Fibonacci Strategy for Roulette

The Fibonacci Casino Strategy is considered to be one of the most complex and interesting betting systems ever created mainly due to the fact that it is based on an almost mysterious sequence of numbers that could be found in various aspects of science, arts, and nature. When used in gambling, the sequence creates an aggressive, yet relatively safe negative progression that increases the bet amount after each loss.

Interestingly, the Fibonacci numbers seem to exist all around us – in music, nature, mathematics, and they can be applied to various areas of life. Those who have not heard of them before might be surprised how simple the sequence is – each number equals the sum of the previous two numbers. It may start with the zero, but some variations omit it and the sequence begins with 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, and is theoretically endless.

The sequence was named after a Medieval Italian mathematician from the Republic of Pisa who used it to calculate the theoretical growth of rabbit populations. But Leonardo of Pisa, later known as Fibonacci, was not the creator of this interesting line of numbers – he only introduced it to the West in 1202 in his groundbreaking book Liber Abaci. The sequence was first discovered and described by Indian mathematicians centuries before that.

Today, the Fibonacci numbers are used in mathematics, computer programming, data analysis, optics, economics, music, and art. Interestingly, they can be observed in biological settings, as well, such as the branching of trees and the arrangement of leaves and flowers on the stem. Gamblers have apparently found the appeal of this pattern and applied it to their betting strategies in games where two possible outcomes have almost 50% chance of occurring. Most commonly used in roulette, the Fibonacci Strategy allows casino players to structure their bets in such a way so that they can turn a profit even if they lose several spins in a row.

How It Works

The Fibonacci betting system functions in a very simple, straightforward manner and can be used even by players who are not particularly familiar with betting strategies. As we have already established, the strategy is based on the famous Fibonacci sequence where each number in the line is formed by adding the previous two.

The Concept

roulette betting systemsAlthough scientists today start the Fibonacci sequence with a zero, it is not really relevant when it comes to the size of the bets, so the casino system starts with 1. To continue the pattern, we need another 1 and then, we get 2 (1+1), 3 (2+1), 5 (3+2), and so on. These are the first Fibonacci numbers and the ones that are usually used in betting:

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, etc.

The strategy based on these numbers is applied to even-money bets in roulette – red and black, high and low, and even and odd. As you know well, red and black are equally likely to occur in the game, but the exact odds are less than 50% due to the presence of the green zero on the roulette wheel. Still, these even-money bets are as close as you can get to 50/50 chances in this casino game – in European/French roulette, with each of these bets, we have 18 ways to win and 19 ways to lose. This is why picking one of them and sticking to it throughout the betting session is recommended when using the Fibonacci betting system.

Using the Fibonacci Sequence in Roulette

mobile roulette systemsSo, how do the numbers in the sequence relate to the wagers in the game? Each number represents the number of units we bet on each following spin. The unit could be of any monetary value as long as it is above the table minimum – usually, land-based casinos accept bets from $5-$10 to $1,000 or even more per spin. The limits are much lower in online casinos, however, and in virtual roulette, each spin would cost between $1 and $500. If the chosen unit is $5, the bets in the sequence will be $5 – $5 – $10 – $15 – $25 – $40 – $65 – $105 – $170, etc. A good piece of advice would also be limiting the amount of the bet to a maximum of 5% of the player’s entire bankroll.

But these bets are placed only in certain circumstances. As the Fibonacci strategy is a negative progression, it requires an increase of the bets after a losing spin. Therefore, the bets follow the sequence as long as they lose. Once a bet wins, however, players go back two steps in the sequence. For example, if we place a $5 chip on black and we lose, we keep the $5 wager for the next spin, and if it loses, too, we increase the bet to 2 units or $10. If the ball hits red once again, our wager for the next spin is $15. In case it wins, we go back two numbers in the sequence and for our next bet, we place a single-unit bet ($5).

This is how a random betting session using the Fibonacci strategy would look like.

Spin Bet Outcome Payout Profit
1 $5 Lose $0 -$5
2 $5 Lose $0 -$10
3 $10 Lose $0 -$20
4 $15 Lose $0 -$35
5 $25 Lose $0 -$60
6 $40 Win $80 -$20
7 $15 Win $30 -$5
8 $5 Lose $0 -$10
9 $10 Win $20 $0
10 $5 Win $10 $5
Total Bet Amount: $135 Total Payout: $140 Net Profit: $5

One of the most important things about this system is that if a win is registered after two losing bets, its payout will balance out the losses. For example, our first two $5 bets lose and we are $10 in the red – if the next wager, which is also $10, wins, however, our net profit will be $0. Unlike some other betting systems, here a single winning bet cannot compensate for more than 2 consecutive losses.

