French Roulette

Enter the thrilling world of French Roulette with our free-to-play game. Experience the allure of this classic casino game, packed with unique features that bring a fresh spin to your gaming journey.

How to Play the Free French Roulette

Game Interface

This French online Roulette interface is designed with user-friendliness in mind. On your screen, you'll see the Roulette wheel and the betting table, or the "tableau." At the bottom of the screen, you'll find the control panel where you can choose your chip value, place bets, spin the wheel, and manage other game settings.

Below this panel, you'll see your balance, bet amount, and winnings displayed. The history panel, located at the top right, shows the outcomes of previous rounds, providing a helpful reference for pattern observation.

Placing Your Bets: Inside, Outside, and Call Bets

Before you spin the wheel, you need to place your bets. You can select a chip value from the control panel and then click on the corresponding area on the betting table to place your bet.

  • Inside Bets: These bets are placed directly on one or more numbers. You can bet on a single number or split your bet between several numbers by placing your chip on the line separating the numbers.
  • Outside Bets: These are bets placed on categories of numbers or colors rather than individual numbers. Options include red/black, even/odd, and high/low numbers. You'll also find dozen bets and column bets, which cover 12 numbers at a time.
  • Call Bets: Unique to French Roulette, call bets (also known as "announced bets") are placed on specific sections of the wheel. These include Voisins du Zero, Tiers du Cylindre, and Orphelins.

Initiate a Game Round

Once you've placed your bets, it's time to let the wheel spin. Simply click the button in the right side of the control panel. The ball will then be launched onto the spinning wheel.

As the wheel slows down, the anticipation builds. Where will the ball land? If it lands on a number or category you've bet on, congratulations! You've won. Your winnings will be automatically added to your balance, and you're ready to place bets for the next round.

So now that you know how to play, it's time to place your bets and let the wheel spin! If, however, you're interested in deepening your understanding of French Roulette, including its rules and unique features, we invite you to continue reading our comprehensive guide to the game.

Roulette Basics

Before diving into the specifics of French Roulette, it's crucial to understand the general rules of Roulette as they form the foundation upon all variants, including the French, are built.

Roulette is centered around a wheel divided into numbered pockets, from 0 to 36, with an additional '00' pocket in American roulette. These numbers are alternately colored in red and black, with the zero pockets colored green. The main feature of the game is the betting table, which mirrors the numbers on the wheel and provides various betting options.

In a standard game of Roulette, players place bets predicting where a ball, spun around the wheel, will land. Bets can range from a specific number to a broader category like red/black, even/odd, or high/low numbers. Each bet has different winning odds and payout rate - betting on an exact number offers the lowest winning odds and highest payout, while broader bets offer smaller payouts but have higher chances of winning. The rules can slightly vary depending on the game variant, introducing unique strategic elements to each version of the game.

Read more about the rules of roulette here

To learn roulette jargon go to our roulette terminology page

The Unique Aspects of French Roulette

Now that we have a basic understanding of Roulette, let's delve into the unique aspects of its french variant.

The French Roulette Table: Layout and Features

The French table, or "tableau" as it's referred to in French, features a unique layout that might be unfamiliar to players used to American or European Roulette. The numbers from 0 to 36 are arranged in a grid format on the main betting area, much like other Roulette variants. However, what sets the French layout apart is the position of the outside bets.

In the French table, outside bets such as Red/Black, Even/Odd, and High/Low are placed on both sides of the table, straddling the grid of numbers. Additionally, the French variant uses French language for its betting options. For instance, 'Manque' for numbers 1-18 (low) and 'Passe' for numbers 19-36 (high), 'Pair' (even) and 'Impair' (odd), 'Rouge' (red) and 'Noir' (black).

Another unique feature of the French variant is the "racetrack," which allows players to place bets on groups of numbers as they appear on the wheel, not the grid. This includes the Voisins du Zero (neighbors of zero), Tiers du Cylindre (thirds of the wheel), and Orphelins (orphans).

Understanding the French Roulette Wheel

The French wheel, like the European wheel, features 37 pockets with numbers from 0 to 36. The single zero is colored green, while the other numbers are alternately colored red and black. The numbers are not arranged in numerical order but are placed so as to ensure a balanced distribution of odd and even, high and low, and red and black numbers across the wheel.

How French Roulette Differs from Other Variants

French Roulette stands out from the American and European games mainly due to its unique table layout and special rules.

Unlike American Roulette, which has both a single and double zero, the French variant has only a single zero. This significantly reduces the house edge from 5.26% in American Roulette to 2.7% in the French. This factor alone makes the French variant a more favorable choice for players.

Furthermore, the French rules of 'La Partage' and 'En Prison' bring a significant advantage to the player. 'La Partage' allows players to retrieve half of their bet if they placed an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero, while 'En Prison' gives players a chance to recover their stake if they placed an even-money bet and the ball landed on zero.

These special features enhance the gaming experience by adding strategic depth and reducing the overall house edge. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned player, the allure of the French variant lies in these intricate details that make every spin of the wheel a thrilling experience. Let's explore each of these rules in detail.

The En Prison Rule: A Second Chance

The En Prison rule offers players a second chance. This rule comes into effect when you place an even money bet (red/black, even/odd, or high/low), and the ball lands on zero.

