Have you heard of Labouchere yet? Maybe you already know this strategy from other social casino games or you’re just looking for a more structured way to go about your baccarat games.
In any case, you’re in the right place. By the end of this article, it will be clear:
- What exactly is the Labouchere system
- An example of how it works in baccarat
- Tips on how to use it
- Alternatives if it doesn’t work for you
Cue the first topic: what is this bankroll management approach?
What Is the Baccarat Labouchere System?
The Baccarat Labouchere System was devised in the nineteenth century and is attributed to Henry Labouchere, a British politician. Over the years, it has become more popular with baccarat players wanting a more structured approach to managing their bankroll.
The system essentially has you deciding on how much you want to win before you start playing and then creating a list of numbers that would add up to this amount. The first play you place is then the sum of the first and last numbers on your list.
If you win, then the first and last numbers are crossed off the list, and you will continue playing in the same way with the remaining numbers. If, on the other hand, you lose, then the lost play is added to the end of your sequence. This ought to guide you towards potentially hitting that predetermined target.
While at a glance this may sound quite complicated, the system is quite easy once you wrap your head around the concept. It’s a methodical system which helps you to feel more in control of your plays, reducing potential risks that can come with other systems that favour doubling down on your losses instead.
It’s by no means a guarantee of success, but the Labouchere system gives you a sense of order and progression when playing baccarat.
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Example of How To Use the Baccarat Labouchere System
So, if you’re keen on adding some structure to your game, then you’ll be interested in seeing exactly how the Labouchere System works in practice. With this step-by-step approach, you can track your progress, adapting your play accordingly as the game unfolds.
- Decide on your target first, before you even start playing. Ideally, this should be a realistic amount that you’d like to win. For this example, let’s say that you’d like to win 10.
- Next, you’ll need to break down this target into a sequence of smaller numbers. So, with our 10 goal in mind, we can have a sequence of 2-2-3-3, as when added together, these numbers will make up the full 10.
- Now for your first play. Start by adding the first and last numbers in the sequence together. In this case, this will be 2+3, which makes up 5. So, put 5 as your initial plays.
- Should you win the hand, then you’ll cross off these numbers (2 and 3) from your sequence.
- If you lose, then you will add the amount of your lost play (5) to the end of the sequence. The aim here is to have this extend your line and help you recover your losses over time.
- From here on, you continue with the process, always playing the sum of the first and last remaining numbers, until you manage to cross off all the numbers or hit your target win.
By following this systematic approach, you can avoid making impulsive decisions and stick to a more structured method.

Baccarat Labouchere Tips
The system can be incredibly useful when playing baccarat online; however, there are a few aspects to keep in mind. Before we get to these baccarat tips, here’s a major one: the banker hand will include a commission that will eat into your reward, therefore a 1:1 odd is only true for the player hand.
Track Your Sequence
Make sure that you keep a clear track of your sequence and its progression as you continue playing. If you don’t follow the system effectively, then you risk losing out on its advantages.
Set Win and Loss Limits
Even though you’re following the Labouchere System, you should still set a maximum win and loss target. Be sure to stick to these limits no matter what.
Adjust Your Strategy Following Losses
There is a clear set of instructions to follow whenever you incur a loss using the Labouchere System. But getting into a frustrating losing streak can be quite challenging, and you may feel the need to change direction drastically to recover your losses.
However, you should do everything you can to avoid irrational responses to these situations, sticking to your sequence and avoiding any deviations from your plan. Should the losses become very high, then it might be time to pause and reassess your bankroll, ensuring you don’t exceeded your established limits.
Keep Winning Streaks in Check
Winning streaks can also affect your gameplay choices, and you may feel like you should deviate from the system to score better rewards. But even here, you should similarly avoid making irrational decisions.
Every round is independent of one another, with randomised outcomes that could end your winning streaks at any given point. Stick to the system and quit playing once you hit your max win target.
Alternative Systems to Baccarat Labouchere
There are other popular alternative strategies to the Labouchere System that you can explore.
One of the most prominent is the Martingale system, where you double your play after each loss to recover the losses you incurred with a single win. While this can work in shorter sessions, it can also prove to be quite costly in the long run, especially if you run into long losing streaks.
On the other hand, the Paroli System does the opposite. This time around, you double your plays whenever you hit a win, and this can prove to be more cost-effective in the long run.
You also have Fibonacci, which will have you multiply your play unit by a certain amount according to its sequence: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21 and so on. You do this sequentially as you lose, but you go two steps back if you win so that losses are recovered quickly.
Or you can always play the same and disregard these methods with flat playing – up to you.
Conclusion
The Labouchere System can be a fantastic way to use a more methodical approach to your play when playing baccarat games.
It’s important to remember that none of these systems can guarantee a win, but they can help you to make better use of your bankroll, giving you a more responsible and sustainable experience.
Want to maximize your fun at McLuck social casino? Read more baccarat bankroll systems and other social casino guides and become an expert.