Beginner’s Guide To The Reverse Labouchere System

The Reverse Labouchere system is the exact opposite of the popular Labouchere gambling strategy that many players use when betting on casino games.

Both systems follow a structure of cancelling and adding bets to a sequence based on the outcome of the previous bet. However, one is a progressive system and the other is a negative progressive system.

Reverse Labouchere betting can be a little complicated to understand at first, however, it does get easier the more you use it and it also has some advantages.

So, let’s take a closer look at Reverse Labouchere, its principles, origins and see some examples of it in action.

What Is The Reverse Labouchere Betting System?

In order to discuss the Reverse Labouchere betting system we need to understand the Labouchere strategy first. Both use the same foundation, just in opposing ways.

The Labouchere system involves setting a profit target and then creating a sequence of values that act as betting stakes to add up to that target.

A simple example of that could be:

£1 + £2 + £3 + £4 + £5 = £15 Profit

Or

£2 +£4 +£6 + £8 + £10 = £30 Profit

The traditional Labouchere method is to create a sequence of 10 numbers but it isn’t mandatory. As you will see from the scenarios further below, it is often much better to start small.

Setting your betting sequence is where the first difference between Labouchere and Reverse Labouchere can be seen.

The Labouchere sequence is based on the amount of profit you would like to win. If you complete a full sequence then you are guaranteed to win that money and no more than that money.

However, the losses can get extremely high mid-sequence so you have to have the bankroll to be able to weather those losses to complete the sequence.

In contrast, The Reverse Labouchere sequence is based on the amount that you are willing to lose. That means that if you complete a whole sequence the total sum of the sequence is the maximum money that you will lose. In the above examples, the maximum you will lose is £15 and £30 respectively.

In terms of making profits using the Reverse Labouchere sequence, they can be unlimited, you just have to choose when to stop betting.

This fundamental difference between Labouchere and Reverse Labouchere is due to the opposing bet structure of each system.

The Labouchere system involves you betting the first and last numbers in the sequence, and if you win, you cancel those numbers off and move to the next first and last numbers. When you lose, you add the value of the last bet to the end of the sequence and go again, thus increasing your bet size after a loss. This is negative progressive betting.

The Reverse Labouchere system is the exact opposite. You bet the first and last numbers in the sequence, and if you lose you cancel those numbers off and move to the next first and last numbers in the sequence.

Alternatively if you win, you add the value of that bet to the end of the sequence and bet again, thus increasing your bet size after a win. This is progressive betting.

Although this might sound complicated, and in all honesty it is more complex than other systems out there such as Martingale, Paroli or D’Alembert (link to all), it does get easier when you see it in practice, which we will do below.

Where Did The Reverse Labouchere Strategy Originate?

The system takes the name of British politician and journalist Henry Du Pre Labouchere, as he brought it to light in the 1800’s.

However, a biography written by his grandson in 1914, revealed that Labouchere actually stumbled across the formula in a letter composed by French Mathematician Marie Jean Antoine Nicolas de Caritat, Marquis of Condorcet.

Whoever was the actual brains behind it, Labouchere is certainly credited with the discovery. It is unclear, however, who first thought about switching it to create the Reverse Labouchere strategy.

The most famous use of the Reverse Labouchere was by British gentleman Norman Leigh in 1966 who rounded up a bunch of thirteen men by placing a newspaper advert.

They descended on casinos in Europe using the Reverse Labouchere system on roulette and within two weeks, they were blacklisted from every casino in France for winning.

The irony of the situation is that, if the casinos had let them play on, they would have invariably won all of the money back.

But luckily for Leigh and his gang, the casinos shut them down while they were in their prime and they ended up winning huge amounts of money and creating a legacy. You can read more about this in the book ‘Thirteen Against The Bank’ if you’re interested.

Where Can The Reverse Labouchere System Be Used?

You need to be looking for odds as close to 50/50 and payouts of 1:1 when implementing the Reverse Labouchere system.

It is most commonly used in the outside bets of roulette such as red/black, odd/even, high/low. It can also be used in blackjack, betting on the banker in baccarat or in craps betting on pass/do not pass line.