Fibonacci Roulette Strategy Gameplay


 

The Reverse Fibonacci Strategy

roulette negative bettingMost betting systems used for roulette have variations that are the complete opposites of the original. The Fibonacci makes no exception and the Reverse Fibonacci is almost as popular as the classic strategy – the two progressions are identical but while the original is a negative one, its reverse counterpart is positive.

This means that the bets are increased, following the Fibonacci sequence, after winning spins. If the bet loses, players should go back two numbers in the sequence, effectively cutting the stake amount for the spin that follows. It is obvious that with this method, turning a profit requires more wins than losses, which is conditional upon pure chance, hence not a particularly reliable strategy.

If we start the sequence with a $5, for example, and win twice in a row, we will have $10 in winnings. Our next wager will have to be $10 and if we lose it, it will eat up our entire profit from the previous two bets. If the third bet had won, however, our net profit would have increased to $20. Following the Fibonacci system, we would have placed a $15 wager and even in case of a loss this time, we would still have $5 in winnings.

Spin Bet Outcome Payout Profit
1 $5 Win $10 $5
2 $5 Win $10 $10
3 $10 Win $20 $20
4 $15 Lose $0 $5
Total Bet Amount: $35 Total Payout: $40 Net Profit: $5

It is evident that the Reverse Fibonacci enables casino players to take advantage of longer winning streaks. They could still turn a profit after a losing bet as long as they have won three or more consecutive bets before that. If several losses occur in a row, especially in the beginning of the progression, however, players will need to start the sequence all over again and will find it hard to regain the money they have already lost.

Things to Consider when Using the Fibonacci System

Things to ConsiderNo betting system is perfect and neither is the Fibonacci, so before deciding to use it to play roulette, players should consider several important aspects of it. First of all, it is essential to understand how and when the progression stops. Unlike other systems that can seemingly go for an unlimited amount of time or until the player decides, the Fibonacci sequence could easily come to an end with just a few winning bets (or with a few losing ones in the reverse variation). The reason for this is the rule for going back two steps in the sequence each time we win (or lose if we prefer the Reverse Fibonacci).

Another thing to take into account when applying this system is the potential for huge losses and finding a way to prevent them. Roulette players know well that long losing streaks are real – as real as long winning ones, and as the bet increases at a really steep rate in the Fibonacci system, there is a risk of losing one’s entire bankroll with 7-8 or even more losing spins. This is why players should set a limit in their progression and minimize the losses if possible.

Many experienced gamblers recommend playing no more than 6 or 7 steps of the Fibonacci sequence – the sixth number in the pattern is 8 and the seventh one is 13. If the initial wager is $1, even 10 losing spins in a row would not be huge trouble. If we choose $5 as a basic betting unit for the system, however, and experience a long losing streak, we would lose $270 in 8 spins, $440 in 9 spins, and $715 in 10 losing spins. This is why most players tend to stop the progression if they lose more than 6 bets in a row.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Fibonacci Casino Strategy

pros and consThe Fibonacci numbers are quite an interesting group of numbers and are certainly worth exploring in mathematics or the natural sciences. For gambling, however, they may not be as useful as some casino players want them to be. The betting system based on these otherwise universal numbers comes with its benefits and flaws that have to be carefully weighed against each other.

Compared to most betting strategies, the Fibonacci method is very aggressive – each following bet quickly raises and could lead to devastating losses. At the same time, the system could be very safe and reliable if used with low stakes and for shorter periods of time. In the long run, it will inevitably result in a net loss due to the simple fact that the game of roulette is inherently favorable to the casino and not the players. As long as players limit their game to a maximum of seven or eight of the steps in the sequence, they should be able to generate decent winnings and minimize their losses.

Despite looking very complicated at first sight, the Fibonacci system is quite simple to understand and easy to follow. Usually, players remember the first 10 or 15 numbers of the sequence – 15 steps are too much for most gamblers, though. It is also easy to calculate what each following number would be as long as you remain in the first 10 steps or so. The higher you progress through the Fibonacci ladder, the higher your bets will grow and larger your losses will be.

Conclusion

roulette tableMany players are interested in the Fibonacci betting system as a way to structure their bets and increase the value of their play. Indeed, the strategy seems very successful in certain circumstances but it could be devastating in others. Its basic concept – two losing bets followed by a winning one even each other out, is effective at least in theory but real roulette sessions rarely consist of identical series of two losing and one winning bets.

This is why the Fibonacci strategy should be applied with caution and only by players whose disposition and bankroll can tolerate medium risk. Overall, this a good system for those who have already tried simpler money management methods and are now searching for a more exciting strategy with the potential to bring them decent winnings over time.