Labouchere System (Cont.)

The next wager is always the total of the two end numbers. In this case, five units (1 plus 4). Again you lose, as odd shows on the wheel. You write the loss into your line:

    1    2    3    4    5

The next bet is six (1 plus 5), but this time even comes up. You have a winning total of six units. Cross off the 1 and the 5 and bet the total of the two new end numbers, which again is six (2 plus 4).

1/    2    3    4     5/

Again you lose. Add the total of the losing bet to the line:

1/    2    3    4    5/     6

Your next bet is eight units; even shows; you win. The line reads:

1/    2/    3    4    5/     6/

Your next bet is seven units (3 plus 4); odd shows; you lose:

1/    2/    3    4    5/    6/    7/   

System now calls for a ten unit bet of 3 plus 7, and you win. By crossing off the 7 and the 3, it leaves only the 4. So that is the amount of your next bet:

1/    2/    3/    4    5/    6/    7/

Even shows, giving you a win of four units. Your line is complete and your profit is six units. In that series, even showed four times while odd came up four times. You win 50% of the time and showed a six unit profit.

All well and good. But look at what took place along the way. You were called on to make heavy bets. If you happened to lose that ten unit bet, the next wager would have called for a thirteen unit bet.

The theory behind this system has merit, but it could get out of hand. One way to offset it is by starting with 1 1 1 or even 1 1, which is conservative. Another possibility is 1 1 2 or 1 2 1.

What this method of betting is trying to accomplish is to allow you to win only about 35% to 40% of the time and still show a profit. Because each time you lose, you only add one number to the line. Each time you win you deduct two numbers. Logically, you can win approximately a little over one third of the time and show a profit.

But stop right there. The logic is right, and the knowledge is right because you are smart enough to tackle a game which has only a 2.63 vig. But remember what I said way back in the beginning? You must have all of the Big Four to win, not just two or even three segments. In this case you need a strong bankroll to offset the possible run of some bad streaks that could jump the line to a point which would call for you to bet quite heavily. You might lack the money, the guts, or both.

Oh, the theory is OK because you should expect to win almost an even amount of wagers on a 50 50 proposition. But don't discount the bankroll. Starting with a smaller starting line is the natural thing to do. We'll try 1 1 1, which should hold your bets down for awhile. Again, you're betting even. The first wager is two (1 plus 1). You lose:

1    1    1     2

Next bet is three (1 plus 2). Again, odd shows; you lose.

1    1    2     3
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