The Labouchere System is a cancellation system. Like the martingale, it's a progressive betting system where you alter your bets based on whether you won or lost. The Labouchere doesn't necessarily increase after every loss or decrease after every win, it depends on where you are in the progression. It's a bit more complicated than most systems but easy enough to work out with a pen and paper.
You start off with a line of numbers, any numbers will do. For example, 1,1,2,3. The first bet is simply the first and last number added together. In this case 4 units. You bet on even chance bets only, so red/ black, high/ low, or odd/ even.
If this bet wins, you cross off those numbers leaving 1,2 whereas if it loses, you add the loss to the end and start again. Your winnings are equal to the sum of the line if you get to cancel it all out. Let's work through an example.
Bet Line | Units Staked | Result | Gain/ Loss |
---|---|---|---|
1-1-2-3 | 4 | lose | -4 |
1-1-2-3-4 | 5 | lose | -9 |
1-1-2-3-4-5 | 6 | lose | -15 |
1-1-2-3-4-5-6 | 7 | win | -8 |
1-2-3-4-5 | 6 | win | -2 |
2-3-4 | 6 | lose | -8 |
2-3-4-6 | 8 | lose | -16 |
2-3-4-6-8 | 10 | win | -6 |
3-4-6 | 9 | win | +3 |
4 | 4 | lose | -1 |
4-4 | 8 | win | +7 |
In this case, the winnings are 7 units (sum 1,1,2,3). The more important thing to note here is that the gain was from six losses and only five wins. The starting line can be of any length and contain as many numbers as you want. The larger the line, the more you have to bet to clear the line.
You can see from the video, the Labouchere system does work in the short term and would work in the long term if it were not for the house limit. I think in that regard it's much like the martingale. The Labouchere system is good for if you want to make a set amount and quit. Your night at the casino might be short but at least you walk away not losing.
system "Labouchere_System"
{The Laborchere is a cross-out system which begins with a list containing an
arbitrary sequence of numbers such as 1,2,3,4.
The next bet is determined by adding the first and last numbers in the list.
When the bet wins, the first and last numbers are crossed-out (zeroed out for the
System's purpose). When the bet loses, the lost amount is added to the end
of the list.
}
method "main"
begin
While Starting a New Session
begin
Clear record "Progression list" data;
Clear record "Pointer" data;
call "Reset";
call "Figure and make next bet";
exit;
end
While Black has won each time
begin
Put 1 on record "Progression list" Data index;
Put 0 on record "Progression list" data;
put 100% of record "Pointer" data to
record "Progression list" data index;
Put 0 on record "Progression list" data;
end
While Black has lost each time
begin
Add 1 on record "Pointer" data;
put 100% of record "Pointer" data to
record "Progression list" data index;
Put 100% of the last Black on record "Progression list" data;
end
Put 1 on record "Progression list" Data index;
If record "Progression list" data = 0
begin
Move List Up by 1 to Record "Progression list" Data;
Subtract 2 from Record "Pointer" Data;
Put 1 on record "Progression list" Data index;
end
If record "Progression list" data = 0
begin
// Progression has won. Start Over
call "Reset";
end
call "Figure and make next bet";
end
method "Reset"
begin
Set List [1,2,3,4] on record "Progression list" data;
Put 4 on record "Pointer" data;
Put 1 on record "Progression list" Data index;
end
method "Figure and make next bet"
begin
Put 1 on record "Progression list" Data index;
Put 100% of record "Progression list" data on Black;
While Record "Pointer" data> 1
begin
put 100% of record "Pointer" data to
record "Progression list" data index;
Add 100% of record "Progression list" data on Black;
end
end