French Roulette: Everything You Need to Know

The game of roulette originated in 17th-century Europe. It developed into two distinct versions, known today as French Roulette and European Roulette, before being introduced to the American continent and adapted yet further. French roulette has a few rule variations and betting options that add to the excitement of your gameplay.  

Roulette is played using a horizontal casino wheel separated into different coloured pockets numbered from 0 to 36. The American version also has a double zero pocket, which changes your odds of winning and the house edge.

Players sit at the betting table, where your betting options are laid out for you to place bets using your casino chips. Your objective is to predict which pocket a ball dropped into the spinning roulette wheel will land and bet accordingly. 

Along with the standard inside and outside betting options, French roulette includes some additional bets and gameplay rules to add to the excitement of your game. The main variants and how they differ are outlined in the following table: 

The French Roulette Table Layout

The French roulette table is laid out similarly to European roulette in that there are 36 squares numbered 1 to 36 and a single green zero zone at the end, as opposed to the double zero tables used for the American version. 

There are slight differences between the table layout of the French and European games. The even-money bets, for example, are on opposite sides of the table in the French variant, so the outside bets are placed around the outside of the inside bets. 

In addition, French roulette tables are usually written in French, even if they are placed in English-speaking casinos. 

If you are used to playing American roulette, the most significant difference you will notice with French roulette is that it only features a single zero, just like European roulette, and 37 pockets. This significantly improves your odds of winning as the house edge is reduced.

What’s more, and unique to French roulette, are the two rules to help players if the ball falls in the zero pocket: La Partage and En Prison. Below, we look at these two rules and the impact they have on your gameplay: 

La Partage

La Partage is a special rule that applies to even money bets in French roulette. If you have placed an even money bet and the ball lands in the zero pocket when the wheel stops, you will only forfeit half of your bet and get the other half back. 

This rule, which stems from the French verb partager meaning ‘to share’, significantly reduces the impact of the zero pocket and improves your odds of winning. 

En Prison

The second rule is called En Prison, which is French for “in prison” and has a similar function to the La Partage rule listed above, reducing the impact of the zero pocket on outside bets. 

In this instance, you are given a choice if the ball lands in the zero pocket—you can either take half of your bet back, same as La Partage or make the same bet again. 

If you choose the latter, the dealer will mark this bet as being ‘in prison’, and if you win the next round, your bet is released from prison, but you are not awarded any additional winnings. If you lose this round, the bet is forfeited. 

Both the La Partage and En Prison rules reduce the house edge for even-money bets to 1.35%, which can benefit players adopting specific strategies such as the Martingale System. 

How to Play French Roulette

To start playing French Roulette, log into your online casino account and click on the game tile to launch your game. Use casino chips to place your chosen wager/s during the allotted betting time, then watch as the dealer spins the wheel to see where the ball lands. 

Betting Options in French Roulette

The table below details the regular betting options that are available in French roulette and the payouts you can expect from a winning bet: 

Call bets

Call bets are often represented on a separate racetrack betting station and cover unique bets as detailed below:

• Tiers du Cylindre: Covers 12 numbers, including 27 and 33, and the numbers between them are on the side of the roulette wheel opposite zero.

• Voisins du Zero: Covers 17 numbers, including 22 and 25, and the numbers between them are on the same side of the roulette wheel as the zero. 

• • Orphelins a Cheval: Covers eight numbers on the two sections of the roulette wheel that are not covered by the bets above. 

• Jeu Zero: Covers zero and the six numbers in closest proximity: 12, 35, 3, 26, 32, 15.

Online French Roulette

French roulette at online casinos allows you to enjoy a lower house edge, making you more likely to get a higher return on your wagers. This isn’t a guarantee, but it certainly improves your chances, mainly while playing at online casinos, which already offer players a higher RTP percentage than their brick-and-mortar counterparts. 

In addition, if you are playing at online casinos, you can take advantage of generous welcome bonuses and special offers to boost your win potential. 

Strategies for Winning at French Roulette

You can adopt various strategies to improve your chances of winning French roulette, each effective to a different degree. 

The best advice we can give is always to bet responsibly. Set limits before you start playing, and only bet within your means. Use the responsible gambling tools provided by online casino operators to help you manage your bankroll. 

It’s also essential to always do your homework and understand the game rules and odds before placing any bets. 

Some gamblers claim specific strategies can help improve your chances of winning. We have listed the most common below: 

The Martingale System

The Martingale System is one of the most common strategies adopted by roulette players, which involves doubling your bet amount after each loss. The theory behind the Martingale System is that you will eventually recoup your losses when you hit a winning hand. It does require a large bankroll to accommodate the rise in your bet value.

D’Alembert Strategy

The D’Alembert Strategy is a negative progression system. Start at a base bet value and place an even money bet, such as odds or evens or black or red. If you lose, increase the next bet by one; if you win, decrease your next bet by one. So, if your initial bet is $10 and you win, your next bet will be $9; if you lose, your next bet will be $11. 

Fibonacci System

The Fibonacci System is another negative progressive betting system, this time following the Fibonacci Sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, etc.). Following a losing bet, your next bet is the sum of your two previous bets until you win. Each time you win, you back up two numbers in the sequence.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Remember that online casino games are games of chance designed to be a form of entertainment and not a way to earn a living. Avoid making common mistakes when playing French roulette to ensure you always get the most out of your game.

Always consider your bankroll when choosing which tables to play. Find tables that suit your gambling style and have minimum betting that accommodates your balance. Only bet with what you can afford, and always pick a strategy that complements your bankroll. 

Final Thoughts

French roulette is a fantastic game with a low house edge and increased betting options. The absence of the double zero and added La Partage and En Prison rules help to skew the game in your favour, making it ideal for casual players.

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