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Roulette – The Double Street Strategy Explained

June 19, 2024

Aside from poker, roulette is one of the most popular games played by hopeful players at both land-based and online casinos.

There are numerous roulette strategies including Martingale, Fibonacci and Fitzroy to name just three of the most well known.

Double Street is yet another roulette strategy for the high roller – a Double Street bet, which lets the player spread the risk when playing the inside numbers.

For players who are wanting the excitement of hitting the numbers but not watching their bankroll disappear, the Double Street system might be right up their street!

How the Double Street Roulette Strategy Plays

The Double Street Roulette strategy is very much like the Five Quads system, in that sets of numbers are wagered on every spin.

The Double Street comprises four individual separate bets, two bets on different streets, one corner ‘quad’ bet, and one straight-up number.

A street is six numbers, each paying 5/1. Let’s assume the bet is £1.00:

  • £2/2 units: Street 1 (six numbers; pays 5/1)
  • £2/2 units: Street 2 (six numbers; pays 5/1)
  • £1/1 unit: Corner bet (four numbers; pays 8/1)
  • £1/1 unit: Straight up (one number; pays 35/1)

So the six units are divided across 17 possible numbers. It is a little more risky than a Five Quads plan that covers 21 numbers (five corners plus a single number).

Trying the Double Street Strategy at the Table

Take the standard European roulette game, for example, where punters can play right now at one of the best online casinos that have a variety of top-of-the-range casino table games, including roulette.

Again, let’s assume that the bet is £1 per unit.

If a player puts £2 on the first street (that is, columns 1 to 6), £2 on the last street (that is, columns 31 to 36), and £2 on the corner bet (that is, 11, 12, 14 and 15). Then, they choose a straight-up number randomly – let’s say 22.

Players should remember that the stakes never change, regardless of losses or wins. The total stakes in units are still 6, the same as in the Five Quads system.

Why Some Players Stand By the Double Street Strategy

One of the main attractions to this roulette playing method is the balance it offers between coverage and win potential. You’re not placing bets on even-money bets like red/black or odds/even, nor are you placing high-risk bets on single numbers that hit only 1/36. Instead, the strategy encourages you to create a hybrid bet. It suits players who want a mix of excitement and structure.

• Covers a decent slice of the wheel –  The betting covers 17 numbers out of 37 on the European roulette table.

• Offers multiple payout levels – The strategy offers a mix of wins, from small but frequent wins from street bets, medium wins from the corner, and bigger wins from the straight-up.

• Keeps risk controlled – It carries a medium level of risk compared to inside betting on fewer numbers.

Variations of the Double Street Strategy

The standard version of the strategy includes two streets, one corner, and one straight-up. However, creative players can modify the strategy to suit their style of play:

1. High/Low Street Combination – Choose one street from the low numbers (1–18) and one from the high numbers (19–36) to encourage better table coverage.

2. Neighbouring Numbers – Select streets and corners that are closer together on the wheel than on the table layout. Some players believe this increases the chance of hitting a group of numbers when the wheel favours sections.

3. Progressive Double Street – This keeps the structure the same but will increase the straight-up bet after a few misses, aiming for an increased payout without changing the other bets.

It’s worth noting that these changes will not change the house edge, but they can make the game feel fresh and a touch more exciting.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Double Street Strategy

As with all good roulette strategies and systems, Double Street is all about being patient. This is about players gaining small wins over the long term. It’s also about riding out any losses, and trust us, there will be plenty of them, as players are only betting on 17 numbers, leaving 20 not covered at all.

Advantages:

• Fixed stake sizes: The bet size doesn’t change, unlike the Martingale strategy and other roulette methods. This makes bankroll management simpler.

• Balanced coverage: It offers a decent spread without overcommitting.

• Fun variety of payouts: You can land 5/1 streets to the high-paying 35/1 straight-up.

• Low minimums possible: The inside bets often have small unit requirements, making it more budget-friendly.

Disadvantages:

• House edge still applies: In European roulette, the house edge remains at 2.7%, and in American roulette, it’s 5.26%.

• Potential for losing streaks: The strategy leaves 20 numbers uncovered, so losing spells can occur.

• Requires discipline: It’s tempting to chase losses or increase bets, which can compromise the strategy.

Bankroll Management with Double Street

The Double Street Strategy is a low-pressure betting tactic, but bankroll management remains important. The strategy requires the player to have a bankroll that can offer 50 to 100 units, which is around 8-16 spins, at 6 units per bet. Of course, this will increase if you get off to a winning start. 

Additionally, there are players who prefer to “win and walk”, leaving the table as soon as their bankroll has doubled. It’s always a good idea to lock in profits, as you can never tell when a game is about to turn against you.  

The Psychology of Using the System

Roulette is very much a mental game as well as a game of odds. The Double Street strategy gives players a sense of control, which can make the experience more enjoyable. By placing a similar set of bets on each spin, you reduce the emotional impact of random betting. It allows you to keep a level head and stick to a method. 

It’s worth remembering that no betting strategy changes the underlying odds. It can offer confidence and focus, which can improve your decision-making, especially when it comes to bet amounts and knowing when to walk away from the table.

The Double Street Strategy – Final Thoughts

Of course, there is no strategy that will guarantee players a win at roulette. It is a game of chance, and players cannot predict which pocket the ball will land in.

It is, however, a lot of fun for players to try out the different strategies that are available and see which one they prefer.

The Double Street strategy is probably one of the easier strategies to master, and because of the low stakes, players won’t, in theory, lose too much money. It offers a nice blend of action, coverage, and payout variety, which is enough to keep experienced players entertained for longer sessions.

Just remember that the green zero is on the table, the house edge is always there, and the most successful players know when to walk away from the game.

Written By
David Lynch

Experienced writer and editor based in Ireland. Attends poker events, covers all casino games and slots, but is really a keen blackjack and roulette player at heart. A sports fanatic among all other things with a soft spot for soccer and F1