How to Play French Roulette

Key Takeaways:

1. French Roulette is a unique variant of roulette with a lower house advantage, thanks to its single zero wheel design versus the American version's double zero. It also introduces special bets, such as the "Neighbour Bets."
   
   
2. Players predict where a ball will land on the roulette wheel after it's spun. Choices range from straight-up bets (a single number) to split bets (two numbers) to even-money bets (Red/Black or Even/Odd).
   
   
3. This Roulette variant includes the La Partage and En Prison rules, which can significantly cut the house advantage in half if the ball lands on zero. It also features Call Bets, which are bets on specific sections of the wheel.
   
   
4. French Roulette offers numerous betting options, including Inside Bets (specific numbers), Outside Bets (larger groups of numbers), and Advanced Bets like "Neighbours of 0", "Neighbours of a Number", "Third of the Cylinder", "Orphans", "Game 0", and "Finals".
   
   
5. Lower house edge and the impact of specific French Roulette rules (La Partage and En Prison) make this variant favourable for strategic players.
   
   
6. Players are advised to focus on even money bets, understand the table rules, and set betting limits. Also, the Martingale Strategy, D'Alembert Strategy, and Fibonacci Strategy are common tactics adopted by players.

Have you ever heard of French Roulette? - the "little wheel" game known for its heart-racing suspense. This isn't your regular American Roulette; it's a unique variant with key differences that enrich your casino experience.

What sets French Roulette apart? It's all about the lower house edge, thanks to the single zero wheel design versus the American version's double zero. This difference means more of your hard-earned cash stays with you.

Plus, French Roulette spices things up with special bets like the "Neighbour Bets", which can add an extra layer of excitement to your betting game. Intriguing, isn't it? In this article, we explore the nitty-gritty of this exceptional game, reveal some winning strategies, and discuss why French Roulette might just be your next favourite casino game.

Alright, you're ready to dip your toes into the lavish world of French Roulette. But before you get started, there's some groundwork we need to cover. What's the main objective, you ask? What unique features does French Roulette boast of?

In the simplest terms, the aim of the game in French Roulette is to correctly predict where that tiny ball will land on the roulette wheel after it's spun. Sounds easy, right? But it's not just a guessing game! You'll need a dash of strategy and a sprinkle of luck. More on that later, so stick around!

You have a variety of betting options to choose from. Maybe you fancy a straight-up bet (betting on a single number) or perhaps a split bet (betting on two numbers). You can also choose to play it safe with even-money bets like Red/Black or Even/Odd. The choice is yours!

What's the fun part? The more numbers you bet on, the higher your chances of winning. But remember, a higher chance of winning means lower payouts. It's a balancing act, but don't worry, we're here to guide you through it.

To learn more about the roulette wheel, check out our in-depth article here: Roulette Wheel Numbers, Sequence and Table Layouts Explained.

French Roulette is loaded with features that make it a unique experience for players. Let's have a look:

1. Single Zero Roulette Wheel: Unlike American Roulette that features double zero, the French version uses a single zero roulette wheel. This slight variation significantly decreases the house edge, giving you a better chance of making a profit.
   
   
2. Table Layout: At first glance, you might find the French Roulette table layout a bit daunting with its jargon-filled betting field. But trust us, once you get the hang of it, you'll see it's as easy as un, deux, trois!
   
   
3. La Partage Rule: This is a unique feature in French Roulette, which can be a game-changer. If you've made an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero, you'll only lose half of your stake. The house advantage? Slashed in half! How awesome is that?
   
   
4. En Prison Rule: If the ball lands on zero, your bet is 'imprisoned' for the next spin. If it's a winning bet the next time, you get your original stake back. Yes, you heard it right. French Roulette gives you a second chance!
   
   
5. Call Bets: Remember the Neighbour Bets we talked about earlier? They are a type of Call Bet, which are bets on specific sections of the wheel. A little complex, but absolutely thrilling if you want to add some spice to your game!

Don't let the French words intimidate you. We're going to break down the La Partage and En Prison rules for you in plain English.

Let's start with the La Partage rule. The name translates to 'the sharing' in English, and that's exactly what it is. It's about sharing or, more accurately, splitting your losses with the house.

Here's how it works: If you've made an even-money bet (like Red/Black or Even/Odd) and the ball lands on zero, you'll only lose half of your stake instead of the whole amount. Basically, you share your loss with the casino.

What's so special about this, you ask? This rule significantly reduces the house edge, giving you an upper hand! After all, in the world of gambling, every little edge counts. Remember, this rule only applies to even-money bets, so keep that in mind when placing your chips on the betting field.

