Roulette with its spinning wheel, bouncing ball, and massive array of betting options is a real fan’s favourite when it comes to online casino games at Joe Fortune. One type of bet you will often see at the table is the Street Bet. This is an ‘inside bet’ which offers you decent odds and doesn’t bring about too much risk. But what exactly is a street bet?, when should you use it?, and is it a smart bet in the long run?… Here is our rundown on all you need to know.
What Is the Street Bet in Roulette?
A street bet, also known as a row bet, is a wager placed on three consecutive numbers in a single horizontal line on the roulette table for example:
- 1, 2, 3
- 13, 14, 15
- 34, 35, 36
To make a street bet, you place your chips on the outer edge of the row, in effect right on the line that separates the outside betting area from the inside numbers and here is how it works:
- You’re betting on all three numbers at once
- If the ball lands on any of those three you win
- If it lands elsewhere you lose
Simple as that. It is one of the more popular inside bets because it gives you a better chance of winning than a straight-up single number bet, but it does also offer a higher payout than betting on, say, red / black or odds / evens.
Can You Place a Roulette Street Bet That Includes 0?
This is a great question and it depends on the type of roulette wheel you’re playing as in European Roulette with its single 0, you can’t place a standard street bet that includes the 0, but you can place a special bet that covers 0, 1, and 2 or 0, 2, and 3. These are called trio bets or in some places top line bets, it depends on the layout.
In American Roulette, which has 0 and 00, there’s a special top line bet that covers 0, 00, 1, 2, 3 but it is not considered a true street bet, and the odds are worse. So, while you can’t include 0 in a regular street (three-number row), some variants allow a few similar bets with special rules. Always check the layout and rules or ask the dealer if you’re not too sure before placing down your chips.
Tips and Strategies for Street Bets
While roulette is fundamentally a game of chance, there are ways to structure your bets to manage risk and maximise your fun. Let’s look at a couple of simple betting systems and roulette strategies that use street bets as their foundation which might help you reconsider how you play roulette in future.
9 Street System
The 9 Street System is a straightforward way to cover a large portion of the wheel while still maintaining some solid payouts, here’s how it works:
- Choose 9 different streets, this covers 27 numbers in total.
- Place one chip on each street.
- Leave 10 numbers uncovered, giving the house room but this still gives you 73% board coverage.
If any of your streets hit, you win 11 to 1, which means if you had bet 9 units you win 11 units which gives you a profit of 2 units. The goal here is to pick your 9 rows strategically to spread across the table. Some players like to skip every second row, while others choose clusters and some target certain numbers which they believe to be lucky.
The upside to playing this strategy is that it provides you with high board coverage and a decent return. On the flipside it is not a high profit per hit, and multiple consecutive misses will eat heavily into your bankroll.
6 Street System
The 6 Street System, which is not to be confused with a double street bet, is a more conservative version of the 9-street idea. In this system you cover 6 streets, or 18 numbers and here is how to play:
- Choose 6 streets across the board.
- Place one unit on each.
If one hits, you win 11 units for that bet and lose the other 5 which provides you with a net gain of 6 units. You’re covering almost half the board and still getting a healthy payout if it lands right. The positive here is that it is lower risk than playing single numbers with a good reward. On the other hand, there is less coverage, so you’ll lose more often than with the 9-street setup. Both systems don’t change the actual odds, but they help structure your approach which is key to smart roulette play.
What Is the Payout for the Street Bet on Roulette?
This is where street betting finds a nice balance between risk and reward.
- Payout: 11 to 1
- Odds of winning (European Roulette): 3 in 37 – this is about 8.1%
- Odds of winning (American Roulette): 3 in 38 – this is about 7.9%
It’s not as risky as betting on a single number (which pays 35 to 1) but still gives you decent returns compared to outside bets like red/black or odd/even (which pay at Evens).
Consider the Difference Between American and European Roulette
This is important if you’re placing any kind of street bet as European Roulette (1 zero) has better odds as the house edge is 2.7% whereas American Roulette (0 and 00) has worse odds with a house edge of 5.26%. That extra zero matters more than you might think. Over time, the difference eats into your bankroll. If you have the choice, we suggest you always go for European Roulette for street bets.
When Should I Use Street Bets?
Street bets are a solid choice for players who want to mix risk and reward without going all-in on high volatility plays, here are some ideas on when to use them:
- When you want better odds than a single number bet but a higher payout than outside bets.
- As part of a combo betting strategy such as combining a street bet with an outside bet like black/red.
- If you’re feeling out a session and want to spread smaller bets across the board.
- When you’re building a system or pattern (for e.g. covering every third row).
- Street bets also work well for players who are looking for mid-session momentum which is a way of playing that is not too aggressive but also not too conservative.
Is The Street Bet a Good Bet?
Let’s be honest roulette is a game of luck, and no bet will beat the house over the long term. But some bets are more sensible than others, and the street bet fits into the pretty smart category, especially when played with discipline.
Here’s why the street bet is a decent choice when playing roulette:
- Manageable risk – You’re covering 3 numbers with a single chip.
- Balanced payout – 11 to 1 is a healthy return.
- Tactical flexibility – Works well with systems like the 6 or 9 street strategy.
- Slower burner – Not as punishing as single-number bets if you miss on a couple of spins.
Here are some of the cons:
- Still a losing bet over time.
- You need multiple wins to come out ahead in short bursts.
- More complex than red/black or even/odd for any beginners or novices.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a casual player looking to stretch your session and mix in some excitement, street bets are worth a shot, just be mindful of your bankroll and of course avoid chasing losses. Street bets in roulette offer that perfect ‘middle ground’ for players who want solid payouts without going full tilt. So the next time you’re at the roulette table whether at your local casino or spinning online, why not try throwing down a street bet or two as you might just hit your lucky row.