wins 18 times in 38.

A longer session with $5 units, list 1-2-3-4

Spin	List before	Bet	Result
1	1-2-3-4	$25	Loss
2	1-2-3-4-5	$30	Loss
3	1-2-3-4-5-6	$35	Win
4	2-3-4-5	$35	Loss
5	2-3-4-5-7	$45	Win
6	3-4-5	$40	Win
7	4	$20	Win — list done, +$50

Three losses and four wins still reach the $50 target, but bets reached $45 on the way.

Why the list can explode

Each loss adds a number equal to the full bet, so the last number keeps rising. After a few losses, every bet is far bigger than the first.

A run of six or seven losses on a short list can push the bet to many times the starting size and run into the table maximum.

Sequence

Running the Labouchere

Step 01
Write a list
For example 1-2-3-4, in units.
Step 02
Bet first plus last
With one number left, bet that number.
Step 03
Win: cross off both ends
The list gets shorter by two.
Step 04
Lose: add the bet to the end
The list gets longer by one.
Step 05
Stop when the list is gone
Or when you hit your loss limit.

Choosing a list

Short lists like 1-2-3 finish fast but aim for a small profit. Longer lists such as 1-1-1-1-1-1 start with tiny bets and grow more slowly.

Any list works the same way in the long run. The total expected loss is the total amount bet times the house edge.

The reverse Labouchere

The reverse version adds a number after a win and crosses off after a loss. It loses small amounts often and wins big on a hot streak.

It has the same edge as the normal version. It only changes the shape of the swings.

Floor rules

Labouchere terms

Know before you sit

Cancellation system: Another name for the Labouchere.
Line: The written list of numbers.
Split the list: Breaking a long list into two shorter ones; it does not reduce the debt.
Reverse Labouchere: The version that grows after wins.

A worked losing run

Start with 1-2-3-4 and $5 units. Lose four spins in a row and the bets go $25, $30, $35 and $40. You are $130 down and the list reads 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8.

The next bet is $45. Two wins in a row bring you back close to even, but two more losses push the bet past $50.

Common mistakes

Splitting the list to feel safer: Splitting a long list spreads the debt across two lists. The money still needs to be won back.
Using a long list with big units: Large units turn a normal losing run into a bet near the table maximum quickly.
Playing on a 00 wheel: A single-zero wheel cuts the cost of every bet by almost half.
Restarting the list after a bad session: A fresh list hides the loss but does not recover it.

Keep reading

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After the 90 seconds

Questions before and after you play

A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.

01How it works

What is the Labouchere system?

A betting method where you write a list of numbers, bet the sum of the first and last, cross them off after a win and add the bet to the end after a loss.

How much does the Labouchere win?

The sum of the starting list. With 1-2-3-4 and $5 units, finishing the list wins $50.

Why can it work with fewer wins than losses?

A win removes two numbers but a loss adds only one. In theory, a little over one win in three can clear the list.

02Risk

What is the danger of the Labouchere?

Losing runs make the list and the bets grow fast. A long run can hit the table maximum or your bankroll limit.

Does the Labouchere beat roulette?

No. Each spin has the same house edge, so the long-run cost is the total amount bet times that edge.

Is the reverse Labouchere safer?

It risks less per losing run but wins less often. Its long-run cost is the same.

03Practice

Which game suits the Labouchere?

Even-money bets on single-zero roulette, or the pass line in craps, because they have low edges and simple pays.

Do casinos allow it?

Yes. Writing a list at the table is fine as long as you follow the table limits.

What list should a beginner use?

A short list like 1-1-1-1 with a small unit keeps early bets low and the target modest.

Sources

Wizard of Odds — Labouchere Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Rules, odds and house edge
Wizard of Odds — Roulette Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Rules, odds and house edge
Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 14, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER