Labouchere System

Just as in the case of the D'Alembert System, the entire method was completely outlined in my basic book on Roulette. Since it was then spelled out in very easy to understand language, I have decided to reprint those chapters in their entirety to fully explain this very effective system.

I have added a chapter at the end to increase the variations. This is a strong play for the outside bets, so I hope you'll give it more than just a passing glance.

Here again, we have a system call Labouchere, named after a gentleman who probably invented it on his own or came up with a variation of the D'Alembert or vice versa. In any event, it is a theory of betting, and is also called the Cancellation System.

The idea behind this system is to start with a group of numbers which signify your bet, and then you cancel out these numbers as you win and add additional numbers if you lose.

Write on a sheet of paper: 1, 2, 3   which will comprise your series. Playing only the even money bets on a roulette table (such as black/red, odd/even, or high/low) in a game that has the En Prison Rule, this is even better. For in that case the house vig is very small.

But you must limit yourself to playing only where you find either one zero or the En Prison Rule. The casinos that do not offer the En Prison Rule benefit and retain a 5.26 edge. This is a lot to overcome.

After you set up your series of 1, 2, 3 on your pad, your first bet will be the total of the two end numbers. In this case, four units (1 plus 3). If you win, cross off the 1 and 3 from your chart, and only the 2 will remain. Your next bet will be two units. If you win, cross off the 2 on your chart, and the series is complete. Let's say that the two unit bet loses. Write another 2 on your pad, and bet the total of the line, which is now four units (2 plus 2).

It looks like this:

1/    2    3/     2

Suppose you win the four unit bet. Cross off the 2 and 2, and the series is complete. You've won the total of your original line   six units.

Oh, it's great when it wins, but the problem is that the lines can really become enormous. Let's take a look at a probable run which shows a string of losses. You buy in at a table and decide to make this series on the odd/even wager. You pick even.

Start your series with a line of 1, 2, 3 and bet the total of the two end numbers. Your first bet is four units; you lose, and your line now reads:

1    2    3     4
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