French Roulette Guide

French Roulette Table

Similarly to European Roulette, this version is a single zero roulette. However, there are some things that distinguish the French Roulette table.

To see out what sets this variation apart we're going to compare it to its European counterpart and South African counterparts. The rules and the betting options in the two variants are exactly the same with some slight adjustments, on the positioning and names on the betting layout:

The Wheel

Don't let the name fool you when it comes to the actual wheel, it will be difficult to tell a French and European wheel apart. Whilst South African Roulette wheels stand out due to the addition of a double-zero pocket, the other two wheels are both single-zero.

In fact, you can almost say that the French variation of the game is played on a European Roulette wheel. Some games try to create a distinction by using a white roulette wheel for the French version.

Just as its European counterpart, this wheel has the same house edge of just 2.7%, and this clearly makes it more attractive to roulette players, compared to the twice as high house advantage of American Roulette. 

When it comes to the actual numbers and their placement, numbers are evenly distributed. Although it may seem like the pockets have been numbered at random, there is, in fact, a reason for all of this.

Firstly roulette wheels of this type aim to balance odd and even numbers as well as red and black spaces. This is also the case for the European wheel in fact. Roulette wheels also try to create a balance between low and high numbers. With single-zero wheels with 37 pockets, this can be done to perfection.

On the other hand, with the American roulette, numbers cannot be spread out so evenly and this is the reason for the difference in house edges. This is why French Roulette has a higher return to player than the South African version.

Betting Layout

Whilst it is hard to tell a French and European Roulette wheel apart, the table layout is where the differences lie. A quick look at a roulette table and you'll immediately be able to tell which is the French table.

Primarily, this is down to the inclusion of the French names on some betting boxes, with the following names for each:

• Manque and Passe = High and Low
• Pair and Impair = Even and Odd
• Premier Douzaine (P12) = 1st Dozen
• MoyenneDouzaine (M12) = 2nd Dozen
• Dernier Douzaine (D12) = 3rd Dozen

As well as the actual names, the placement of betting boxes is different in French Roulette. In other tables can be divided into inside bets and outside bets below. In this case, though, the outside bets: Passe, Pair and Black are placed above the numbers, with the rest are placed below the numbers. Although the layouts may look different, these are solely superficial and do not have any effect on the outcome of the game.

Rules

If you're a regular roulette player, whether online or in land-based establishments then you'll be pleased to know that all variations follow the same simple rules. The aim of the game is to predict where the ball lands by placing real money bets on specific betting boxes. It is in the actual betting types that some complexity comes into things. What makes this variation so distinct is, in fact, the inclusion of special bets known as call bets'.

Another thing that makes this version stand out, are the two additional gameplay rules, which when applied provides you with the chance to regain your stake in the case the ball lands on zero. These two rules reduce the built-in house edge down to 1.35%.

La Partage

La Partage is means “sharing” or “dividing” in French. With this rule, if the ball lands in the zero pocket, all even-money wagers (Red/Black, High/Low, and Odd/Even bets) the dealer immediately splits the bets in half, returning half to the player, and keeping half for the house.

Keep in mind that this rule is applicable only on even-money bets, and it's not available on other types of bets.

En Prison

En Prison, on the other hand, is a variation of the 'La Partage' rule of means that the bet will be “enprisoned” for a duration of one spin. This rule is widely available at land-based casinos, and on some occasions, it can be found in some French Roulette online variation.

Provided that the En Prison rule is available at the table, if the zero is spun, the croupier will place a market on all even-money bets. This way, the even-money bets are “imprisoned” until the next spin of the wheel. If these "enprisoned" bets win on the next spin, players can regain their original wager without actually winning anything, but if they don't the house wins.

Bet Types

Just as on European Roulette, French Roulette players can take place of two major bet types, inside and outside bets, including additional bets, known as announced bets.

Before we look into these though, we have listed the general betting types that can also be placed in this roulette game:

Inside Bets

Inside bets come with higher payouts and lower winning chances. Since they bring more risk, they are recommended for players with more experience. They can be made by placing bets on specific number or numbers in the inner section of the betting table:

• Straight bet - single number bet
• Split bet - placed on the line between two numbers
• Street bet - all three numbers in a row, chip placed at the end of the row
• Corner bet - group of 4 numbers, chip placed in the middle point of the numbers
• Six Line bet - two rows, chip placed at the end of the rows

Outside Bets

These types provide higher odds of winning, but they come with smaller payouts. In general, these bets are low-risk and are made of combinations of numbers and on the outer section of the betting table:

• Column bet - entire column
• Dozen bet- box of 12 numbers
• Colour bet - red or black
• Odd/ Even bet- all odd numbers or all even numbers
• Low/ High bet - all low numbers or all high numbers

Announced Bets

As mentioned, there are some additional betting options known as call or announced bets. These bets are all related to sections of the wheel and there are three types.

When playing French roulette online, these bets can be placed via the “racetrack” submenu, which providers a variety of pre-defined options.

