The Street And Double Street Bets

STREET BET -- Three numbers in a horizontal row on a roulette table are known collectively as a "street." When a player makes a street bet, he is covering three numbers in a row. If any of these numbers hits on the next spin of the wheel, the player will win. The odds of winning this bet are 3 in 38, or 7.9%, which works out to actual odds of 12.66 to 1. The payout on the bet is 11 to 1.

Expectation (E) = [(% chance of winning) X (amount won)] + [(% chance of losing) X (-amount lost)]

E = [(3/38) X (11)] + [(35/38) X (-1)] = 33/38 + (-35/38) = -2/38 = -1/19 = -.0526 = -5.26%

DOUBLE STREET BET -- This bet basically covers double the territory of the street bet, meaning that it covers six numbers rather than three. This is also known as a six-number bet, or a line bet. It is placed at an outside line at the intersection of two rows of numbers. The odds of winning this bet are 6 in 38, or 15.8%, with actual odds of 5.33 to 1. The double street bet pays at a rate of 5 to 1.

Here is your expectation breaks down for this bet:

Expectation (E) = [(% chance of winning) X (amount won)] + [(% chance of losing) X (-amount lost)]

E = [(6/38) X (5)] + [(32/38) X (-1)] = 30/38 + (-32/38) = -2/38 = -1/19 = -.0526 = -5.26%

As you can see, you're actually working on the same percentage.