Next up is the En Prison rule. Don't let the name scare you; it's not as dire as it sounds! En Prison literally translates to 'in prison', but in the context of French Roulette, think of it as a 'second chance'.

Let's say you've made an even-money bet and the ball inconveniently lands on zero. Instead of immediately losing your bet, it becomes 'imprisoned' for the next round. Now, if your bet wins on the next spin, you get your original stake back. Lose, and you forfeit your bet to the house.

The catch here is that the En Prison rule gives you a chance to recover your bet, drastically decreasing the house advantage. Not all online casinos offer this rule, but when they do, it's definitely worth taking advantage of.

These specific rules might sound like minor differences, but trust us, they can make a world of difference to your game strategy.

Just like every other variant of the game, French Roulette is filled with a plethora of betting options. From inside bets to outside bets to some unique bets, French Roulette offers a wide range of exciting betting options to choose from. Don't worry if you're feeling overwhelmed; we're here to break it down for you!

Inside bets are bets you place on specific numbers in the roulette wheel. They're called 'inside' bets because they're made in the numbered grid of the roulette table layout. Let's dive deeper into some of the most common ones.

Also known as a Straight-Up Bet, this is where you bet on a single number. It's a bit of a long shot but can fetch you a whopping 35:1 payout if you win.

Want to bet on two adjacent numbers on the table? That's a Split Bet. If either of those numbers comes up, you win, with a payout of 17:1.

A Street Bet covers three numbers in a row on the table. Just place your chip at the end of the row you want to bet on. If any of the three numbers come up, you win with a payout of 11:1.

Fancy betting on a group of four numbers? The Corner Bet is your bet. If any of the four numbers you've bet on come up, you win with a payout of 8:1.

Outside bets, in contrast, are bets placed outside the numbered grid on the French roulette table layout. These bets are less risky and cover larger groups of numbers.

The name says it all. You're betting on whether the winning number will be even or odd.

In a Dozens Bet, you bet on one of the three dozens on the table (1-12, 13-24, or 25-36). If the ball lands on a number within your chosen dozen, you win.

Simple yet exciting, the Red or Black Bet is where you bet on the colour of the number the ball will land on.

Just as it sounds, this is where you bet on whether the winning number will be low (1-18) or high (19-36).

This is a bet on one of the three vertical columns of 12 numbers on the table layout. If any number in your chosen column wins, you win.

Now, let's dive into the advanced bets in French Roulette that add a unique layer of strategy to your gameplay.

Aka the "Voisins du Zero", this bet covers the 17 numbers closest to 0 on the wheel.

Also known as a Neighbor Bet, you're betting on a specific number and the two numbers on each side of it on the wheel.

Also called "Tiers du Cylindre", this bet covers a series of 12 numbers on the opposite side of the wheel to 0.

Continuing with "Orphelins", which translates to "Orphans" in English, this is a bet that covers all the numbers not included in the "Voisins du Zéro" and "Tiers du Cylindre" bets. It includes eight numbers that are situated on two sections of the wheel, hence the name.

Also known as "Jeu Zéro" or "Zero Spiel", this is a smaller version of the Neighbours of Zero bet. It only covers seven numbers close to zero, as opposed to the seventeen numbers covered by the Neighbours of 0 bet.

A "Final Bet" or "Finales" in French is a bet on all the numbers that end in the same digit. For instance, a finals bet on 4 would cover all the numbers 4, 14, 24 and 34.

So, why exactly should you be playing French Roulette? Well, there are some key advantages to this variant of the game that set it apart from the others. Let's take a look.

First up, we need to talk about the house edge. You may be aware that all casino games have a certain house advantage, a statistical advantage that ensures the casino always has a slight upper hand. In French Roulette, the house edge is significantly lower than in other variations of the game.

For instance, American Roulette, with its additional double-zero pocket, has a house advantage of approximately 5.26%. Contrastingly, the house edge in French Roulette is as low as 1.35% on even-money bets, thanks to the unique 'La Partage' and 'En Prison' rules we've discussed. Lower house edge means you have a better chance of winning. It's as simple as that!

What about European Roulette? Well, let’s bring it into the picture. The European version also offers a lower house edge than American Roulette, clocking in at 2.7% due to the absence of the double-zero slot. However, the edge is still twice that of French Roulette, demonstrating the latter's superior player-friendly odds.

Recommended: Roulette Odds: What Are The Odds Of Winning At Roulette?

