French Roulette – Complete Guide to Rules, Odds & La Partage

Across U.S. regulated markets like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, and Delaware, players who value math-friendly rules gravitate to French tables for one reason: zero handling. The format keeps a single-zero wheel and adds two protective rules that soften volatility on even-money bets. Those adjustments are the engine behind the game’s reputation for smooth pacing and transparent returns, and they are why many seasoned players put it near the top of their short list of low-risk choices. 

In this guide you’ll find a clear breakdown of bets, payouts, and house edge, plus practical etiquette and bankroll tips. You’ll also see how La Partage and En Prison operate in live studios, how to compare zero table odds with double-zero tables in U.S. pits. Why state-licensed lobbies make it easy to verify certifications, limits, and responsible-gaming tools when you start a session of French roulette.

What is French Roulette?

French Roulette is a single-zero variant that overlays even-money wagers with zero-handling relief. The wheel has 37 pockets, numbered 0–36, which is friendlier to players than U.S. double-zero layouts. Most live-dealer studios in regulated states stream this format from modern stages that blend crisp video with racetrack controls and call-bet shortcuts. The headline differences revolve around how zero outcomes are treated, which reduces drag on long sessions and keeps your plan intact.

History and Popularity

The format evolved from 18th-century salons where early rulesets were refined into the modern single-zero standard. As the game spread across Europe, the combination of a clean layout and gentle zero handling built a loyal audience. When online live studios took off in the U.S., that appeal followed. Players who want calmer variance and clear documentation increasingly choose French roulette for extended sessions and structured play.

Differences Between French, European, and American Roulette

The French and European tables share the same 37-pocket layout, but French adds La Partage and sometimes En Prison on even-money bets. American tables use 0 and 00 (38 pockets), which increases long-run cost. If you’re learning placement and payouts, use an inside vs outside bet guide to connect each area of the felt to its odds and returns before you raise stakes. The core experience stays familiar, but the zero rules make French uniquely forgiving on even-money wagers.

Rules of French Roulette

The flow mirrors other single-zero tables: place chips, wait for “no more bets,” and settle wins after the ball drops. The layout supports precise number bets and broad outside bets. The racetrack adds wheel-mapped sectors and neighbors for fans of arc coverage. If you are new to state-licensed apps and want a structured start, search the in-game help for how to play French roulette, then watch a few spins before committing real money.

How to Place Bets

Placing chips is literal and intuitive online and on a live stream. Start by confirming table limits and the cut-off timer. Then select a chip denomination and click the grid for inside bets or the bands for outside coverage. Save favorite combinations once you’ve dialed in a routine to avoid rushed moves during fast rounds. This rhythm lets you focus on pacing, not hurried decisions.

Inside Bets Explained

• Straight Up (single number): pays 35:1; highest variance and biggest hit size.
• Split (two adjacent numbers): pays 17:1; lower variance than straight-up.
• Street (three in a row): pays 11:1; compact line coverage.
• Corner (four-number square): pays 8:1; efficient cluster coverage.
• Six Line (two adjacent rows, six numbers): pays 5:1; broad inside coverage.

Inside wagers target fewer pockets for larger payouts and swing more widely. They are best used as measured “shots” wrapped inside a steadier outside framework.

Outside Bets Explained

• Red/Black: pays 1:1; covers 18 numbers, excludes 0.
• Odd/Even: pays 1:1; covers 18 numbers, excludes 0.
• Low/High (1–18 / 19–36): pays 1:1; 18 numbers each.
• Dozens (1–12, 13–24, 25–36): pays 2:1; 12 numbers each.
• Columns: pays 2:1; 12 numbers each in vertical lanes.

These are the backbone of steady play. They hit often, pace the session, and leave bandwidth for occasional inside shots when you want a higher-risk moment.

Special Bets and Call Bets

The racetrack panel maps the French roulette table to the physical order of the wheel. Popular sets include Voisins du Zéro, Tiers du Cylindre, Orphelins, and neighbors (a number plus two on each side). Each bundle is a cluster of straights, splits, streets, and corners placed for you in a single click. Payouts resolve by the underlying bet type, not by the set name.

La Partage and En Prison Rules

These are the distinctive safeguards that define the format. Together they’re often summarized as La Partage and En Prison rules, and they apply only to even-money bets. Both minimize the sting of a zero outcome and keep your bankroll curve smoother across many spins, which is why this format is so popular for longer sessions.

How La Partage Reduces House Edge

With La Partage, if the ball lands on 0, the house returns half your stake on even-money bets immediately. That simple mechanism cuts the effective edge on those wagers from 2.70% to 1.35%. In practical terms, it’s one of the most compelling features among low house edge casino games, especially for players who prefer smooth pacing and long sessions.

