The Labouchere System: A Strategy of Balanced Wins and Losses
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Using betting strategies like the Labouchere System is one way players try to even the odds in online roulette. This betting strategy can even be used by sports bettors to help them win more consistently.
The Labouchere method is commonly used at online sportsbooks and casinos. But before you can benefit from this strategy, you first need to learn how to use it.
Keep reading to learn how to use the Labouchere betting strategy to win consistently at online roulette. Also, I will tell you how to adapt this betting strategy to online sports betting as well.
What Is the Labouchere System?
There are many different betting strategies available to online bettors. One of the more complicated systems is the Labouchere betting method.
Unlike many other strategies, like the Martingale System or the Fibonacci System, there are no predetermined multipliers with this strategy. Instead, you decide how much you want to stake each round based on the amount you want to win.
How Does It Work?
To use the Labouchere betting strategy, you first have to decide how much you want to win. Then, you create a list of numbers that will equal your desired amount when they are added together.
For example, Let’s say that you wanted to win $10. In this case, you would make a sequence that looks something like this:
- 1, 3, 6
The numbers in the sequence add up to 10, your desired winning amount. Then, you would take the first and last numbers in the sequence, in this case one and six, and add them together. This number, seven, will be your stake amount.
Then you place your bet with this amount. If you win, then you cross off one and six from the sequence. But if you lose, then you add seven to the end of the sequence and start again.
If there is only one number remaining in the sequence, then that becomes your betting amount. Once you have crossed all of the numbers off the list, you will have achieved your desired winning amount. You can either start a new sequence or call it quits.
Labouchere vs. Martingale System
The Labouchere is often compared to another betting strategy, the Martingale System. In fact, some people even call the Labouchere the Split Martingale.
Both of these betting strategies are progressive betting systems. In other words, you adjust your stake amount based on whether you won or lost your previous wager. However, the Martingale is a true negative betting strategy, so you always double your stake following a loss.
With the Labouchere, on the other hand, your stake amount will depend on the sequence you created. Also, the Martingale is much easier to master as it requires less prep work. In theory, though, both systems should allow you to win money consistently as long as you do not run out of money before completing them.
What Is the Reverse Labouchere?
Like most betting strategies, the Labouchere has inspired new betting methods. For example, there is the Reverse Labouchere. This version turns the betting system into a positive progression strategy, instead of a negative one.
In positive systems, you increase your stakes after a win. So, when you are using the Reverse Labouchere, you add your stake amount to your sequence following a win. You repeat this process until you reach your betting limit, the table’s betting limits, or until you lose.
When you do lose, you eliminate the outside numbers from the sequence. Then, you resume betting with the remaining numbers in the sequence.
Advantages of the Labouchere Method
One of the reasons why the Labouchere betting method has remained popular with roulette players is that it offers players a lot of advantages. For instance, unlike other systems, you do not need long winning streaks to win money with the Labouchere method.
Also, you have more control over how short or long your sequences are. Using the Labouchere or the Reverse Labouchere methods also makes it easy to stick to your betting limits.
You Do Not Need Long Winning Streaks
Arguably the biggest advantage of the Labouchere method is that you can win money if you do not have long winning streaks. It is difficult to win money quickly with other negative progression systems.
Positive progression systems make it easier to win money. However, you also need to risk part or all of your winnings on the next bet for these strategies to work. This creates a huge risk that the user has to assume, and a single loss can derail your chances of winning money.
The Labouchere betting strategy is a more balanced approach. You can steadily progress toward your goal while making up for any losing wagers along the way.
Can Use Short or Long Sequences
Another major advantage of using this betting method is that you have more control over how long your sequences are. For example, you can decide how much money you want to try and win with each sequence.
Other betting systems do not have as clearly defined limits. In theory, the Martingale method will continually increase your stake amount until you win your wager or hit the table’s betting limit. As a result, the Martingale can be very expensive if you hit a losing streak.
Easy to Stick to Your Betting Limits
A third advantage of employing the Labouchere method is that it makes sticking to your betting limits very easy to do. This is especially true for the Reverse Labouchere method.
The original Labouchere strategy allows you to aim for a specific winning amount. This can make it easier to pick up smaller wins that will hopefully add up to a large win in the end. Alternatively, you can use the Reverse Labouchere and minimize the amount that you can lose.
With the Reverse method, you can clearly see how much you are potentially risking each round. When you start to approach your betting limits, you can simply remove numbers from the sequence, so you do not risk too much on a single wager.
How to Use the Labouchere System in Online Roulette
The Labouchere System is not as easy to learn as some other betting strategies. However, it is still popular among real money roulette players. Here is how you can start using the betting strategy in online roulette games in just three steps.
Create Your Sequence
One of the most important parts of using the Labouchere betting strategy is the sequence that you choose to use. Pick a sequence can be easier said than done, though. You may need to find a few different sequences to find the one that works best for you and your betting limits.
Practice With Free Games
Another way to succeed with the Labouchere method is to start with free games. There are many different styles of roulette available online, and this betting strategy can be tricky to master. Starting with free games will give you the chance to master this betting system without spending your hard-earned bankroll.
Stick With Even Money Bets
I mentioned this point above, but it is important enough to reiterate. If you want to use the Labouchere method successfully, then you need to use even money bets. This can be more challenging in online roulette because there are many variations with special side bets.
Can the Labouchere Method Be Used in Sports Betting?
The Labouchere strategy was created for roulette, but it can easily be adapted to work for other casino games. For example, you can use it in other popular games such as blackjack, craps, and baccarat. You can even use this system at real money sportsbooks.
Adapting the Labouchere strategy to sports betting is not as challenging as it may sound. The key is making sure that you pick the right wagers to bet on.
The odds do not change in casino games, so sticking to even money bets is easy to do. But in sports betting, you need to find the right wagers to bet on every time. This usually means staying away from massive moneyline underdogs and large parlay bets.
Instead, you should look for bets that are known for offering odds that are close to even money. Some good places to look include:
- Over/under bets
- Point spreads
- Teasers
Betting on outright winners in 1-vs.-1 sports is also a safe approach. Think boxing or MMA.
Teasers are a special type of parlay bet that allows you to change the numbers you are betting on. You can create teasers that are easier to win and have close to even money odds. Some prop bets also have close to even money payout odds
Have You Tried the Labouchere System?
Roulette is one of the most popular casino games at top gambling sites like Bovada Casino. If you want to have consistent success playing this popular game, then you need to have a great betting strategy. Check out the blog above to learn about the Labouchere System and how to use it to win online roulette.
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