3 Betting Bankroll Management Systems to Avoid

Table of Contents

• Key Takeaways
• Martingale progression
• Fibonacci Betting System
• Labouchere betting system/ Row of numbers
• The Dangers of Progressive Betting Bankroll Management Systems
• FAQ About 3 Betting Bankroll Management Systems to Avoid

• Martingale can lead to massive losses due to increasing bet sizes.
• Fibonacci may seem safer, but it still carries a high risk.
• Labouchere relies on sequence bets but can wipe out your bankroll.
• Progressive systems are unreliable and often lead to losses.
• Serious bettors should avoid these systems entirely.

The easiest system to understand and it is very commonly used by gamblers and novice bettors. Basically it is a system that can not lose in theory, presuming you had unlimited money amount and unlimited limits. In reality, it is the easiest system to lead a bettor to bankruptcy.

The point of Martingale is to win the bet at any cost. Let’s start with $50 and use a basic coefficient of @2.

• If you win the first bet, all is well.
• If you lose, you double your bet to $100. If you win, your total profit is +$50, as if your first bet had won.

In small samples, this might seem easy and effective. However, the reality is much different.

Imagine you lose 9 bets in a row. It happens, and believe me, it happens a lot more than some amateur players think.

• 50…100…200…400…800…1600…3200…6400…12800…25k+

As you can see, losing nine bets in a row means you need to bet more than $25,000 just to “cover” your losses and win back your initial $50.

Now that you understand Martingale, your main goal should be NEVER to use it. Knowing the theory is fine, but it’s important to understand that most bettors lose all their money with such systems. It doesn’t work, and it never will, especially when it comes to effective betting money management.

The Fibonacci sequence begins as follows: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, and continues by adding the two previous numbers to get the next one.

Let’s apply this to the same example:

• 50…50…100…150…250…400…650…1050…1700…2750 $

It is VERY similar to Martingale, as the main objective is not to lose.

Like the Fibonacci sequence itself, the Fibonacci betting strategy should only be viewed as a theory. It may seem “safer” than Martingale, as the progression is two to three steps slower, but in the long run, it will inevitably lead to the same sad result.

Once again, like any other progressive betting bankroll management system, it will only work with an unlimited bankroll and no betting limits.

In the reality of betting, streaks happen, and they are inevitable. Swings can be much bigger than one might imagine without enough practice or a proper understanding of the theory.

The Labouchere system was developed by roulette player Henry Labouchere (1831–1912). While it was traditionally used for roulette, it can easily be adapted to sports betting.

This table shows how the sequence and bets change based on wins and losses:

Sequence Numbers	Bet (first + last number)	Action	New Sequence After Loss
100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100	200 (100 + 100)	Win: remove first and last numbers	100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100
100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100	200 (100 + 100)	Loss: add $200 to the end of the sequence	100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 200
100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 200	300 (100 + 200)	Win: remove first and last numbers	100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100
100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100	200 (100 + 100)	Loss: add $200 to the end of the sequence	100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 200

The goal of Labouchere is to break down your target win into smaller, manageable bets.

Let’s say you want to win $1000.
Split this amount into 10 equal bets of $100:

• 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100

Now, place a bet equal to the sum of the first and last numbers in the sequence. In our case, it’s $200 @2.

If you win the bet, delete the first and last numbers, and continue with the next bet based on the new sequence.

If you lose the bet, add the amount of the stake made to the end of the sequence. In this case, you would add $200.

The sequence would then look like this:

• 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 and 200.

Now, continue placing bets based on the sum of the new first and last numbers.

• If you win, delete one number from both ends of the sequence.
• If you lose, add the stake to the sequence.

Repeat these steps until you either reach your initial goal or run out of money.

Just like other progressive systems, Labouchere requires an unlimited bankroll and no betting limits to work effectively in theory. In reality, losing streaks can quickly erase your winnings.

But to make it clear one last time, all progressive betting bankroll management systems are pure evil. They might be very fun, as you can succeed many times to achieve your initial goal. But remember, one bad run, and you can bust your whole bankroll, just like that.

If you want to consider yourself a serious bettor, these systems are not only “not recommended” – you should stay as far away as possible. And always choose responsible bookmakers who prioritize fair play and safety.