How to Use the Fibonacci Betting Strategy
The Fibonacci sequence is a well-known series of numbers famous for its recurring appearance in nature, art, and mathematics. However, this simple series of numbers has many applications, and it didn’t take long for bettors to start applying it to their favorite pastime. kab
While the Fibonacci sequence doesn’t have some magical property that will guarantee you wins, it’s a sensible betting strategy that can help you improve your chances and wager your money wisely.
Other Betting Strategies:
What is the Fibonacci Betting Strategy
The Fibonacci sequence is a simple series of numbers where the next value is determined by adding the previous two units together. In this way, each number will exponentially rise in value to cover the total of all previous numbers in the sequence. The early sequence looks like this:
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144…
While the sequence had been widely known for centuries prior, it wasn’t until the sequence was brought to the West by Fibonacci that it became culturally pervasive. This curious sequence is famous for showing up all over the place, even when it isn’t expected. Nature gravitates towards it for natural spirals, such as seeds in sunflowers and snail shells. We also see it frequently within art and the concept of the golden ratio.
When it comes to betting, though, the benefit lies in how it progresses to account for the numbers before it.
How to Use the Fibonacci Betting System
When betting, we can use the Fibonacci sequence to dictate the progression of our wagers. It’s a negative progression system, so we increase our stake when we lose a bet and reduce it after a win. By following this, the idea is that with a large enough bankroll, you can always make back everything you’ve lost.
The Fibonacci sequence in particular accounts for the sum of your previous bets, which is more precise than other negative progression systems like the Martingale or Labouchere systems.
So to use the system, you simply make bets according to the Fibonacci sequence. Each time you lose a bet, your next bet progresses through the system. So 1, then 2, 3, 5, and so on. However, if you win, you take two steps back in the sequence and start again from there.
Like all other negative progression systems, the Fibonacci betting strategy is designed to work with even payout bets. Like, odds versus evens in roulette, or player versus banker in baccarat. These bets are as close to a coin flip as you can get in public gambling, which is why the strategy is viable. If you try to apply this strategy to other odds, you should expect far less success.
Example
To give you a clear idea of how you use the Fibonacci betting system, here’s a quick example of a possible series of bets made at a 1:1 payout:
| Bet | Wager | Win/Lose? | Overall Profit |
| 1 | $1 | Lose | -$1 |
| 2 | $2 | Lose | -$3 |
| 3 | $3 | Lose | -$5 |
| 4 | $5 | Win | $5 |
| 5 | $2 | Lose | $3 |
| 6 | $3 | Lose | $0 |
| 7 | $5 | Win | $10 |
Despite this example, you don’t have to start at $1. The Fibonacci sequence should be treated more like a multiplier you apply to your base bet. For example, one unit could be $5, with you multiplying $5 by each number in the sequence to know how much to wager. So $10, $15, $25, $40, and so on.
Pros and Cons of the Fibonacci Betting System
The Fibonacci is an excellent method of structuring your bets, but some drawbacks may make it a poor fit for you.
✔️Pros
- Versatile — you can use the Fibonacci betting system on any series of even odds bets
- Simple — this strategy doesn’t require paper or complex memorization. Just learn the first few digits of the sequence to get started, and figuring out the later digits is easy
- Reliable — while no strategy is going to guarantee a win, following a strategy like this will improve your chances of gaining a profit in the long term, as long as you have a large budget
❌ Cons
- Negative Progression — this strategy is about recouping losses by making bigger bets, which can lead right to the gambler’s fallacy. There’s no guarantee that a win is just around the corner, even at close to even odds
- Bad for small budgets — since you’re increasing your bets when you lose, you can go deep into the red before possibly winning anything back, so you need a big up-front bankroll to make good use of the strategy
- Even odds only — while you can apply this strategy to many different games, if there isn’t a clear even odds bet to make, you can’t rely on it. So, fringe bets and games like poker can’t use this system.
What can you use the Fibonacci Sequence to Bet On?
Like most betting strategies, the Fibonacci betting system only works if you use it on 1:1 bets. With even odds and a fixed return for each play, the strategy becomes much easier to predict and implement. Here are the top games you should try the Fibonacci betting strategy on:
- Roulette — like most negative progression strategies, the Fibonacci sequence is at its best when you use it on roulette. All the classic bets have even odds and payout, so you have plenty of choice and aren’t locked to one specific bet. Just keep in mind that different roulette wheels will have different odds; we recommend playing on a European wheel when possible and avoiding the Triple-Zero wheels at all costs.
- Baccarat — arguably, in the modern casino space, baccarat (punto banco or mini-baccarat specifically) is the best option for negative progression strategies. Both the player and banker hands have close to even odds (with the banker hand a little better, but also with that pesky house commission), so you can easily employ the strategy.
- Blackjack — while this can be a little more variable, blackjack is a good option for this system. Blackjack has the lowest house edge of any casino game, but this depends on your personal skill. If you’re still starting out, leave the strategy behind and focus on just making small risk plays and enjoying yourself. But if you’re an experienced blackjack player, the Fibonacci strategy could be right up your alley.
- Sports Betting — betting systems are harder to manage in sports betting, but that hasn’t stopped people from using the Fibonacci betting system to great effect. You’ll need to curate which bets you make so they all fall at even odds, but if you make a large number of sports bets, this could be an interesting option.
What you shouldn’t use it for
On the other hand, there are certain games we strongly recommend you avoid using a betting strategy like this on:
- Poker — there’s no reliability to the odds in poker, and you aren’t even playing against the house. The stakes and outcomes are wildly variable, so using any inflexible betting strategy like this one is inadvisable.
- Slots — most slots have a house edge at around 5%, which could arguably make them a decent candidate for a negative progression system. However, slots have no reliability when it comes to return value, so increasing your bets doesn’t necessarily mean that winning will make up for your losses, which defeats the purpose of the strategy.
How effective is the Fibonacci Betting System?
No betting strategy is guaranteed to work. After accounting for the house edge, you will always lose more than you win at a casino. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid strategies like this one altogether.
The Fibonacci betting system helps to inform how you’ll make your next wager, which will always be better for casual players than simply working off of gut instinct. However, as a negative progression system, it’s also built upon chasing losses, which is a problem in its own right.
When it comes down to it, if you have a large bankroll or work with small wagers, the Fibonacci sequence can help structure your bets and result in more consistent wins. But all it takes is a bad losing streak to wipe out your bankroll. So the main thing to take away is that, regardless of your betting strategy, always know when to cut your losses.
FAQs
What is the Fibonacci Sequence?
The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers where each digit is the sum of the previous two in the sequence. It’s notable for recurring in nature and artwork.
How does the Fibonacci Betting System Work?
Use the Fibonacci sequence to dictate how much you bet. As you lose bets, increase your stake according to the Fibonacci sequence, ie, 2, 3, 5, etc. When you win a bet, go back two steps in the sequence and start again from there (so if you bet $5 and win, next you’ll bet $2).
Is Fibonacci a good strategy?
The Fibonacci betting system can help you reclaim losses since each increase accounts for all money lost up to that point. However, effectiveness will depend on the player. You need a large bankroll and a willingness to go far into the red to get anywhere with this system.
What are the disadvantages of Fibonacci?
The Fibonacci betting system is a negative progression system, so it requires you to go deep into the red for the chance to win it back. This can be bad for budget players and people who struggle with the gambler’s fallacy. It also limits you to even odds games, so it’s hard to apply to sports betting or games like poker and slots.
