Velvet pace, clear rules, and the fairest math in mainstream roulette make this variant a smart pick. With a single zero and protective rules on even-money wagers, it trims volatility without killing excitement. Below you’ll find exactly how to play French version of roulette, what each rule means, the bet names you’ll see on a French-style table, and where you can responsibly play French roulette online with live dealers or RNG wheels.
French Roulette is the single-zero roulette variant that pairs a 37-pocket wheel with player-friendly procedures on even-money bets. It mirrors European roulette for payouts and number set, but introduces La Partage (half your even-money stake returned on zero) and, at many tables, En Prison (the stake stays for one resolving spin). The betting grid uses French terms—Plein, Cheval, Transversale—and a racetrack for section wagers like Voisins, Tiers, and Orphelins. Practically, that means a 2.70% French roulette house edge on most bets and just 1.35% on even-money when the protective rules apply.
Born in 18th-century France, the game settled on a single zero to curb the house take and encourage higher-stakes play. Gameplay is simple: place chips, the croupier spins, the ball settles, and payouts follow the posted odds. Even-money wagers gain special handling on zero via La Partage or En Prison, depending on house rules. A typical round flows as follows:
The wheel has 37 pockets (0–36) with numbers arranged to balance low/high and red/black dispersion. A French roulette wheel preserves the European order but pairs it with French announcements and call-bet arcs. Most layouts use a traditional layout for the main grid plus a racetrack for neighbor and section bets. Expect a French-styled table felt with lanes for inside bets and arcs for Voisins, Tiers, and Orphelins.
Core rules mirror European single-zero: standard payouts, same number set, and the same chip handling. What changes is treatment of zero on even-money bets, which is the engine of the lower house edge. Learn house procedure before wagering; rules are posted near the wheel or in the help screen online. If you’re new, start by reading a short guide on how to play French roulette and practice with low-limit RNG first.
Under the la partage rule, when an even-money bet hits zero, half your stake is returned and half is lost. This effectively halves the 2.70% disadvantage on these wagers to 1.35%. It applies only to even-money bets such as Rouge/Noir, Pair/Impair, and Manque/Passe. Confirm in advance; some tables display “La Partage” on the felt or in the rule card.
With the en prison option, an even-money stake is “jailed” when zero hits instead of being halved. Your chip remains for one more spin; if it wins, the stake is released with no profit, and if it loses, it’s forfeited. Push treatment on a second zero varies by casino, so check the plaque. This rule keeps variance low and bankrolls steadier over long sessions.
Even-money bets benefit most from these rules, producing the best widely available odds. Here is a compact comparison:
|
Version |
Pockets |
Zeros |
House Edge (even-money) |
House Edge (other bets) |
|
American |
38 |
0 & 00 |
5.26% |
5.26% |
|
European |
37 |
0 |
2.70% |
2.70% |
|
French (La Partage/En Prison) |
37 |
0 |
1.35% |
2.70% |
Bets divide into inside (on numbers) and outside (on categories such as color or parity). Inside bets carry higher payouts and variance; outside bets offer steadier returns. Section and call bets use the racetrack to mirror wheel proximity. In French roulette, learning both grid and racetrack boosts precision.
Plein is a straight-up bet on one number; Cheval covers two adjacent numbers; Transversale covers a row of three. These bets suit players seeking higher variance and larger payouts. Chip placement must precisely touch the line junction for splits and the row edge for streets. Practice exact placement before the spin to avoid misreads.
|
Inside Bet |
Coverage |
Payout |
|
Plein |
1 number |
35:1 |
|
Cheval |
2 adjacent numbers |
17:1 |
|
Transversale |
3-number row |
11:1 |
Manque covers 1–18 and Passe covers 19–36; Rouge/Noir picks color, all paying 1:1. These bets are where La Partage or En Prison apply on zero, dramatically improving long-run value. They’re ideal for session-length play and bankroll control. Check the even-money boxes on the French roulette table and confirm zero handling with the croupier.
Call bets are announced wagers that track contiguous wheel segments. The racetrack mirrors pocket order so you can cover sections efficiently. Standard section groupings are:
|
Call Bet |
Numbers Covered |
|
Voisins du Zéro |
22,18,29,7,28,12,35,3,26,0,32,15,19,4,21,2,25 |
|
Tiers du Cylindre |
27,13,36,11,30,8,23,10,5,24,16,33 |
|
Orphelins |
17,34,6,1,20,14,31,9 |
This variant offers a single zero, protective rules, and clear procedure, making it appealing to value-minded players. It tempers swings while keeping enough high-payout options for excitement. Table limits typically match European wheels, so bankroll planning is straightforward. Across mainstream casino floors, French roulette is the closest thing to a “fair deal” you’ll find. Explore the best slot online games available at Lucky Tiger Casino and enjoy high-quality gameplay.
With La Partage or En Prison on even-money bets, expected loss per unit drops to 1.35%. Over hundreds of spins, that difference compounds into meaningful savings. The rule also narrows variance, keeping session lifespans long. Combine disciplined staking with even-money focus to realize the math.
Announced bets reduce misclicks online and speed placement at busy tables. Neighbor bets (e.g., 5/8/12 patterning) help cover clusters efficiently. Skilled players pre-plan sections, then fine-tune with singles for hot/cold number coverage.
French procedures intentionally slow the pace, giving time for thoughtful staking. Fewer spins per hour can mean lower hourly risk for the same bet size. En Prison pauses chips for a resolving spin, adding structure to bankroll rhythm. The measured cadence rewards planning over impulses.
Most regulated platforms with live studios host at least one single-zero table with French procedures. Look for clear rule cards stating La Partage or En Prison and the studio provider. Test in demo or low-limit RNG first to confirm payouts and latency. Many lobbies let you try French roulette or switch to a French roulette casino live stream in one click.
Choose licensed operators under reputable regulators (e.g., UKGC, MGA, New Jersey DGE). Verify rule presence, table limits, and streaming stability before committing. Prefer platforms with racetrack UI and quick chip presets. Responsible play tools—loss limits, cool-offs, reality checks—are non-negotiable.
Live tables stream a French roulette real wheel with a human croupier and support call bets on the racetrack. RNG versions simulate physics, run faster, and are ideal for practicing rules and placements. Both should publish RTP and disclose zero handling. Compare quickly below:
|
Mode |
Wheel |
Pace |
Best Use |
|
Live |
Physical single zero |
Slower |
Authentic feel, call bets practice |
|
RNG |
Simulated single zero |
Faster |
Low-limit drills, rules familiarization |
Start with even-money bets while learning racetrack geometry. Read the rule plaque before your first wager to confirm zero treatment. Keep a session budget and use consistent unit sizing. Record a few spins to spot preferred sections before committing larger inside bets.
Prioritize even-money wagers at tables offering La Partage. The automatic half-return on zero cushions drawdowns. Over time it outperforms identical play without the rule. If both rules are offered, pick the one you understand and track consistently.
Rouge/Noir, Pair/Impair, and Manque/Passe maximize the benefit of single zero plus protective rules. Use them as your base while sprinkling small inside shots. This mix balances session length and excitement. Raise only after documented, disciplined results. Before you play, make sure to read the terms on the bonus page so you know the wagering requirements.
Knowing terms speeds placement and avoids errors. Key French roulette words to memorize:
.png)
