Reverse Labouchere System – How to Play

What Is the Reverse Labouchere System

The Reverse Labouchere system is a positive betting progression strategy. Instead of crossing out numbers after a win (as in the standard Labouchere), you add them together, increasing your bet amount when you win. The idea is to grow your sequence during good runs and lock in profits when the streak ends.

It’s commonly applied to even-money bets such as Red/Black or Odd/Even in American, European, and French roulette. These bets have close to a 50% chance of winning each spin (slightly less due to the house edge).

Difference Between Standard and Reverse Labouchere

Here’s how the two systems differ 👇

💡 In short: the Reverse Labouchere roulette system works by rewarding wins, while the standard version aims to recover losses.

Adding Numbers After a Win

• After winning a spin, take the amount you just bet and add it to the end of the sequence.
• Example: Start with 1-2-3, bet 4 units and win → sequence becomes 1-2-3-4.
• This allows you to increase potential winnings during a hot streak.

Removing Numbers After a Loss

• After losing, cross out the first and last numbers from your sequence.
• This reduces your next bet amount and helps control losses.
• Example: Sequence 1-2-3-4, bet 5 units and lose → remove 1 and 4 → sequence becomes 2-3.

⚠️ Important: If your sequence becomes too short (or empty), it’s time to reset to your starting numbers.

Step-by-Step Example of Reverse Labouchere Betting

Let’s walk through a complete Reverse Labouchere for online roulette session. We’ll use an initial sequence of 1-2-3 and bet on Red in European roulette for a lower house edge.

Starting Sequence and First Bets

1. Write down the starting sequence: 1-2-3.
2. First bet = first number (1) + last number (3) = 4 units.
3. Spin the wheel and track your result.

Progression Through Wins and Losses

Here’s an example of 8 spins in a session ☝️

When to Reset the Sequence

• Reset when the sequence is empty or very short (1–2 numbers left).
• Many players also reset after reaching a set profit target (e.g., +20 units).
• Resetting avoids large bet sizes that could hit table limits or your bankroll limit.

💡 Tip: Always define your reset roulette rules before starting the session to keep discipline.

Best Situations to Use Reverse Labouchere

The Reverse Labouchere roulette system works best in scenarios where you can take advantage of moderate winning streaks and keep control over your bet sizes. Choosing the right conditions will significantly improve your chances of walking away with profit.

Focusing on Even-Money Bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even)

• These bets have the highest probability of winning in roulette, aside from special rules like “En Prison” or “La Partage” in French roulette.
• Even-money bets pay 1:1, making them ideal for progression systems that need frequent wins to grow the sequence.
• Avoid complex inside bets here, as they reduce hit frequency and break the logic of the system.

Choosing European Roulette for Lower House Edge

💡 If possible, use the Reverse Labouchere for online roulette on European or French tables to minimize the house advantage.

Short to Medium Session Play

• The system is designed to capitalize on streaks, not to survive long-term variance.
• Aim for 20–50 spins per session and then cash out or reset.
• Longer roulette play increases the chance of encountering long losing streaks that can wipe out your gains.

Pros and Cons of the Reverse Labouchere

Like any roulette strategy, the Reverse Labouchere system has both strengths and weaknesses. Understanding them helps you decide when and how to use it.

Pros

• ✅ Encourages profit during winning streaks – grows your bankroll faster when you’re on a roll.
• ✅ Flexible bankroll control – you can adjust your starting sequence to suit your budget.
• ✅ Clear profit targets – easy to set a sequence length that defines when to stop.

Cons

• ⚠️ Risk of quick bankroll depletion in losing streaks – fewer wins mean a shorter sequence and faster losses.
• ⚠️ Requires discipline to reset sequence – emotional decisions can lead to chasing losses.
• ⚠️More complex than flat betting – not as simple as betting the same amount each time.

Reverse Labouchere vs Other Betting Systems

The Reverse Labouchere betting progression is one of many popular roulette strategies. To see how it stacks up, let’s compare it to the Standard Labouchere, Martingale, and Fibonacci systems.

Reverse Labouchere vs Standard Labouchere

• Reverse is a positive progression: increase bets after wins.
• Standard is a negative progression: increase bets after losses.
• Reverse is better for exploiting hot streaks, while Standard focuses on loss recovery.

Reverse Labouchere vs Martingale

• Martingale doubles your bet after each loss until you win, aiming to recover all losses in one win.
• Reverse Labouchere grows the sequence after wins, avoiding extremely large bets as in Martingale.
• Martingale can hit table limits quickly, while Reverse allows more controlled bet sizes.

Reverse Labouchere vs Fibonacci

• Fibonacci increases bets after a loss following a number sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, etc.).
• Reverse Labouchere modifies the sequence dynamically based on wins and losses.
• Fibonacci is simpler but slower to recover or grow profits.

Tips for Successful Reverse Labouchere Play

To make the Reverse Labouchere roulette system more effective, you need to combine it with smart bankroll and risk management techniques.

Always Define a Maximum Sequence Length

• Set a limit for how long your sequence can grow (e.g., 6–7 numbers).
• This prevents bets from becoming too large during long winning streaks.
• If you hit the limit, lock in profit and reset the sequence.

Combine with Stop-Loss and Win Limits

• Decide on the maximum loss you’re willing to take in a session.
• Set a win limit (e.g., +20 units) and stop playing when you reach it.
• This helps avoid giving back your winnings during cold streaks.

Keep Bets Within Table Limits

• Always check the casino’s table limits before starting.
• The Reverse Labouchere for online roulette can reach high bets if you have a long winning streak without resetting.
• Staying within limits avoids getting stuck unable to complete the sequence.