The roots of roulette can be traced back to 1655 in French history. Blaize Pascal, a famous mathematician and philosopher from France, set out on a mission to create a machine that could achieve perpetual motion. While he didn’t succeed in his endeavor, his endeavors inadvertently led to the development of the first version of roulette.

The French version of roulette offers a much lower house edge of 1.35% in comparison to its American counterpart. This places it in the same league as games like video poker, blackjack, and baccarat, which are renowned for their favorable odds. However, it is important to highlight that these advantageous odds only apply to even-money bets such as red/black and odd/even. Despite the extensive discussion surrounding the superior odds of French roulette, this crucial aspect often goes unnoticed.

In the realm of online casinos in the US, French roulette has failed to garner the same level of popularity as its American and European counterparts. Nevertheless, NetEnt’s adaptation of French roulette using a random number generator (RNG) is steadily gaining traction among premier casino sites in New Jersey. However, it is worth noting that the absence of live dealer options for French roulette is quite conspicuous. Despite the fact that Evolution Gaming has developed a version of live French roulette, it has not yet been introduced to US-based casino sites.

This guide aims to offer a complete analysis of playing French Roulette online. It will cover the game’s regulations, winnings, and distinctive features.

How to play French roulette

All three main versions of roulette (American, European, and French) share a fundamental similarity: players place bets on where they think the ball will land when the wheel stops. One can either take a daring route by betting on a single number or adopt a more cautious approach by betting on a group of numbers. It is worth mentioning that the latter option provides a lower payout. It is essential to bear in mind that the game’s outcome is solely determined by chance and cannot be influenced by the players in any way.

French roulette is played on a European wheel, which has 37 slots and a single zero, while the American version has an extra slot with a double zero. This small difference is significant as it improves the odds of winning a single number bet from 1 in 38 (as in American Roulette) to 1 in 37. By reducing the number of slots by just one, the house edge is reduced to a favorable 2.7%.

Nevertheless, the real charm of French roulette resides in a pair of regulations that can occasionally be encountered in its European counterpart as well:

• The rule known as La Partage, meaning “the divide,” guarantees that you won’t lose everything if the ball lands on zero during an even-money bet. In this case, you will receive half of your original bet as a refund. As a result, this rule significantly reduces the house edge to a mere 1.35%.
• En Prison is a modified version of La Partage that presents a distinct chance for your wager. In the event that the ball lands on zero, your even-money bet is “imprisoned” and its fate is decided by the subsequent spin. Should you emerge victorious on the second spin, you will recover your entire bet. To illustrate, imagine you placed a $50 bet on red and a red number is spun after the zero, you will receive your $50 back. However, if the ball lands on black, you will lose your bet. This rule effectively diminishes the house edge to a mere 1.37%.

Please note that these rules apply only to even-money bets and are designed to benefit players who prefer safer wagers. It is also important to understand that these rules do not overlap with each other. The paytable will clearly indicate which rule is being used.

The betting area layout in French roulette offers a more nuanced variation. Unlike American roulette, where outside bets are concentrated on one side, French roulette evenly distributes them on both sides. Moreover, a touch of international sophistication is introduced by presenting the bet names in both French and English languages.

French roulette strategy

By introducing a unique category of bets that are only available on the European wheel (including European and French roulette), the comparison between French and American roulette becomes even more interesting. These bets, referred to as called or announced bets, require players to verbally announce their bets to the dealer during a live game. However, in RNG versions of the game, a simple click is all that’s needed.

Here is a brief overview of these distinctive wagers:

• The range of numbers on the roulette wheel known as “neighbors of zero” is from 22 to 25, and there are a total of 17 numbers in this group.
• Called “Le Tiers du Cylindre,” this bet refers to the numbers 27 to 33, situated on the roulette wheel opposite to zero, and translates to “thirds of the wheel.”
• Orphelins, also known as “orphans,” consist of eight numbers that are not included in the two previously mentioned bets.
• Finales: A bet on any number that ends with a particular digit (e.g. 2, 12, 22, 32).
• Zero Game, also known as Jeu Zero, consists of six numbers that surround zero.

Among all the options available, the Voisins du Zero bet is particularly notable for its high probability of winning. Now, let’s compare the win rates for the main announced bets.

• Voisins du Zero: 45.9%
• Tiers du Cylindre: 32.4%
• Orphelins: 24.3%

Even when playing with called bets, the house edge remains at 2.7%, which is equivalent to the standard house edge when En Prison or La Partage rules are not applied. To optimize the potential house edge for these bets, players should take note of the specific chip counts required. For instance, a Voisins du Zero bet requires nine chips, while Orphelins necessitates five chips.

Where can I play French roulette online?

Even though French roulette may not be as widely favored as other variants in US online casinos, it is not entirely unfamiliar. NetEnt offers a Random Number Generator (RNG) based version of this game, which can be accessed on various leading New Jersey casino sites including Golden Nugget, FanDuel, and BetRivers. Nevertheless, the live dealer feature for French roulette is presently not available among their offerings.

If you’re unsure about fully committing, you have the option to test the game in demo mode to familiarize yourself with it. This enables you to grasp the game’s dynamics without risking any money. Nevertheless, if you desire a chance at actual winnings, you can utilize a no deposit bonus such as the one provided by BetMGM to play French roulette without any risk involved. It’s essential to keep in mind that roulette and other table games usually contribute less towards meeting the wagering requirements, so it might take some time to release those bonus funds.

NetEnt’s French Roulette caters to players with different budgets, providing a wide range of betting options starting from $0.10 up to $5,000. This ensures that the game is suitable for both those with limited budgets and high rollers.

Both hot and cold numbers are conveniently displayed on the stats bar in the user interface. Positioned in the top-left corner of the screen, a button is available for quick access to the even-money bet statistics, proving to be quite handy. Furthermore, right next to it, another button effortlessly reveals a racetrack layout, allowing for easy placement of special bets with just a single click.

French roulette final thoughts

French roulette is a game that is purely based on luck, meaning that it is impossible to manipulate the potential winnings using strategies or betting tactics. To improve your experience while playing, it is recommended to choose a variation of the game with the smallest advantage for the house, and French roulette proudly holds that title. It is crucial to understand the different types of bets and their corresponding payouts, as the odds can vary significantly.

The majority of the top-rated casino apps in regulated markets such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia prominently showcase NetEnt’s version of French roulette. Whether you choose to play on your desktop at home or while on the move, this game offers convenient accessibility.

French roulette FAQ