French Roulette is possibly the best version of Roulette, online and at land-based casinos. This is because of the unique betting rules, ‘La Partage’ and ‘En Prison’. Originating in France during the 18th century, French Roulette has stood the test of time and become even more popular in Monte Carlo and today around the globe.
When playing at an online casino, every Australian wants the most outstanding value and potential return for their money, so choosing the right Roulette that brings the best payout opportunity is necessary. And French Roulette has some of these bets, which cut the house edge to a menial 1.35%.
How to Play French Roulette Online
French Roulette is played with the same Wheel as the European Roulette wheel, with 37 pockets numbered 1 – 36 split between black and red with a single green pocket marked 0. The way the game works is straightforward.
The digital table has blocks for each number in their color that relates to the Wheel. Players can make a multitude of different bets, which is detailed in the next section. The following is an example of how a round of French Roulette online would go.
- Players start by placing bets on the table shown on their screen.
- Once they are finished betting, they click the “Spin” button.
- The Wheel and ball will automatically spin and finally stop when the white ball lands on one of the 37 pockets.
- Lastly, the casino pays out any winning bets. A winning bet is shown by the ball landing on the number, color, or section of the Wheel on which a player placed a bet. The player will receive what they are owed depending on the payout odds.
Real Money French Roulette Betting
The main objective when playing French Roulette is to predict where the white ball will land on the roulette wheel. To do that, players place their bets around the table, displayed on the screen, on particular numbers, etc. After which, the dealer or croupier will spin the Wheel in one direction and the ball in the opposite. When the ball settles in a pocket, the respective bets are paid.
When playing French Roulette online, there are two standard betting sections individual numbers and groups of numbers. These are known as the inside and outside bets. The inside bets are those specific to the numbers on the roulette wheel, and outside bets are groups of; numbers, colors, or sectors of the Wheel.
The majority of the betting options have different odds of winning and different payout ratios. The following section presents a detailed table of the various bets, their respective payouts, and odd percentages.
Regular Inside and Outside Bets, Odds, and Payouts.
The Inside bets are shown in this table:
Type of Bet |
Payout Ratio | Odds |
Bet Explained |
Straight-Up | 35:1 | 2.7% | Choosing any single number from the roulette wheel (can include the 0). |
Split | 17:1 | 5.4% | Placing a bet on the line separates two numbers (can include 0). |
Street | 11:1 | 8.1% | Betting on the end of a row of three numbers (can also include the 0). |
Corner | 8:1 | 10.8% | Placing a bet on a group of four connected numbers in a square (can include the 0). |
Line | 5:1 | 16.2% | Placing a bet on two horizontal rows at the edge of the six numbers (can include the 0). |
The Outside bets are shown in the table below:
Type of Bet | Payout Ratio | Odds |
Bet Explained |
Column | 2:1 | 32.4% | Betting on either the first, second or third vertical column of numbers. |
Douzaine = Dozen | 2:1 | 32.4% | Betting on either the first, second or third sequential dozens of numbers. |
Rouge/Noir = Red or Black | 1:1 Also known as an even money bet | 47.8% | Betting on all the red or black numbers. |
Pair/Impair = Even or Odd | 1:1 Also known as an even money bet | 47.8% | Betting on all the even or odd numbers. |
Manque / Passe = Low or High | 1:1 Also known as an even money bet | 47.8% | Betting on the first 18 numbers (1-18) or the second set of 18 numbers (19-36) |
French Bets Roulette: Call Bets
As players become more familiar with the French Roulette game, they will likely encounter unique bets not played in any other Roulette variant. These are known as call bets or announced bets. They may seem advanced due to their French names, but they are pretty easy to understand once you get the hang of them.
These call bets cover a range of numbers and sectors of the Wheel. An online gambler will find these bets on the racetrack layout, separate from the classic roulette table. The call bets are as follows:
Voisins du Zéro
Translated to ‘Neighbours of zero’, this is a bet on all 17 numbers between 22 and 25. It comprises nine chips spread out in five split bets, a corner bet, and a three-numbered bet on 3,2, and 0.
Le Tiers du Cylindre
Translated to ‘Thirds of the wheel’, this is a bet on one-third of the Wheel directly across from the zero pockets from the numbers 27 to 33. This bet is made up of six chips placed as splits between all of them.
Jue Zero
Also called: ‘Zero games’, this is a bet on all the seven numbers closest to the pocket 0. It includes the numbers 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, and 15 and only requires four chips to complete the bet. Three split bets and a straight-up bet on 26.
Les Orphelins
Or, ‘Orphans’, this bet covers eight numbers. The remaining three numbers are on the right of the 0 pockets (17,34, 6), and the five remain on the left (1, 20, 14, 31, and 9). The bet comprises five chips, four split bets, and one straight bet on 1.