Instead of losing your entire bet, the En Prison rule allows your bet to be "imprisoned" for the next round. If your bet wins on the next spin, you get your original stake back without any additional winnings. If it loses, then the house takes the full bet. This rule effectively cuts the house edge on even money bets in half, making them particularly appealing to players.

La Partage: The Split of Fortune

Similar to the En Prison rule, La Partage also comes into play when the ball lands on zero in an even money bet. However, in this case, instead of your bet being "imprisoned," it's immediately "split" or "shared." You lose half of your bet, and the other half is returned to you. Like the En Prison rule, La Partage also serves to reduce the house edge, making the game more player-friendly.

Understanding Which Rule Applies to a Game

The choice to offer either rule is at the discretion of the casino, and both rules are not usually in play at the same time. Some casinos may use the La Partage rule, some may use the En Prison rule, some may offer both and allow the player to choose, and some may not use either.

Before you start playing, it is advisable to identify which rule—La Partage or En Prison—applies to the game of your choice as it can significantly impact the house edge and your potential winnings.

When playing French roulette online, this information can usually be found within the game's rules or information section. Look for a button or link often labelled as "Help", "Rules", "i" (for information), or a similar label. Clicking on it should provide you with the specific rules and details for that particular game, including whether it uses La Partage, En Prison, or neither.

If you can't find this information, you could also try contacting the online casino's customer service for clarification. Remember, understanding the rules of the game is a key step to developing a solid roulette strategy and enhancing your overall gaming experience.

Making the Transition: From Free Play to Real Money

After you've sufficiently honed your skills through practice and feel confident in your skills, you might consider transitioning from free play to real money roulette. This move will introduce the thrill of real winnings (and losses), offering an enhanced gaming experience. In this section, we'll explore how to make this transition smoothly, while also emphasizing the importance of responsible gaming.

How to Seamlessly Switch to Real Money Play

The transition from free play to real money games is a significant step. It's essential to do it at a pace that suits you, and only when you feel comfortable. Here's how you can make the transition more seamless:

  • Choose a Reputable Online Casino: The first step is to select a reputable online casino that offers French Roulette. Make sure that it is licensed and regulated by a recognized and official gambling authority in its jurisdiction. and offers secure payment options. Positive reviews from other players can also indicate a trustworthy platform.
  • Create an Account and Deposit Funds: Online casinos require you to create an account to play for real money. You'll need to provide some personal details, an identification document and choose a secure password. Once your account is set up, you can deposit funds into your casino account through various secure payment methods. Common payment methods include credit cards, e-wallets such as Paypal and Neteller, and even cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
  • Find the French Roulette Game: Navigate to the casino's roulette section and select the French variant.
  • Start Slowly: When you start playing for real money, it might be tempting to place large bets right away. However, it's wise to start slowly. Start with small bets until you become comfortable with the pace and dynamics of real money play.
  • Use Your Learned Strategies: Remember all the strategies you experimented with during free play? Now is the time to apply them. But always be mindful that real money is at stake.

As exciting as it can be to play for real money, it's crucial to keep responsible gaming in mind.

Explore our online casinos page for exciting and reliable online casinos offering French Roulette

Know Maximum and Minimum Bets

Each Roulette table has specific minimum and maximum bet limits. These limits apply to both inside and outside bets and can vary depending on the online casino you're playing at. The minimum bet is the smallest amount you can wager on a single round, while the maximum bet is the largest.

Understanding these betting limits is crucial for managing your bankroll effectively. Whether you're a high roller looking to place large bets or a casual player keeping to a strict budget, being aware of the table limits will help guide your betting strategy and optimize your gameplay experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is French Roulette different from American and European Roulette?

French Roulette differs primarily in its table layout and the inclusion of two unique rules - 'En Prison' and 'La Partage'. Additionally, it has a single zero, like European Roulette, but unlike American Roulette, which has both a single and a double zero.

What are 'En Prison' and 'La Partage' rules?

'En Prison' and 'La Partage' are rules that apply in even money bets when the ball lands on zero. 'La Partage' allows players to get back half of their bet. 'En Prison' gives players a chance to recover their full bet on the next spin.

Can I play French Roulette online for free?

Yes, you certainly can! In fact, right here on this page, you can dive into the excitement of the game without any cost.

What are some common strategies for playing French Roulette?

There are many strategies for playing the game, including the Martingale system, the Fibonacci system, and the D'Alembert system, among others. However, none of these can guarantee a win, as roulette is a game of chance.

What are the betting options in French Roulette?

The game offers a variety of betting options, including inside bets (single number, split, street, etc.), outside bets (red/black, even/odd, high/low, etc.), and call bets (Voisins du Zero, Tiers du Cylindre, Orphelins, etc.).

How can I transition from free play to real money games?

The transition involves selecting a reputable online casino, creating an account, depositing funds, and starting to play with real money. It's essential to play responsibly when betting real money.

What is the house edge in French Roulette?

The house edge is 2.7%. However, when the 'La Partage' and 'En Prison' rules are available, the house edge for even-money bets can be reduced to as low as 1.35%.

What is the maximum and minimum bet?

The minimum and maximum bets vary depending on the online casino or gaming site. Always check the betting limits before starting to play.