Labouchère | Betting Strategy Analytics

Labouchère

Cross off numbers from a list on wins; append the lost stake on losses.

Negative progressionHigh riskBacktestableRule v1 (labouchere engine v1)

How it works

Also called the cancellation system. Default list 1-2-3: stake equals first plus last number (in units). An empty list completes the cycle.

Canonical rules

Plain-language summary of the published rule version (same snapshot stored on every backtest).

Start with a number list (default 1-2-3). Stake = first + last (or the single number). Win removes first and last; loss appends the lost stake. Empty list restarts the cycle.

Push / void: Push returns the stake and does not change progression; the next stake equals the current stake.

View stored rule JSON

{
  "rule": "Start with a number list (default 1-2-3). Stake = first + last (or the single number). Win removes first and last; loss appends the lost stake. Empty list restarts the cycle.",
  "pushRule": "Push returns the stake and does not change progression; the next stake equals the current stake."
}

Default parameters

{
  "unit": 1,
  "sequence": [
    1,
    2,
    3
  ]
}

Risk profile

If you lost 5 bets in a row from a fresh cycle (ignoring caps):

Total staked30

Next stake9

Pros

Customisable target lists
Clear cycle goals

Cons

Lists can grow on losses
Tracking overhead

Mini-simulator

Enter a W / L / P sequence to see stakes using the same engine code as backtests.

Outcome sequence

Use W (win), L (loss), or P (push), separated by spaces or commas.

Step	Outcome	Stake
1	LOSS	4
2	LOSS	5
3	WIN	6
4	LOSS	6
5	WIN	8
6	WIN	7

Past results don't predict future results. No staking strategy overcomes the bookmaker margin in the long run.