Fibonacci Betting System

25 May 2024

By Jerry Stickman

One of the most common questions I receive from readers is what do I think about this or that betting system. Can the reader win with it?

Each betting system sounds reasonable (well, most of them anyway). The logic presented seems to make sense.

I every case, however, there is something left out of the string of logic that is used to promote the betting system.

This article examines the Fibonacci betting system.

What is Fibonacci betting

The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers that are formed by adding the previous two numbers in the sequence to create the next number in the sequence. The sequence usually starts with 0 and 1. The first 13 numbers in this case are 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144.

According to Wikipedia, the Fibonacci numbers were first described in Indian mathematics as early as 200 BC in work by Pingala on enumerating possible patterns of Sanskrit poetry formed from syllables of two lengths. The sequence is named after Leonardo of Pisa, also known as Fibonacci. The sequence appears often in mathematics and in nature.

The Fibonacci sequence is also used in casino betting systems. Roulette betting systems promote using the Fibonacci sequence to bet the “thirds.” These bets are for one third of the total (non-zero) numbers – 1-12, 13-24, 25-36. Winning bets pay 2-to-1 (3-for-1).

The system proposes starting the betting sequence at one unit – $5. After a loss, future bets are based on the sequence. Once there is a win, the sequence starts from the beginning. The system states that after seven losses in a row, the odds of losing another time are only 2.5 percent. Here is the series of bets for the first seven losing spins: 5, 5, 10, 15, 25, 40, 65. The next (eighth) bet is $105 based on the sequence.

Uninitiated gamblers see this logic as something that (almost) guarantees a win. The following shows the Bet Number, Bet Size, Total Amount Bet, and Amount Won (if that bet is a winner) for all “thirds” bets.

Bet-# Bet-$ Total-$ Win-$
0 0 0 0
1 5 5 15
2 5 10 15
3 10 20 30
4 15 35 45
5 25 60 75
6 40 100 120
7 65 165 195

There are the first seven bets. Note that the bet amount and total amount bet are manageable numbers. More importantly note the when the gambler wins, the amount won is greater than the total amount bet – meaning an overall profit. In fact, the amount won minus the total amount bet increases as the number of bets increases.

Also, remember that there is only a 2.5 percent chance of losing bet number eight. Sounds like a winning system, right?

Let’s continue the losing streak a bit longer and see what the numbers look like.

Bet-# Bet-$ Total-$ Win-$
8 105 270 315
9 170 440 510
10 275 715 825
11 445 1160 1335
12 720 1880 2160
13 1165 3045 3495
14 1885 4930 5655
15 3050 7980 9150

Notice how quickly the bet size and total amount bet increase. However, a winning bet still more than covers the total amount bet.

Will gamblers have that large a bankroll?

What if bet number 15 loses. The next bet in the sequence is $4,935 – nearly $5,000. The total amount bet at that time is $12,915.

How many gamblers have a bankroll that size?

The odds of this happening may be very low, but losing streaks last this long – and longer.

There is one more problem with this betting system – there are maximum table limits. Some are $5,000. Some are higher. Some are lower. Once the gambler reaches that limit, they cannot bet more regardless of their bankroll size.

These are the facts that promoters of this betting system fail to mention. The system will produce a win a good percentage of the time. When it fails, however, (either because the gambler is out of cash, or because the table limit is reached) the gambler’s loss is devastating!

Fibonacci betting systems on losing roulette “thirds” bets may look like gold, but when you know all the facts you realize it is manure.

As always, may all your wins be swift and large, and your losses be slow and small.

Jerry “Stickman”

Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines and 888casino.com. He authored the video poker section of “Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker!” You can contact Jerry “Stickman” at stickmanjerryg@gmail.com