French Roulette is the favorite game of millions of gamblers around the world. It gained popularity thanks to its reduced house edge and some changes that made it extremely convenient for beginners. Unlike other game variations, French Roulette has a unique set of rules and a distinct table layout that adds charm. Let's look at this game's rules and details to determine the source of its worldwide success.
What Is French Roulette?
French Roulette is among the most popular variations due to its layout and special gambler-friendly rules. Developed in France, it has only one zero pocket, which leads to a lower house edge. The table is marked with French terms, and the betting options include several distinctive wagers like "La Partage" and "En Prison." The "La Partage" situation is when the ball falls on zero. In this case, players lose only half of their stake. In contrast, "En Prison" allows bets to be locked for another spin.
French Roulette Rules
As with classic Roulette, the French variation is based on betting on certain sectors. You can do this on a marked playing surface, predicting where a ball thrown onto the wheel might land. To do this, you have 37 pockets numbered from 0 to 36.
The alternate numbers are red and black, with the 0 being green. By the way, there are additional areas for various outside bets. Each bet has its percentage of winnings and returns. Here is your list of actions:
- Place bets on the table.
- Let the dealer spin the wheel.
- Wait until The ball lands somewhere.
- Get paid according to the betting odds.
- Repeat the procedure if needed.
As you can see, the rules are quite simple, even for beginners. Technically, French Roulette is very simple. All the difficulties begin when you start creating your strategy, combining bets, and changing the amounts for each pocket.
Simple Bets in French Roulette
It's time to talk about the simple bets. French Roulette has different types of bets, so you should benefit from them. They range from inside to outside ones, and each type has rules and payouts. Let's take a detailed look at all your options. All these bets can dramatically change the way you gamble!
Inside Bets
This game has several other important bet types. Think of them as an opportunity to concentrate on specific numbers or their combinations within the numbered grid on the table. One of the key advantages of such bets is the opportunity to get higher payouts, but the risks will also increase. Let's take a look at a table to visualize your options.
| Inside Bet | Description |
| Straight Up | Betting on a single number. Pays 35 to 1. |
| Split Bet | Betting on two adjacent numbers. Pays 17 to 1. |
| Street Bet | Betting on a row of three numbers. Pays 11 to 1. |
| Corner Bet | Betting on a block of four numbers. Pays 8 to 1. |
| Line Bet | Betting on two adjacent rows (six numbers). Pays 5 to 1. |
Outside Bets
Need more insights? Here you go! When playing French Roulette, you can make so-called outside bets. Why should you use them? In theory, they give better odds of winning but lower payouts. You can also cover larger sections, allowing you to modify your strategy.
| Outside Bet | Description |
| Red/Black | Betting on all red or all black numbers. Pays 1 to 1. |
| Odd/Even | Betting on all odd or all even numbers. Pays 1 to 1. |
| High/Low | Betting on numbers 1-18 (low) or 19-36 (high). Pays 1 to 1. |
| Column Bet | Betting on one of the three columns. Pays 2 to 1. |
| Dozen Bet | Betting on a group of 12 numbers. Pays 2 to 1. |
Second Chance
What if you could take advantage of a second chance and minimize your losses? Then, you should take a look at even-money bets. When the ball lands on 0, you can partially get your money back thanks to La Partage or let your bet stay "in prison" for the next spin. Here's how it works.
| Second Chance Bet | Description |
| La Partage | If the ball lands on 0, half of the even-money bet is returned to the player |
| En Prison | If the ball lands on 0, the even-money bet is held "in prison" for the next spin. |
More About Advanced Bets in French Roulette
Alternatively, you can skip the previous options and concentrate on more advanced bets. French Roulette allows players to make call bets such as Voisins du Zero or Tiers du Cylindre, which can become game changers. These sectors allow you to gain an additional advantage, although you should not abuse them. Do not forget that the probability of the ball hitting these zones is small. However, you can try your luck and practice these bets as part of your daily strategy.
What Makes French Roulette Different From American
Surely, you know how popular American Roulette is among millions of gamblers. Given this, it's important to understand the key differences between these two types of games. Here is a list of the rule changes.
- French has one zero; American has two.
- House Edge is Lower in French Roulette due to the single zero.
- La Partage/En Prison Rules allows you to benefit from even-money bets.
- The table layout has different designs and betting options.
Considering all the differences, French Roulette has better odds and additional rules that make the house edge less painful for gamblers. Mathematically, your chance of winning increases when you choose the French option.
Conclusion
Now you know about the key features of French Roulette, the basic rules, and the types of bets that increase your chance of success. At the same time, you should carefully formulate your strategy and rely on generally accepted rules. Gamble wisely, and don't let your emotions take over your mind. Like all other types of Roulette, the French variation is based on luck and only then on your skills or chosen strategy. May the luck be with you!