Online French Roulette

Roulette game has also a French variation of the game. The term “roulette” itself comes from the French language. It translates to “little wheel”. According to pieces of imposing history trivia, it was in France where roulette first came about. But how French is French roulette? What are the characteristics of its Frenchness? If compared to European or even American variations, the French roulette has minor differences. Still, there are specific rules that apply in this game, and specific bets, that aren’t typical for the other two popular types of roulette. If you wish to try your luck at the French roulette for free or real money, read some tips in this article:

  • Rules & Odds
  • Differences between French & American roulette
  • Advantages of French roulette
  • Types of bets
  • French roulette tips
  • Summary
  • FAQs
Page contents

Rules & Odds in French roulette

As the round starts, all players are prompted to set their stakes. Next, they wait for the betting window to expire and observe the wheel spinning with the ball tumbling from one pocket to another. As soon as the wheel stops and the ball lands in one of the pockets, the winning number is announced. Players who have made bets on that precise number, or combinations of numbers that include it, win their bets and get their payouts. In French roulette, a great thing is that losing bets on even remain on the table until the next spin, which is a good thing. Another game plan is to place bets on many numbers rather on single pockets. The probability of winning is 2.7% for En Plain - it doubles for En Chaval.

French roulette - return to player.
Bet Type Bet Probability House Edge Return to Player
Straight 2.70% 2.70% 97.30%
Split 5.41% 2.70% 97.30%
Street 8.11% 2.70% 97.30%
Trio (0,1,2 / 0,2,3) 8.11% 2.70% 97.30%
Four-Number (0,1,2,3) 10.81% 2.70% 97.30%
Square or Corner 10.81% 2.70% 97.30%
Six Line 16.2% 2.70% 97.30%
Column 32.4% 2.70% 97.30%
Dozen (P12, M12, D12) 32.4% 2.70% 97.30%
Red / Black 48.64% 2.70% 97.30%
Impair (Odd) / Pair (Even) 48.64% 2.70% 97.30%
Manque (Low) / Passe (High) 48.64% 2.70% 97.30%

Types of bets at French roulette

What is great about roulette is that it provides a good range of betting options. With a wheel that has 37 pockets (or slots, or whatever you want to call them), the betting possibilities are huge. The ball will always find a way into a pocket with a specific number. However, that doesn’t mean you can only bet on a single number. There are various combinations involved and we’re about to break it down.

Inside Bets

  • French roulette bet type - Straight up

    En Plein/Straight Up

    On a single number on the betting layout (a prediction on the number the ball will land on). Pays 35:1
  • French roulette bet type - split/double

    En Chaval/Split

    On the border between any two adjacent numbers (if any of the two wins, the bet wins). Pays 17:2
  • French roulette bet type - street

    Transversale/Street

    on any of the three numbers appearing in a row on the betting layout. Pays 11:1
  • French roulette bet type - corner

    Carre/Corner

    On four numbers, any square block on the betting layout. Pays 8:1
  • French roulette bet type - red/black

    Black/Red

    betting on either the 18 red or the 18 black numbers on the wheel. Pays even money, 1:1
  • French roulette bet type - odd/even

    Pair/Impair aka Even/Odd

    on even or odd numbers, regardless of the colour. Pays even money, 1:1
  • French roulette bet type - high/low

    Passe/Manque aka High/Low

    on any of the 18 low numbers (1 through 18) or the 18 high numbers (19 through 36). Pays even money, 1:1
  • French roulette bet type - columns

    Columns

    Bets that cover a vertical line of 12 numbers. Pays 2:1
  • French roulette bet type - Voisins du Zero

    Voisins du Zéro

    Bet on all 17 numbers between numbers 22 and 25, including these two
  • French roulette bet type - Jeu zero

    Jeu Zero

    Bet on numbers that are located the closest to 0, including the 0 (7 numbers in total)
  • French roulette bet type - tiers du cylindre

    Tiers du Cylindre

    on any of the three numbers appearing in a row on the betting layout. Pays 11:1
  • French roulette bet type - Orphelins

    Orphelins

    Bet covers the two remaining sections beyond the Tiers and Voisins areas, 8 numbers
  • French roulette bet type - finales

    Finales

    Bet on numbers that end in the same digit; for example, 5, 15, 25 and 35.