Obviously, even on a single zero roulette table, outside bets don’t give a 50% chance of winning due to house edge. Betting on red or black has a 48.65% chance of winning rather than 50% but this is close enough. Similarly the house edge on blackjack and the banker bet in baccarat is extremely low.

Sports betting can be an option to use the Reverse Labouchere system, as long as you choose odds as close to 50/50 as possible. This is something to look at when you’re more comfortable with the strategy though.

How To Play The Reverse Labouchere System

So, now let’s look at the Reverse Labouchere System from a practical point of view, broken down bet by bet.

For this example, let us look at a short, simple sequence with values running from £1 - £5 and a maximum loss target of £15 and let’s assume we are betting on roulette red or black.

£1 + £2 + £3 + £4 + £5 = £15

Bet 1 would be £6 which is the first value (£1) and the last value (£5) added together.

£1 + £2 + £3 + £4 + £5

If bet 1 loses, we cancel out £1 and £5 from the list and move to our next bet which would also be £6 which is the new first number (£2) and the new last number (£4) added together.

£1 + £2 + £3 + £4 + £5

If this also loses then we cancel out £2 and £4 from the list and place our third bet of £3 which is the only number left.

£1 + £2 + £3 + £4 + £5

If that final bet also loses, then we have completed the sequence and made a loss of £15 (£6 + £6 + £3) which was our maximum loss target.

If, however, bet 1 wins, we add the bet 1 total (£6) to the end of the list and then our next bet would be £7 as this is the new sum of the first number (£1) and the last number (£6).

£1 + £2 + £3 + £4 + £5 + £6

If this bet also wins, we would add the bet 2 total (£7) to the end of the list and our next bet would be £8 which is the sum of the first number (£1) and the last number (£7) added together.

£1 + £2 + £3 + £4 + £5 + £6 + £7

If the third bet also wins then we would have made £21 profit (£6+ £7+£8) from our first three bets. At this point we can decide to play on to maximise a winning streak safe in the knowledge that the most we can lose is £15. Alternatively, we can choose to stop playing and leave with our profit.

So let’s now look at a few different scenarios for the example above.

Scenario 1 – you complete the sequence resulting in a loss

In the scenario above you can see that, despite a couple of wins, the sequence was completed in just six bets with the maximum loss of -£15.

The advantage of Reverse Labouchere is that no matter how many bets you place that will always be your maximum loss, so it is highly effective for bankroll management if not always for winning.

Scenario 2 – you make a loss despite winning more bets than losing

In this scenario, you have placed 12 bets, winning the majority of them (7) and losing only 5 bets, but have still ended on a loss of -£3.

If you continue to play, with an even mix of wins and losses you could play for a long time which is a positive for some players. However, it can mean that you can put a lot of time into this system without much reward.

If you had continued to place one more bet, it would be £12, which if lost, would take you to your maximum -£15 loss, and if it had won, you’d be £9 up.

The margins, therefore, are fairly slight between winning and losing unless you increase the sequence values and therefore increase the risk. The only exception to this would be if you went on a winning streak.

Scenario 3 – you hit a winning streak and then a losing streak

Scenario 3 showcases the advantages and disadvantages of the Reverse Labouchere system really well. The strategy really comes to life when you get on a winning streak which in this case reached up to £51 in profit. However, just four bets later and you hit your maximum loss of -£15.

The trick with Reverse Labouchere, therefore, is knowing when to get out. If we’d have stopped at Bet 8, we could walk away with £51. Or alternatively, you could pocket the £51 and start the sequence again from scratch.

The problem, of course, is knowing when to stop, and that is the major issue with using the Reverse Labouchere system.

Pros And Cons Of The Reverse Labouchere Betting System

As with all betting systems there are pros and cons with the Reverse Labouchere system, here are some of the key ones.

Pros

Limited losses – the strategy is ideal for risk-averse betters who want to limit any potential losses. You literally set your own maximum loss amount and you won’t exceed that while you’re following the sequence.

