French Roulette

French roulette is the oldest version of roulette, and its origins can be traced back to the 18th century. Today the game remains extremely popular, and is known for its unique rules such as La Partage and En Prison, which reduce the house edge and make the odds more favourable for players. 

French roulette closely resembles European roulette, and both games feature 37 pockets numbered 1-36, plus one zero pocket. However, French roulette has added benefits for players on even-money bets, making it particularly appealing to those looking to maximise their odds of winning.

Key Features of French Roulette

French roulette can be distinguished from other versions of the game in a few ways, including the use of French terminology like ‘La Partage’ and ‘En Prison.’ These unique rules offer an advantage to the player, giving them a chance to minimise losses.

Single-Zero Wheel

• Overview: Like European roulette, French roulette uses a single-zero (0) wheel with a total of 37 pockets (1-36 and 0).
• Significance: The single-zero layout gives French roulette a low house edge of 2.7%, which is further reduced by its special rules. In comparison, American roulette has a double-zero layout, which gives an advantage to the casino.
• Pros and Cons:
• Pros: French roulette has a lower house edge compared to American roulette, providing better odds for players.
• Cons: French roulette is not always available, especially in North America, where American roulette is more common.

Unique Table Layout and Terminology

• Overview: French roulette uses traditional French terms for bets and has a distinct table layout.
• Examples of Terms: “Rouge” and “Noir” for red and black,“Pair” and “Impair” for even and odd, and “Passe” and “Manque” for high and low numbers. If you are planning to play French roulette, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with these terms.
• Pros and Cons:
• Pros: The use of French terms adds authenticity to the roulette game, and appeals to those familiar with French language and culture.
• Cons: The terminology may be confusing for beginners unfamiliar with French, requiring a bit of research.

Unique Rules in French Roulette

There are a few rules that are specific to French roulette, which are designed to help reduce player losses on certain bets. Let’s take a look at them in more detail below:

La Partage Rule

• Overview: In French roulette, the La Partage rule applies to even-money bets, offering a unique way to minimise losses. ‘La Partage’ means ‘The Divide’ in English.
• How It Works: If the ball lands on zero, players lose only half of their even-money bet rather than the full amount.
• Pros and Cons:
• Pros: This rule reduces the house edge (or the casino’s advantage) to 1.35% on even-money bets, increasing long-term odds for players.
• Cons: It only applies to even-money bets, so other bets don’t benefit from this rule.

En Prison Rule

• Overview: This is another player-friendly rule that is sometimes used in French roulette, on even-money bets only. ‘En Prison’ means ‘In Prison’ in English.
• How It Works: If the ball lands on zero, even-money bets are “imprisoned” or frozen for the next spin. If the player wins on the next spin, their bet is returned. If the player loses, the casino keeps the money. 
• Pros and Cons:
• Pros: This rule offers a second chance for even-money bets, effectively reducing potential losses.
• Cons: It is less common than La Partage and may be confusing for beginners.

Types of Bets in French Roulette

French roulette offers bets that are similar to those in European roulette, but with French names. Take a look at our summary below for a quick introduction:

Inside Bets

• Overview: Inside bets include wagers placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers within the inner part of the table layout. These bets offer lower odds of winning but better payouts.
• Types of Inside Bets: Straight-Up (En Plein), Split (Cheval), Street (Transversale), and Corner (Carré).
• Pros and Cons:
• Pros: There is the potential to win higher payouts with inside bets, since the risk is greater.
• Cons: This same point about increased risk can also be a con, depending on your risk appetite. Chances of winning are lower with inside bets.

Outside Bets

• Overview: Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers, typically offering better odds but lower payouts. They are placed on the outside of the table layout.
• Types of Outside Bets: Red/Black (Rouge/Noir), Odd/Even (Pair/Impair), and High/Low (Passe/Manque).

• Pros and Cons:
• Pros: These types of bets offer a lower risk with more frequent wins, making them more suitable for beginners or players with a low risk appetite.
• Cons: Of course, this can also be a con, since the potential payouts for outside bets are smaller.

Pros and Cons of Playing French Roulette

French roulette has a few differences from its American and European counterparts. We recommend trying them all to see which you prefer, but in the meantime here’s a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of playing French roulette.

• Pros:
• French roulette has a lower house edge due to the La Partage and En Prison rules, giving players a chance to minimise losses on even-money bets.
• French roulette offers a unique experience, with French terms and rules.
• Cons:
• French roulette is not always available to play worldwide, especially outside of European casinos.
• The French terminology and unique rules may require extra learning for beginners.

Common Misconceptions about French Roulette

If you’ve never played French roulette before, you may have some misconceptions about the game. In this section we cover some common misconceptions, and then explain how the game really works.

Misconception 1 - French Roulette Has a Higher House Edge

Some players believe that because French roulette uses unique rules, it might have a higher house edge – meaning that the casino has a greater advantage than in other roulette variations.

In reality, French roulette actually has one of the lowest house edges in roulette, especially on even-money bets.This is due to the La Partage and En Prison rules, which can minimise the risk of losses for players.

Understanding the impact of the La Partage and En Prison rules (which we explained a little earlier in this article) can help to debunk the myth that French roulette has a higher house edge.

Misconception 2 - French Roulette Is Only for Advanced Players

There is a misconception that the French terms and rules used in French roulette make this version more complex and challenging than others.

The truth is that while the terminology is different, the gameplay is very similar to European roulette. The French terms used are just translations of English ones (for example, ‘Pair’ and ‘Impair’ translates to ‘Evens’ and ‘Odds’), so once you know what they mean the game is quite simple.

French roulette actually favours players more than other variations, and it can be enjoyed by both beginners and more experienced players.

Misconception 3 - French Roulette Is Hard to Find Online

Some people think that French roulette is only available in European casinos, and difficult to find online.

However, in reality many online casinos (like Genting Casino, for example) offer a selection of French roulette games, with live dealer versions available too. These games often feature the La Partage and En Prison rules, making it easy to experience French roulette wherever you are.

Why French Roulette Is Popular Among Players

French roulette is one of the oldest casino games of all time, and it continues to attract a new generation of players. 

This variation of the game has one of the lowest house edges available in roulette, which is an advantage for players. Its unique rules, La Partage and En Prison, offer an opportunity for players to get half of their stake back on losing even-money bets, making French roulette a great choice for those looking to reduce risk while still enjoying a classic casino game.

Play French Roulette at Genting Casino

French roulette presents an exciting opportunity to try roulette in its original form, with an attractive low house edge and player-friendly rules. While this variant may seem complex at first, the rules are similar to European roulette but with better odds for players.

Try French roulette today at Genting Casino for an authentic gaming experience wherever you are.