Differences between French & American roulette

A quick examination of the two wheels gives away the fundamental difference between the two game types. The French wheel has 37 pockets marked with the numbers from 0 to 36. On the other hand, the American roulette wheel has 38 pockets. It also features numbers from 0 through 36 with an addition of a slot bearing a double zero. One other thing to keep in mind – the numbers are laid out according to a slightly different pattern on the American wheel. These dissonances result in different house margins. French roulette boasts an advantage of 2.7%. Meanwhile, the house has an advantage of 5.26% in American roulette. When La Partage/En Prison features are in play, the French roulette margin goes down to 1.35%.

American vs. French

American roulette wheel vs. French roulette wheel.

Advantages of French roulette

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  • The French roulette has the lower house edge among all other variants of the game.
  • Referred to as the most player-friendly variant
  • You can easily play French roulette online free
  • Racetrack bets expand the betting possibilities and add a special flair
  • En Prison/La Partage rules allow the players to keep half of their bet when the ball lands on zero on even-money wagers

Top 3 casinos for French roulette

All Slots Casino

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All Slots Casino offers French roulette, a game that gives a lower house edge than the European and American versions. When you make an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero, you can keep half of your bet as defined by the “La Partage” rule. The game is provided by Microgaming, one of the best game software developers out there.

Rolling Slots casino

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Apart from its multiple American and European roulette tables, a casino Rolling Slots offers a French roulette table too. The game is powered by NetEnt, one of the leading software providers in the industry. The table features signs in the French language, true to the origin of the game. Hot and cold numbers are displayed to help players make their betting decisions.

Casino-X

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Casino-x offers three great variations of French roulette. They have a classic NetEnt game, Roulette French Gold which is a type of auto-roulette, and the hugely popular Live Football French roulette from Playtech. Here, players can discuss the latest results and statistics with the croupier and fellow players and watch some football action streamed in HD while enjoying an exciting game of French roulette.

French roulette tips

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    Pick up the terminology

    Knowing the French wording will clear up any confusion you may have about the supported betting options. The bets work in the same familiar way, but it is important to know which French term goes with which bet.

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    Low-stakes play is okay

    Don’t feel less of a gambler if you are staking low amounts on the wheel. Most experienced bettors will tell you lower wagers are exactly the way to go.

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    Find a good balance between inside and outside betting zones

    Even though experts say it’s better to choose outside bets, you need to mix them up in the right frequency to achieve the best results.

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    En Prison rule rules

    The En Prison feature is an authentic French roulette option that benefits the player every time. Make sure the version you’ve chosen to play has it, or at least the La Partage.

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    Real money play is reserved for trusted casinos only

    Don’t put your bankroll and comfort by playing French roulette at an unauthorized casino site. Take the time to fact-check its legal credentials and banking stability.

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    Manage your funds

    Even though you’ve heard this tip a hundred times, once more surely won’t hurt. Good bankroll managing skills will take you a long way. Coupled with a solid strategy and you can expect the best results.

Conrad Brennan
Former Author
University of Toronto
BA of Business and Marketing
Expert in:
  • Games reviews
  • Slot reviews
Reviewed by Head of Content:
Dmitry Rogalchuk
Last updated on: 06.03.2024

FAQ

⭐ What are En Prison/La Partage rules in French roulette?

The two are slightly different versions of the same rule. According to them, the player loses only a half of the even-odds bet if the ball lands on a zero.

⭐ What is the payout percentage of French roulette?

French roulette online has a payout percentage of 98.5%. This means it has the lowest house margin of all roulette games on the market.

⭐ Are European and French Roulette the same?

Although they are very similar, no. They share the same wheel, but the French version includes En Prison/La Partage features and the racetrack betting area.

⭐ What are the best bets to make in French roulette online?

Having in mind the La Partage rule (or En Prison), the best bets are even money bets, aka outside bets.

⭐ Which is better, European or French online roulette?

Both games are more favourable than the American version. If you can choose between the two, choose French so that you can benefit from the En Prison/La Partage rules.

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