French Roulette is the most player-friendly version of roulette. It uses the same single-zero wheel as European Roulette, but adds special rules for even-money bets that cut the house edge in half when the ball lands on zero. It also has its own table layout with French names for the bets, which gives it a classic casino feel. In this guide to French Roulette we explain the rules, La Partage and En Prison, the French call bets, and why it is often the best roulette choice for UK players.
French Roulette at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Wheel | 37 pockets: 1 to 36 and a single zero |
| House edge | 2.70%, or 1.35% on even-money bets with La Partage or En Prison |
| RTP | 97.30%, up to 98.65% on even-money bets |
| Special rules | La Partage and/or En Prison |
| Highest payout | 35:1 on a single number |
| Main providers | NetEnt, Evolution, Playtech and others |
French vs European Roulette
The wheel in French Roulette is the same as in European Roulette, with 37 pockets and one green zero. The payouts for all bets are also the same. The differences are:
- La Partage or En Prison: special rules that protect even-money bets when the ball lands on zero.
- Table layout: the betting table uses French names, such as Rouge and Noir for red and black, and Pair and Impair for even and odd.
- Call bets: French Roulette is known for its announced bets, which cover sections of the wheel.
La Partage
With La Partage, which means “the division”, you get half of your even-money bet back when the ball lands on zero. For example, if you bet £10 on red and the ball lands on zero, you lose only £5 instead of £10. This halves the house edge on even-money bets from 2.70% to 1.35%. La Partage applies to red/black, odd/even and 1–18/19–36.
En Prison
Some French Roulette tables use En Prison instead. When the ball lands on zero, your even-money bet is not lost but “imprisoned” for the next spin. If your bet wins on the next spin, you get your original stake back. If it loses, the stake is lost. The effect on the house edge is the same as La Partage: 1.35% on even-money bets. Online, La Partage is more common.
Bets and Payouts
| Bet | French name | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Single number | Plein | 35:1 |
| Two numbers | Cheval | 17:1 |
| Three numbers | Transversale pleine | 11:1 |
| Four numbers | Carré | 8:1 |
| Six numbers | Transversale simple | 5:1 |
| Dozen | Douzaine | 2:1 |
| Column | Colonne | 2:1 |
| Red/black, odd/even, high/low | Rouge/Noir, Pair/Impair, Manque/Passe | 1:1 |
French Call Bets
French Roulette is famous for its call bets, which cover groups of numbers that sit next to each other on the wheel:
- Voisins du Zéro: the 17 numbers around the zero.
- Tiers du Cylindre: the 12 numbers on the opposite side of the wheel.
- Orphelins: the 8 numbers not covered by the two bets above.
- Jeu Zéro: a smaller bet on the 7 numbers closest to the zero.
Online, these bets are placed on a racetrack next to the table. They do not change the house edge, but they let you bet on sections of the wheel rather than individual numbers.
RTP and House Edge
For most bets, French Roulette has an RTP of 97.30%, the same as European Roulette. For even-money bets with La Partage or En Prison, the RTP rises to 98.65%. That makes even-money bets in French Roulette one of the best-value bets in the casino, close to Baccarat and better than American Roulette by a wide margin.
Do Strategies Work?
Betting systems such as the Martingale cannot change the house edge. In French Roulette, the best you can do is choose bets with the lowest edge, which are the even-money bets with La Partage. Set a budget, and remember that every spin is independent. Read more in our guide to online roulette.
Live French Roulette
Many UK casinos offer live French Roulette, often streamed from real casinos or dedicated studios. Live tables add atmosphere and let you watch the real wheel. Compare live tables in our guide to live dealer games.
Playing French Roulette in the UK
At UK-licensed casinos, you must verify your age and identity before you can play. Roulette usually contributes little or nothing to bonus wagering, so check the terms before using a welcome bonus.
The French Origins of Roulette
Roulette was born in France in the 18th century, and the word itself means little wheel in French. In the 19th century, the brothers François and Louis Blanc introduced the single-zero wheel in Europe, which gave players better odds than the double-zero wheels used elsewhere. The casino of Monte Carlo made the single-zero game famous, and the French terms used at its tables are still found on French Roulette layouts today. When roulette later spread to the United States, a double zero was added, which is why American Roulette has a much higher house edge. French Roulette preserves the original European tradition, both in its rules and in its language.
French Roulette on Mobile
French Roulette works well on iPhone, Android phones and tablets. Most games offer a zoomed-in betting table and a separate racetrack for call bets, which makes it easy to place bets with a tap. Live French Roulette tables also stream smoothly on mobile, adapting to your connection.
Tips for Playing French Roulette
- Check for La Partage: not every table labelled “French” offers it.
- Favour even-money bets: they have the lowest house edge.
- Learn the call bets: they make it easy to bet on sections of the wheel.
- Set a budget: decide how much you want to spend before you start.
Where to Play French Roulette
French Roulette is available at many UK online casinos, both as an RNG game and in the live casino. Always choose a licensed site and read our guide to gambling with real money.
Play responsibly. Roulette is a game of chance and the house always has an edge. Set limits and never play with money you cannot afford to lose. For support, visit BeGambleAware.org. 18+ only.
Features
French Roulette FAQ
What is the difference between French and European Roulette?
Both use a single-zero wheel, but French Roulette adds La Partage or En Prison, which halves the house edge on even-money bets.
What is La Partage?
A rule that returns half of your even-money bet when the ball lands on zero.
What is the RTP of French Roulette?
97.30% for most bets and 98.65% for even-money bets with La Partage or En Prison.
What are French call bets?
Bets on sections of the wheel, such as Voisins du Zéro, Tiers du Cylindre and Orphelins.
Is French Roulette the best roulette version?
For even-money bets, yes. It offers the lowest house edge of the common roulette versions.
