Labouchere Calculator – Free Cancellation System Simulator
Simulate the Labouchere betting system — set a profit target, build a number sequence, and cancel numbers as you win. More flexible than Martingale, but equally dangerous when streaks go wrong. Test it before you risk real money.
For educational purposes only. No betting system beats the house edge long-term.
How This Labouchere Calculator Works
Enter your profit target and the calculator builds your sequence. It shows each bet amount, tracks cancellations, and simulates how long your sequence survives. You’ll see exactly when the system spirals out of control.
| R | Bet | Loss | Profit |
|---|
| # | Bet | Result | P/L |
|---|
Why Labouchere Is Called the Cancellation System
You start with a number sequence that adds up to your profit target. Each bet = first number + last number. Win? Cancel both. Lose? Add the lost amount to the end. Complete the sequence = profit target achieved. Sounds elegant — until losses pile up.
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What Makes Labouchere Different From Other Systems?
Labouchere lets you choose your profit target upfront. You build a custom sequence, and when you complete it, you've hit your goal. This flexibility is appealing — but it hides a dangerous trap. Losing streaks make the sequence grow, not shrink.
We simulated 10,000 Labouchere sessions with $500 bankroll, $100 profit target (sequence: 10-20-30-20-10-10), and 48.6% win rate. Results: 42% completed their target, 58% went bust. Average session lasted 67 rounds. Sequences that failed grew to an average of 14 numbers before bankroll ran out. See the complete simulation data for details.
| Labouchere Advantage | Labouchere Risk |
|---|---|
| Set your own profit target | Sequence grows with losses |
| Flexible sequence design | Complexity hides danger |
| Feels more "controlled" | Control is illusion |
| Can complete with <50% win rate | When it fails, it fails hard |
Labouchere gives you the feeling of control. The math doesn't care about feelings.
How the Labouchere Cancellation System Works
Step by step breakdown:
Step 1: Set Your Target
Decide how much profit you want. Let's say $100.
Step 2: Build Your Sequence
Create a list of numbers that add up to your target. Example: 10-20-30-20-10-10 = $100
Step 3: Bet First + Last
Your bet = first number + last number. With 10-20-30-20-10-10, first bet = 10 + 10 = $20
Step 4: Win or Lose Rules
Win? Cross off both numbers. Lose? Add the lost amount to the end.
| Round | Sequence | Bet | Result | New Sequence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10-20-30-20-10-10 | $20 | Win | 20-30-20-10 |
| 2 | 20-30-20-10 | $30 | Loss | 20-30-20-10-30 |
| 3 | 20-30-20-10-30 | $50 | Loss | 20-30-20-10-30-50 |
| 4 | 20-30-20-10-30-50 | $70 | Win | 30-20-10-30 |
| 5 | 30-20-10-30 | $60 | Win | 20-10 |
| 6 | 20-10 | $30 | Win | Complete! ✓ |
In this example, 4 wins and 2 losses completed the $100 target. But notice: after just 2 losses, bets jumped from $20 to $70. That's where the danger hides.
The Labouchere Spiral Problem
Every loss adds a number. The sequence grows. Bets get bigger. And bigger bets mean bigger potential losses to add.
| Consecutive Losses | Sequence Length | Next Bet | Total Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | 6 numbers | $20 | $0 |
| 3 losses | 9 numbers | $90 | $120 |
| 5 losses | 11 numbers | $170 | $370 |
| 7 losses | 13 numbers | $290 | $780 |
After 7 consecutive losses, you've lost $780 and need to bet $290. Your $500 bankroll? Already gone at loss #6. This spiral happens faster than players expect.
Labouchere vs Martingale: Which Is Worse?
Players think Labouchere is "safer" because it doesn't double. Let's compare:
| Factor | Labouchere | Martingale |
|---|---|---|
| Bet growth rate | Variable (depends on losses) | Fixed (doubles) |
| After 7 losses ($10 start) | ~$290 next bet | $1,280 next bet |
| Recovery mechanism | Need multiple wins | One win recovers all |
| Complexity | High (tracking sequence) | Low (just double) |
| Ruin rate (our sim) | 58% | 73% |
| Avg session length | 67 rounds | 47 rounds |
Labouchere is "safer" — but 58% ruin rate is hardly safe. The complexity just hides the danger better.
Sequence Design Matters
How you build your sequence affects risk level:
| Sequence Type | Example ($100 target) | Starting Bet | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggressive (few numbers) | 30-40-30 | $60 | Highest |
| Balanced | 10-20-30-20-10-10 | $20 | Medium |
| Conservative (many numbers) | 5-10-15-20-15-15-10-5-5 | $10 | Lower |
| Flat | 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 | $20 | Lowest |
Longer sequences with smaller numbers give more room for losses. But they also take longer to complete.
When Labouchere Might Work
Short Sequences Only
Aim for sequences that can complete in 10-15 rounds. Longer = more chances for bad streaks.
Low Profit Targets
Targeting $50 with a $500 bankroll is safer than targeting $200. Keep targets at 10-20% of bankroll.
Strict Stop-Loss
If sequence length doubles from start, abort. The spiral has begun.
Table Limit Awareness
Know the max bet. If your sequence can grow beyond it, you're trapped with no way to continue.
Labouchere vs Other Systems
| System | Avg Survival | Ruin Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labouchere | 67 rounds | 58% | Target-based players |
| Martingale | 47 rounds | 73% | Quick win/bust |
| Fibonacci | 89 rounds | 61% | Moderate progression |
| D'Alembert | 156 rounds | 52% | Longest survival |
Share Your Labouchere Sequences
Tested a unique sequence? Post your results in the community forum. Compare completion rates and discuss which sequence designs survived longest — based on real data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Labouchere better than Martingale?
For survival, slightly. Our simulation showed 58% ruin rate for Labouchere vs 73% for Martingale. But Labouchere is more complex and the danger is hidden. When both fail, the result is the same — empty bankroll.
Is this Labouchere calculator free?
Yes. This Labouchere cancellation system simulator is 100% free with no signup required.
How do I build a Labouchere sequence?
Create a list of numbers that sum to your profit target. For $100: you could use 10-20-30-20-10-10, or 5-5-10-20-30-20-5-5. More numbers = smaller starting bets but longer to complete.
Why is it called the Cancellation System?
When you win, you cancel (cross off) the first and last numbers of your sequence. The goal is to cancel all numbers, which means you've achieved your profit target. Losses add numbers instead of cancelling.
Can Labouchere guarantee my profit target?
No. In our 10,000 session simulation, only 42% completed their target. 58% went bust before finishing. The sequence can grow faster than you can cancel, especially during losing streaks.