We have listed announced bet, them below with a brief description of each:

• Voisins du Zero aka Neighbours of Zero
• Jeu Zero aka Zero
• Le Tiers du Cylindre, aka Third of the Wheel
• Orphelins aka Orphans
• The Neighbours
• The Finals

If you’d like to find out more about each bet type, we recommend checking out our how to play roulette guide, where we provide in-depth details for each.

Odds & Payouts

This variation is perhaps best known for its La Partage rule. It is, in fact, courtesy of the Partage that French Roulette has such a low house edge, which cuts the initial house edge of 2.70% to 1.35%.

It's about time we actually look into how favourable things actually are for players. We have included a list of the various bet payouts and the odds for each below:

In general, the payouts are similar in most cases irrespective of the type of online roulette you play. When it comes to French roulette, placing even-money bets are more favourable. This said they do have a lower payout than other betting options. The truth is that a lot of winning will come down to straight-up luck and choosing what bets you play will depend on the type of player you are.

There are however some roulette systems to help you develop a roulette strategy that best suits you. Andrucci, Contra d'Alembert and Martingale are just a few of the many roulette strategies out there. 

If we take a closer look at the announced bets mentioned previously, there are some mixed feelings about these. Although Voisins du Zero have the biggest success rate, its payouts are extremely varied and it also requires the use of 9 casino chips. Finals offer the highest payouts, they also come with the lowest success rates.

In general, although players see these bets as something fancy, they all announced bets have a 2.7% house edge. In fact, for all their complexity, you'd get just as good a chance of winning betting on Pair/Impair for instance.

Popular European Roulette Games

Now that you know all about this online roulette variant and where to play it, we'll take a look at some of the best European Roulette variants out there:

Game	Bet Limits	Announced Bets?	Where To Play
French Roulette	R20 – R10,000	Yes	LeoVegas
French Roulette Gold	R20 – R40,000	Yes	Betway Casino
Premium French Roulette	R20 – R20,000	Yes	Betfair Casino
Live French Roulette Gold	R100 – R200,000	Yes	888 Casino

French Roulette by Netent

NetEnt’s French Roulette variant brings top-quality graphics and sound effects, and it’s very popular among players, due to its high RTP.

The game is very easy to play and follows the rules of the classic French roulette tables, which makes it a suitable option for seasoned and new players alike.

You can bring up the racetrack, where you can choose from pre-defined options, and view game statistics in the submenu.

All of the French bets are translated, so you'll see an English version next to each outside bet.

You will have the options to select from a variety of special bets like Finales, and red and black splits, and you can also set your favourite bets.

Besides this, you can also adjust sound and design setting and take advantage of features like quick spin and auto-adjust bet.

Microgaming’s French Roulette Gold Series

Although they are most renowned for their multi-million jackpot slot Mega Moolah, Microgaming's Gold series table games are huge among casino players. Luckily they have included the French version of roulette in the game portfolio and things don't get much better than this.

We particularly like the option to play the game in both regular and expert mode. The latter gives experienced players a lot more control by allowing them to toggle with wheel and bet table layouts. Moreover, there is also an autoplay mode option.

You can customize different betting options, with up to 8 different bet layouts, as well as adjust various game features.

All of the French bets are translated, so you'll see an English version next to each outside bet. 

Premium French Roulette By Playtech

Ever since it came out the Premium French Roulette has had an impressive following, as it features immersive graphics and genuine sounds. PlayTech is no newcomer when it comes to online casinos and you will often find their games on reliable casino sites.

The thing we like most about this game is the high number of settings that can be changed to suit all types of players. In fact, it is possible to choose between table colour, background music and even camera angle. Although this does nothing for the actual game outcomes, it is a nice touch.

It also a good deal of wagering options for all sorts of players and betting ranges. You can also make use of the fast play and autoplay features.

The game interface is really user-friendly. Even though the names of outside bets are in French, they are translated in English, as well. 

There is no racetrack, but you can still make a wide variety of neighbour and announced bets.

Live French Roulette Gold by Evolution Gaming

Some players prefer a more realistic game experience than virtual casinos can tailor for. This has lead to the rise of live casino and an abundance of live dealer roulette games. Evolution Gaming is one of the current market leaders and you will find at least one of their titles at most casino sites.

French Roulette Gold is just one of the options they offer and as the name implies you can expect a 5-star experience with this one. Their croupiers are professionally trained and entertaining and you can even chat with other players.

You can adjust a high number of setting and options. These can range from sound and graphic setting, to choosing which information to be present on the main screen.

Players are also able to change camera angles as well as undo or repeat bets. Besides this, you can also call up the racetrack option, if you'd like to place announced bets.

Conclusion

French Roulette follows roughly the same rules as its European and South African counterparts, but this variant also features two additional rules, that are in favour of the players.

These rules, cut the built-in house edge in half and bring the lowest house edge possible of 1.35%. However, due to this, it is not always available at online casino sites.

Roulette players will have a wide array of French Roulette variants to pick and choose from, each one with its own unique features and exciting betting options. 

French Roulette FAQs