What is French Roulette?
French roulette is the original version of the game, developed in 18th-century France. It uses the same single-zero wheel as European roulette (37 pockets: 0-36) but includes two special rules that make it the most player-friendly roulette variant available: La Partage and En Prison.
| Roulette Variant | Pockets | House Edge (Standard) | House Edge (Even Bets) |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Roulette | 37 (0-36) | 2.70% | 1.35% ⭐ |
| European Roulette | 37 (0-36) | 2.70% | 2.70% |
| American Roulette | 38 (0,00,1-36) | 5.26% | 5.26% |
The Special Rules: La Partage and En Prison
These two rules are what make French roulette unique. They apply only to even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low).
📜 La Partage (The Share)
When the ball lands on zero, players who made even-money bets receive half of their stake back. For example, if you bet $10 on red and zero hits, you get $5 back instead of losing the full $10.
Impact: Reduces the house edge on even-money bets from 2.7% to 1.35%.
🔒 En Prison (In Prison)
When the ball lands on zero, even-money bets are "imprisoned" for the next spin. If the next spin wins, the original bet is returned (no profit, but no loss). If the next spin loses, the bet is lost.
Impact: Also reduces the house edge on even-money bets to 1.35%. Some casinos use La Partage, others use En Prison — both offer the same mathematical advantage to players.
French Roulette Table Layout & Terminology
The French roulette table uses French terminology. Here's what you need to know:
| French Term | English Translation | Bet Type |
|---|---|---|
| Rouge / Noir | Red / Black | Even-money bet on color |
| Pair / Impair | Even / Odd | Even-money bet on parity |
| Passe / Manque | High (19-36) / Low (1-18) | Even-money bet on number range |
| Douzaine | Dozen | Bet on 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36 |
| Colonne | Column | Bet on a vertical column |
| En Plein | Straight Up | Single number bet |
| À Cheval | Split | Bet on two adjacent numbers |
For a complete glossary of roulette terms, visit our Roulette Glossary.
Why French Roulette Has the Best Odds
The mathematics behind French roulette is simple but powerful:
Standard European Roulette (Even-Money Bets)
In European roulette, you have 18 winning numbers, 18 losing numbers, and 1 zero. Your chance of winning is 18/37 = 48.65%. The house edge is (1/37) × 100 = 2.7%.
French Roulette with La Partage
When zero hits, you get half your money back. This changes the expected value calculation. The house edge becomes (1/2 × 1/37) = 1.35% — half of European roulette's edge.
• American Roulette: $5.26
• European Roulette: $2.70
• French Roulette: $1.35
Over 1,000 spins at $10 per spin, French roulette saves you $135 compared to European and $391 compared to American roulette.
French Roulette Strategy
Here are expert strategies for playing French roulette:
- Focus on even-money bets: La Partage and En Prison only apply to red/black, odd/even, and high/low. These bets offer the lowest house edge at just 1.35%.
- Use progressive betting systems: Systems like Martingale or Fibonacci work well with even-money bets, especially with the reduced house edge.
- Avoid the five-number bet: This bet doesn't exist in French roulette — another advantage over American roulette.
- Practice for free first: Use our free roulette simulator to master French roulette rules before playing with real money.
Where to Play French Roulette in the US
French roulette is available at many US-friendly online casinos. Top choices include:
- BetOnline — Authentic French roulette with La Partage rule
- Bovada — French roulette tables with low house edge
- Wild Casino — European and French variants available
For a complete list of recommended casinos, visit our Best Roulette Casinos guide.