Finales en Plein
This is a bet where the player will place wagers on all the numbers ending in the same number, for example, 5,15,25,35. All of them are straight-up bets, so landing one will be very profitable.
Finales a Cheval
This is a bet where the player makes multiple straight-up and split bets that involve two numbers of the player’s choosing. For example, a Finales, a Cheval bet on 3 and 4, will include the numbers 3, 4, 13, 14, 23, 24, 33, and 34. The chosen numbers will determine how many split and straight bets a player will need.
French Roulette Rules
Exclusive to French Roulette, two rules genuinely make the game more exciting and in the player’s favor. The ‘En Prison and ‘La Partage’ rules, these rules are explained below:
- En Prison: The “en prison” rule applies to even-money bets (bets on red/black, odd/even or high/low) and states that if the ball lands on zero, the player’s bet is kept ‘in prison’, meaning that the player’s bet is held in place for the next round. In the next spin, if the bet wins, the player receives their stake back, but if it loses, the stake is given to the casino. And if the ball lands on zero again, the bets are kept ‘in prison’.
- La Partage: The “la partage’ rule is similar to “en prison”, except when the ball lands on zero, the player receives half the wager, and the casino receives the other half. Therefore, the house edge for all even money bets is as little as 1.35%.
The Difference between French and American Roulette
The most substantial difference between French Roulette online and American Roulette is that there is only one green zero pockets on the French Roulette wheel, instead of two green zero pockets marked “0” and “00” in American Roulette.
The single zero on the French Roulette wheel means a more minor house edge of 2.7%, whereas the American Roulette has a house edge of 5.26%. The French Roulette game can lower the house edge with the “La Partage” rule on even-money bets.
Lastly, the table and wheel layout can differ between the variants. The Wheel in American Roulette has the numbers facing out to the players, and the Wheel in French Roulette has the numbers facing toward the Wheel’s center. The placement of outside bets on the French Roulette table is on either side, whereas the American Roulette table has all the outside bets down one side.
Best French Roulette Strategy and Tips
- Use the “La Partage” rule: With the House edge being decreased to as little as 1.35% when this rule is in effect, it is essential to play the even-money bets as the odds of winning are much higher than European or American Roulette.
- Ignore hot numbers: Don’t let the “hot numbers” display affect where to put down wagers. The hot numbers are random and do not prove anything, as the ball can land on any pocket at any time. Every Roulette spin is independent and can produce any of the 37 numbers.
- Keep a tight Bankroll: When starting out playing French Roulette, keep aside money you cannot go over and can afford to lose, or you may put yourself in debt. Have fun, and don’t let the gaming experience run you into a deficit.
- Learn the Odds: Take the time to grasp the odds and payout ratios fully. Being familiar with these can assist players in making smarter bets by realizing which bets to take and when to take them, depending on the size of their pockets and strategy.
Live French Roulette
Live French Roulette is a version of Roulette played with a Live Dealer in real-time, which allows interaction with the dealer and other players through a live video stream. Regular online French Roulette is a computer-generated version that uses a random number generator (RNG) for outcomes and automated betting/payout.
Live French Roulette provides a more immersive experience, and some versions of French Roulette and Live French Roulette have the “En Prison”: and “La Partage” rules which make the game more favorable for the player.
French Roulette on Mobile
Did you know players can now play French Roulette online on mobile devices? That’s right; you can enjoy the thrill and excitement of the game anytime, anywhere, with the convenience of your mobile phone or tablet.
Many online casinos offer mobile-compatible versions of French Roulette, allowing players to gamble on their favorite online casino games on the go! Whether waiting for your train, lunch break, or just relaxing at home, you can now play French Roulette online on your mobile device.
So why wait? Download the mobile app on IOS or Android and start playing French Roulette today!
More About Roulette Online
- How to Play Roulette
- Live Roulette
- Roulette Strategy
- Roulette Apps
- Online Roulette Rules
- Roulette FAQs
- Betting Systems
- European Roulette
- American Roulette
- Multi-Ball Roulette
- Live Dealer Roulette
- Mini Roulette
- Multi-Wheel Roulette
- Roulette Royale
- Progressive Jackpot
- Auto Roulette
French Roulette Online FAQs
The unique betting options on the Racetrack layout for French Roulette are also known as “Call Bets.” You can read about them further up the page, but here is a list of these bets:
- Voisins du Zéro (Neighbours of zero)
- Le Tiers du Cylindre (Thirds of the Wheel)
- Jue Zero (Zero Game)
- Les Orphans (Orphans)
- Finales en Plein
- Finales a Cheval