Fibonacci Betting Strategy: How Does It Work?

Unfortunately, there is no way to foresee the results of any event 100%, so crypto sports betting at its core will always rely on luck. However, if you are an experienced bettor, you should know that there are ways to increase your chances of winning, at least if you gamble systematically. One of these ways is using mathematically calculated betting strategies. So, being an experienced bettor, I will describe the specifics of the Fibonacci betting method, which I consider one of the most effective strategies.  

What Is The Fibonacci System?

Fibonacci uses negative progression, which shows you how many betting units you risk on each placed wager. This system is based on a certain mathematical formula, which can be used for both gambling (Roulette, Baccarat, Blackjack) or betting (sports, eSports, politics, or any other events). Betting with the Fibonacci system, you need to add two previous numbers from the sequence, which will determine your next bet. Each number represents a betting unit (for example, $1). With the Fibonacci betting system, you will progressively increase the bet by 1 unit after each loss and decrease by 2 units after each win. 

It may sound a bit difficult, but once you master it, it will be much easier. Let’s take a closer look at the history of the Fibonacci sequence in sports betting and the formula at its core.

History Of The Fibonacci Betting System

It is known that the Fibonacci sequence was developed by Indian mathematics approximately in 200 BC. The author was using the sequence to discover possible patterns of Sanskrit poetry formed from syllables of two lengths. However, the modern formula used these days was named after Leonardo of Pisa or Fibonacci – a famous Italian mathematician. The scientist described this formula in his book Liber Abaci (1202).  

Fibonacci has noticed that his negative progression resembles some patterns in nature. For example, the branching process in many tree species, the arrangement of pine cones on the pine tree, etc. The applications of Fibonacci numbers can also be seen in some computer algorithms, such as the Fibonacci heap data structure or Fibonacci networks. Finally, this exact sequence is used for the Fibonacci betting strategy. At some points, professional gamblers discovered that it could be an effective betting strategy where the chances of winning and losing are 50/50 or so. This strategy will not show you what you should bet on but how much you should bet each time in a row to increase the bankroll in the long run.

Fibonacci sequence formula

The Fibonacci sequence is easy and straightforward if you understand how it works. It consists of a strict sequence of numbers. For example, the first ten numbers in the sequence are as follows: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, etc. How are they determined? Each number in the sequence is a sum of the two numbers preceding it:

0 + 1 = 1
1 + 1 = 2
1 + 2 = 3
2 + 3 = 5
5 + 8 = 13
8 + 13 = 21
13 + 21 = 34

If you understand better with formulas, here is the one for the Fibonacci betting system: 

Fn = Fn-1 + Fn-2, if n > 2.

The Fibonacci sequence is endless, and the next number will always be bigger than the two previous ones. 

How Fibonacci Sequence Works In Sports Betting

If you would like to try the Fibonacci strategy in betting, your first step should be the determination of one betting unit (base stake). My experience suggests that disregarding the size of your bankroll, you should make it as low as your bookmaker accepts as a single bet. I like to use $1 as one betting unit to avoid confusion. 

Once you have set the minimal betting unit, find the event you want to bet on and select the bet type. For example, if you guess that in the match San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans, the hosts will easily win with +105 odds, then you should bet 1 unit first. If you lost the bet, then select another event with similar odds and bet 2 units. In case you lose again, bet 3 units for the next time you bet.  

So, using the Fibonacci sequence in sports betting means applying those numbers to determine how many betting units you should use for the next wager. Increase by 1 unit after every loss, and once you have won, return back by 2 units. The idea behind using this sequence in betting is using a mathematically calculated pattern, which theoretically ensures that you will recover your losses and get profit in the long run. However, to make this strategy work, I suggest selecting bets with low odds like +105, +115, or -105, -115, so the chances of losing and winning will be nearly 50/50.

Advantages And Disadvantages

In my experience, the Fibonacci sports betting system works for players with both limited and unlimited bankrolls. However, it may seem like a risky strategy, especially for newcomers in betting. So, let’s assess all the pros and cons of using the Fibonacci sequence as a betting pattern.

Comparing the Fibonacci System To Other Strategies

The Fibonacci betting strategy is trusted by numerous bettors around the world, but it’s not the only system based on negative progression. I know at least three more strategies I have used myself, and I can recommend them as sufficient. Hence, if for any reason you do not like the  Fibonacci system, let me introduce to you other efficient strategies: 

Martingale System

Another popular betting system was named after John Henry Martindale, who was a casino owner in London in the 1700s. However, the accurate name was lost through the centuries, and now we know his strategy as the Martingale system. If the Fibonacci strategy in betting looks too complicated because of the sequence, then Henry Martindale has an easier alternative for you. 

The idea behind the Martingale system is that you simply need to double the previous bet after each loss. So, in this case, you have to determine the initial bet (for example, $1), and to determine the next one, just multiply it by 2. Therefore, if you lose your $1, the next time you must bet $2; the third bet will be $4, then $8, etc. In case you win, cut the winning bet by 2 and continue. The pros and cons of this strategy are the same as for the Fibonacci system, except that with Martingale, you risk exhausting your bankroll before returning losses faster.

D‘Alembert System

This strategy was first developed for casino games with 50/50 winning chances in the late 18th century. The core of this strategy is the formula invented by the French mathematician Jean le Rond D’Alembert. These days, the D’Alembert system is definitely among the top three strategies for both gamblers and bettors. 

Under the guidelines of D’Alembert, you need to determine a betting unit and increase it by 1 each time you lose. Hence, if $1 is your base stake, then the second bet will be $2, the third will be $3, the fourth will be $4, etc. If you win,  just repeat the winning bet. This way, your stakes increase much more slowly if compared to Martingale or Fibonacci betting systems. This is a safer strategy, so if you look only to protect your bankroll, D’Alembert’s strategy is the best. However, the chances of making considerable profits from this system are low.

Labouchere System

The last but not least strategy I can recommend as an efficient substitute for the Fibonacci sports betting method is Labouchere. This system was developed in the late 18th – early 19th century by a famous British politician and roulette player, Henry Labouchere. This strategy involves the sequence of a few numbers that the player must write down in order not to get confused. 

The first step with the Labouchere system is the same as with the Fibonacci betting strategy: you set up your own betting unit (for example, $1). Afterwards, you start writing down the first three numbers as you count: 1 – 2 – 3. Then, you add the outer number from the sequence to determine how many betting units you will bet: 1+3 = 4. It means you start with $4. In case you lose, add to your sequence the next number – 4. So, for the next wager, you will have 1 – 2 – 3 – 4, where the sum of outer numbers will be 5. Hence, your next bet will be $5, etc. You continue this operation every time you lose, but when you win, just remove the outer numbers from the sequence and use the next. In our case, it means removing 1 and 4, which leaves you with 2 and 3. So, your wager after losing $5 will be $5 again. 

Closing Thoughts

There are numerous betting strategies that professional betting players utilize to protect the bankroll and get income. Having used all the mentioned strategies, I can confirm that they work perfectly in a vacuum – if there are no exogenous factors. However, in real life, betting odds over +115 and lower -115 will not obey the patterns in the described strategies. Moreover, when sportsbooks charge house edges and block suspicious bets, loss recapturing might fail. So, when using Fibonacci betting or any other strategy mentioned, I suggest you never chase losses outside the sequence and know where to stop when trying to earn a fortune.