The second advantage is the impact of the specific French Roulette rules - La Partage and En Prison. As we mentioned above, these rules bring an exciting twist to the game and significantly improve your odds.

La Partage literally means "sharing", and in the context of French Roulette, it refers to the splitting of bets. If you make an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero, you'll only lose half of your bet.

On the other hand, En Prison is a rule that gives you a chance to recover your stakes. If you've made an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero, your bet is 'imprisoned' and carried over to the next round. If your bet wins on the next spin, you get your money back, although without any additional winnings.

Both these rules tip the scales slightly in favour of the player, making French Roulette an appealing choice, particularly for strategic and serious players.

We've discussed the rules, the types of bets, and the unique advantages of French Roulette. Now, let's dive into some strategies and tips that could help you get the upper hand.

One of the best tips for playing French Roulette is to focus on even money bets. Why, you ask? Simply because these bets are most likely to benefit from the La Partage and En Prison rules. This means that bets on Red/Black, Even/Odd, or High/Low can give you better odds. Plus, if the ball does end up in the zero pocket, you don't lose all your money – you only lose half of it or get another shot in the next round!

This may seem like an obvious one, but it's surprising how many players overlook it. Before you start playing, ensure you fully understand the French Roulette rules, especially the table rules and betting field. If you're playing online roulette or live roulette, don't hesitate to refer back to the game's rule section, or to our previous sections about the unique rules of French Roulette, to refresh your memory. Knowledge is power, especially in French Roulette!

Let's face it; it's easy to get carried away in the excitement of the game. This is where setting betting limits comes in handy. Before you start, set a budget for your gaming session and stick to it, no matter what. It's part of the thrill, of course, but it's also a surefire way to keep your gaming experience fun, safe, and, most importantly, responsible. After all, casino bonuses and the thrill of winning should never overshadow the importance of safe and responsible gaming!

Alright, let's take it up a notch. We’ve covered the tips and tricks, but what about actual strategies? In this section, we'll explore three popular strategies used by French Roulette players. While none of these can guarantee a win (remember, roulette is still largely a game of chance), they can give structure to your play and make it more interesting.

First up, we have the Martingale Strategy. This is a well-known roulette strategy that originated in 18th century France. The idea here is simple – after every loss, you double your bet, and after every win, you return to your original bet. The theory is that you will recoup all previous losses when you eventually win.

However, this strategy can lead to large losses if you hit a losing streak, so always stick to your pre-defined betting limits when using the Martingale strategy!

Next up, the D'Alembert Strategy. Named after its French creator Jean le Rond d'Alembert, this strategy works on the principle that wins and losses should eventually balance out.

You start by deciding on a base unit – let's say, one chip. If you win a bet, you decrease your next bet by one unit. If you lose a bet, you increase your next bet by one unit. The idea is to decrease the impact of losses by reducing the bet size after wins, and conversely, to try to capitalise on streaks by increasing the bet size after losses.

Keep in mind, though, that roulette doesn't have a memory, and each spin is independent of the last. So, while it's a less risky strategy than the Martingale, it still can't guarantee profits over the long term.

Finally, we have the Labouchere Strategy. Also known as the cancellation system, this strategy involves setting a goal of how much you want to win and then breaking that down into a series of smaller numbers.

You add the numbers at the ends of your list to determine your bet size. If you win, you cross the numbers off your list, and if you lose, you add your loss to the end of your list. This continues until you've crossed out all numbers, at which point you've reached your original goal.

This strategy requires a bit more planning and can be riskier than the D'Alembert strategy. Like always, the most important thing is to stick to your limits and play responsibly.

This concludes our comprehensive guide on how to play French Roulette. We've taken you through the rules, the unique features, the types of bets, and even some strategies.

We can't stress enough the importance of setting limits when playing French Roulette. This little wheel can be mesmerising, but let's not forget it's a game. We're here for the thrill, the suspense, and of course, the fun. So, always decide on a budget for your session. It could be an hourly or daily limit, or even a loss limit. Whatever you do, stick to it. This way, you ensure that your roulette gameplay doesn't turn into a nightmare.

Lastly, remember that at the end of the day, French Roulette is largely a game of luck. It doesn't matter how many strategies you know or how well you understand the rules. The little white ball doesn't have a memory, and where it lands is entirely random. You might have winning streaks, you might have losing streaks, but in the end, it's all down to the whims of Lady Luck. Keep this in mind and approach the game with the right expectations.

Care to take French Roulette for a spin? Try it out at our online casino.

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