The Reverse Labouchere system is an intriguing betting strategy that has been used by gamblers to try and beat the odds at casinos. This system was famously employed by a group of 13 English middle-class misfits, led by Norman Leigh, in an attempt to break the bank at the iconic Monte Carlo Casino in the early 1960s. Their thrilling story, filled with disguises, secret signals, and a lot of luck, would make for a fantastic comedy adventure movie.
Understanding the Reverse Labouchere System
The Reverse Labouchere system is designed for almost 50/50 type bets like red/black on the roulette table. The player starts with a series of numbers, and to play, they must always bet the sum of the first and last digits in their string. If they lose the bet, they add the amount of the bet to the end of their string of digits. If they win, they delete the first and last numbers and then add the first and last remaining numbers of their string of digits.
Norman Leigh’s preferred version was called the Reverse Labouchere because it increased bets when the player won and decreased bets when they lost. As with the Labouchere, bets are decided by adding the first and last digits of the string, but here, players add their winning bets to the end and delete the first and last digits when they lose.
The Adventure of Norman Leigh and His Crew
In the early 1960s, Norman Leigh and his group of 13 gamblers descended upon Nice, France, and Monte Carlo, Monaco, with a plan to beat the casinos using the Reverse Labouchere system. They were able to increase the amount being risked since Norman’s bankroll was distributed between the players who were essentially hiding in plain sight. And it worked! Norman and his dapper dozen broke the bank at Monte Carlo. However, the Reverse Labouchere system doesn’t change the odds; it only limits losses.
In a fictionalized version of this story, Norman Leigh would be a character straight out of an Ealing comedy casting book – a mixture of Alistair Sims, Sir John Mills, and Bill Nighy. The gang of English middle-class misfits who broke the bank at Monte Carlo would be a brilliantly funny, suspenseful adventure.
The Downfall and Lessons Learned
While the group managed to win a significant amount of money using the Reverse Labouchere system, their success was largely due to luck. As with all gambling systems, the tide eventually turned against them. They were eventually caught and banned from the casino.
The story of Norman Leigh and his crew serves as a reminder that gambling devices have no memory and random outcomes can occur in streaks. Martingale-type systems like the Reverse Labouchere can lead to ever-increasing losses until the table limit or a player’s bankroll is reached. In the end, the only way to truly benefit from a winning streak is to stop playing.
Gambling Responsibly with the Reverse Labouchere System
If you’re thinking of trying out the Reverse Labouchere system or any other betting strategy, remember that luck can only take you so far. It’s always important to gamble responsibly and within your means. While the group’s adventure may seem like a great success story, it’s important to remember that it’s never been repeated.
In conclusion, the Reverse Labouchere system is an interesting betting strategy that has been used by gamblers in an attempt to beat the odds at casinos. However, as the story of Norman Leigh and his crew demonstrates, no betting system can guarantee success, and luck plays a significant role in gambling outcomes. It’s essential to gamble responsibly and remember that the only surefire way to benefit from a winning streak is to stop playing.