Maximises wins – by increasing your bet size after every win, rather than decreasing it, you maximise potential profits from hitting a winning streak

Extend playing time – if the results are fairly even in terms of wins and losses, the Reverse Labouchere can keep you at the table for a long time

Flexible – Reverse Labouchere can be used for a variety of even money bets including roulette, baccarat, blackjack, craps and sports betting

Cons

Complicated – both the Labouchere and Reverse Labouchere betting systems are hard to track in your mind as you play. Both are best suited to playing with a pen and paper where you can keep on top of the sequence which isn’t always possible

Win/Loss Ratio - it is still possible to lose money even if you win more bets due to the sequence structure

Knowing when to stop – The only way you can make profit from the Reverse Labouchere method is to hit a winning streak and cash out at the right time. If you continue to play the sequence long term, chances are you’ll complete the sequence with a loss

Fluctuations – as shown with scenario three above, just a slight losing streak can wipe out your profits, so although overall losses are restricted, it can be quite sensitive to fluctuations in results which alter the outcome dramatically

Tips On Using The Reverse Labouchere Betting System

Start small – Until you are comfortable with using the Reverse Labouchere system, make sure to keep your bet sequence small and low in value. Say, for example, you would be ok with a £50 loss. Set yourself up with a sequence with a maximum loss of £10 and play it five times to test the outcome rather than one sequence with a £50 loss.

Practice – use online simulators or online casinos and a pen and paper to practise the Reverse Labouchere betting system before you do it in person or with higher stakes. The more you practise, the better you will get at it and you might develop a sequence that you find easy to track in your head.

Choose the right bets – the Reverse Labouchere system should only be used on even money bets with as close to a 50% chance of winning as possible. Don’t try to use the system for any other bet types.

Does The Reverse Labouchere Betting System Work?

If you are looking for a betting system that guarantees profits then the Reverse Labouchere strategy is not it.

However, if you want a system that is certain to limit your losses, then this is a good one to try.

Reverse Labouchere is ideal for players who want some structure to their betting and have a limited bankroll. Or simply those who like to ensure their losses are capped.

If you stick to following the Reverse Labouchere sequence then you will never spend more than the sum of the sequence combined. Meanwhile, it is possible to hit a winning streak and make some good profits, as long as you stop at the right time.

However, for many, the Reverse Labouchere system is just too conservative. And in truth, the only way to succeed with it is to hit a winning streak. A mix of wins and losses will undoubtedly lead to a long drawn-out betting sequence that can still end in a loss, even if you win more than you lose.

The only guaranteed way to gain an edge over casinos is by taking value bets. Through a mixture of evaluation and strategy, matched betting can use the casinos own promotional offers to turn the edge in favour of the player.

To find out more about Matched Betting for both casino and sports bets, read more in our guide here.

Alternatives to the Reverse Labouchere Betting System

There are several betting systems, alongside Labouchere, that are popular with players looking to add structure to their gambling.

Here’s a quick summary of the main ones:

Martingale Strategy – The most commonly used betting strategy, the Martingale system is very simple but does need a significant bankroll to implement. You set a basic betting unit and whenever you lose, you double the stake and continue to double the stake until you hit a win, at which point you revert to the original stake. It means that bet levels can get extremely high, but it also means that losses are recovered quickly. But, that’s only possible if you have the bankroll to cover it and you don’t exceed maximum bet levels which can restrict your ability to win back losses. (link to article)

Paroli System – This is the exact opposite of Martingale in that you double your stake after a win and continue to double it for three consecutive bets or until you lose, at which point you drop to the original bet level. It is simple to implement and doesn’t require a big bankroll, however it does prevent you from taking advantage of a potentially long winning streak. (link to article)

D’Alembert system – This is one of the more conservative betting systems as it just requires you bet in units rather than doubling up. You choose a betting unit and then increase your bet by one unit after a loss and decrease it by one unit after a win. It is much less risky than the Martingale system but it can be quite tedious to play, simply going up and down one unit after each bet. (link to article)

Fibonacci system – This uses the well-known Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc.) as a betting structure. By using the predetermined sequence as a betting guide, you move up and down the row, one place forward after a loss, and two steps back after a win. Similar to the Labouchere and Reverse Labouchere systems, it can be hard to keep track of without a pen and paper. The numbers also go up quite rapidly so you need a decent bankroll to play it.