En Prison Rule Explained

En Prison locks your even-money stake when 0 lands and carries it forward to the next spin. If the next result wins, your original bet is returned; if it loses, the stake is collected. It’s mathematically similar to La Partage over time and creates a feeling of “continuity” after a zero without the immediate half-return.

Payouts in French Roulette

Base payouts mirror European single-zero conventions. You’ll find the same 35:1 on straight-ups and 1:1 on even-money bets, with the notable zero-handling rules layered over even-money outcomes only. Consistency here lets you transfer knowledge from other single-zero tables seamlessly while enjoying a gentler even-money profile on French layouts like French roulette.

Inside Bet Payouts

• Straight Up: 35:1; probability 1/37.
• Split: 17:1; probability 2/37.
• Street: 11:1; probability 3/37.
• Corner: 8:1; probability 4/37.
• Six Line: 5:1; probability 6/37.

All values assume a 37-pocket wheel and remain constant across live and RNG tables that use authentic rulesets.

Outside Bet Payouts

• Red/Black, Odd/Even, Low/High: 1:1; each covers 18 numbers, excludes 0.
• Dozens and Columns: 2:1; covers 12 numbers each.

Even-money wagers are directly affected by La Partage and En Prison when 0 appears, but the posted payout remains 1:1 on wins. The rules only change what happens on the zero, not on standard wins.

Special Bets Payouts

Sector and neighbors bets are assemblies of the same inside bet types. Each component pays by its base rate. If a Tiers split hits, it pays 17:1; if a Voisins corner hits, it pays 8:1. This makes the racetrack a convenience tool rather than a separate payout ladder.

House Edge in French Roulette

French tables feature a single-zero layout, which is inherently more favorable than double-zero. The posted house edge across the game is 2.70%, aligning with European single-zero. When La Partage or En Prison applies to even-money bets, the effective edge on those specific wagers drops to 1.35%. That adjustment is central to bankroll comfort and is the primary reason this format is recommended for measured play.

How Single Zero and La Partage Reduce House Advantage

Reducing total pockets from 38 to 37 improves probability on every bet. Layering zero relief on top of that further improves even-money experiences. When you compare single zero table odds to double-zero, the difference is obvious in expected losses across many spins. The end result is a more sustainable pace for players who like long sessions.

Comparison With European and American Roulette

French and European share base math, but French adds zero relief on even-money wagers. American wheels include 00, pushing the edge to 5.26% across most bets. If you have a choice, single-zero with La Partage is the superior fit for extended sessions, while American wheels are best treated as a quick-change option for variety rather than a default.

Strategies for Playing French Roulette

No pattern or progression overturns house edge, but structure matters. Selecting friendly rules, choosing sensible stakes, and anchoring your rhythm to the pace of the table are the building blocks of player winning strategies. The following ideas focus on coverage, volatility, and budgeting without promising impossible certainty.

Best Bets for Beginners

If you want a calm introduction, stick to even-money coverage under La Partage and consider small dozens or columns as a side option. These are safe betting options for beginners because they hit often and keep swings manageable while you learn the layout and timing. Once you’re comfortable, sprinkle in small inside shots for excitement.

High-Risk, High-Reward Bets

Straight-ups and splits are the classic high-variance route French roulette wheel. They create droughts punctuated by satisfying wins. If you take this path, cap the share of your session budget allocated to “shots” and pair them with outside coverage to soften swings. Aim for deliberate, not reactive, selection.

Bankroll Management Tips

• Set a session buy-in you can afford and divide it into 50–100 base units.
• Pick tables where the minimum lets you play at least 50 spins at your base unit.
• Pre-commit to a stop-loss around 40% of your buy-in and respect it.
• Set a win goal of 20–40% and walk away when you hit it.
• Use a small side-pot for inside shots and keep it capped.

Variants and Table Options

In U.S.-licensed apps, you’ll typically encounter live-dealer French tables with La Partage, European tables without zero relief, and RNG single-zero wheels with helpful UI for learning. If you value certification and assistance, a reputable French roulette casino will publish testing stamps, clear help panels, and responsive support. These markers keep your focus on play, not troubleshooting.

VIP and Multi-Wheel French Roulette

VIP rooms often raise limits and slightly slow the pace to accommodate larger bets. Multi-wheel versions are rare for French rules but you may see speed tables that shorten betting windows. Both formats reward preparation—save favorites, confirm chip sizes, and plan your next bet during payouts to avoid rushed choices.

Online vs Land-Based Tables

If you prefer to play French roulette online, regulated apps offer live streams, racetrack controls, and saved bets that make complex setups easy. Retail floors deliver more social energy, but you’ll find higher minimums and slower rounds. Choose the environment that matches your bankroll, attention span, and comfort with pacing.