The origin of roulette is a tale that has roots in French history. Back in 1655, a French mathematician and philosopher, Blaize Pascal, set out to create a perpetual motion machine. He never did make it, but instead, he inadvertently laid the groundwork for the first roulette prototype.

The house edge in French roulette is merely 1.35%, a fraction of what you’ll find in the American version. This puts it in the same league with low-house edge games like video poker, blackjack, and baccarat. But here’s the kicker that often flies under the radar: these enticing odds are specific to even-money bets ? red/black, odd/even. There is a lot of talk about French Roulette having the best odds, but this important point often slips through the cracks.

French roulette hasn’t quite caught on at US online casinos like its American and European counterparts. Currently, the RNG adaptation by NetEnt has been making the rounds, with several top-tier casino sites in NJ featuring it on their roster. Meanwhile, live dealer French roulette options are notably absent. Evolution Gaming offers a version of live French roulette, but it hasn?t yet found its way to US casino sites.?

This guide will break down how to play French Roulette online, touching on the rules, payouts, and its distinctive features.?

How to play French roulette

Fundamentally, the Big 3 roulette versions (American, European, and French) all share a common thread ? players put money on where they think the ball will land once the wheel stops spinning. You can either be bold and bet on a single number or play it safe and bet on a group of numbers. The safer bet, however, yields a smaller payout.? Remember, the outcome is solely based on chance, and no player input can influence it.

French roulette, though, takes a slight detour from its counterparts. It?s played on a European wheel which, unlike the American version, has a single zero and a total of 37 slots. This seemingly small adjustment ups your odds of landing a single number bet from one in 38 (as in American Roulette) to one in 37. The mere reduction of one slot on the wheel whittles the house edge down to an attractive 2.7%.

Yet the real charm of French roulette comes from two rules that can sometimes appear in its European counterpart as well:

• La Partage: The term translates to ?the divide.? With this rule in play, you’re not left empty-handed if the ball lands on zero during an even-money bet, but you get half of your stake back. It further reduces the house edge to just 1.35%.
• En Prison: A twist on La Partage; this rule gives your bet a second chance. If the zero drops in, your even-money bet is put ?in prison,? and the fate of your wager is decided by the next spin. If you win during the second go, you reclaim your entire bet. For instance, if you bet $50 on red, and a zero is followed by a red number, you get your $50 back. However, if the ball lands on black, you lose your bet. This rule trims the house edge to a slim 1.37%.

Remember, these rules only apply to even-money bets and serve as a boon for players who lean toward less risky wagers. It’s also important to note that these rules do not overlap ? the paytable will i
ndicate which one is in play.

A subtler difference in French roulette is the layout of the betting area. Unlike American roulette, where outside bets are clustered on one side, French roulette spreads them out on both sides. Plus, a touch of international flair comes through with the names of the bets presented in both French and English.

French roulette strategy

To add another layer to the comparison between French and American roulette, let’s introduce a unique type of wager available only on the European wheel (which includes European and French roulette). Known as called or announced bets, these wagers require the player to declare them to the dealer during a live game verbally. However, in RNG versions of the game, a simple click is enough.

Here’s a rundown of these special wagers:

• Voisins du Zero: Sometimes referred to as ?neighbors of zero,? this bet encompasses all numbers on the wheel between 22 and 25, totaling 17.
• Le Tiers du Cylindre: Translating as ?thirds of the wheel,? this bet includes the numbers situated opposite zero on the wheel, from 27 to 33.
• Orphelins: Also known as ?orphans,? this wager involves eight numbers that aren’t included in the two bets mentioned above.
• Finales: A bet on all numbers ending with a particular digit (for example, 2, 12, 22, 32).
• Jeu Zero (Zero Game): Covers six numbers adjacent to zero.

Among these, the Voisins du Zero bet boasts the highest probability of success. Here’s how the win rates stack up for the major announced bets:

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

Called bets still operate with a house edge of 2.7%, aligning with the standard house edge when neither the En Prison nor La Partage rules are in play. To extract the best possible house edge for these bets, players should note that different chip counts are required. For instance, a Voisins du Zero bet requires nine chips, while Orphelins calls for five.

Where can I play French roulette online?

While French roulette doesn’t quite have the same mainstream status in US online casinos, it’s not entirely off the grid. Several premier New Jersey casino sites like Golden Nugget, FanDuel, and BetRivers feature NetEnt’s RNG-powered version of the game. Unfortunately, live dealer French roulette is currently missing from the lineup.

For players wanting to dip their toes before diving in, the game is available in demo mode. This feature lets you familiarize yourself with the game dynamics without risking your money. With a no deposit bonus like the one at BetMGM, you can explore French roulette risk-free, and unlike with demo mode, you even have a shot at real winnings. Keep in mind, though, roulette and other table games usually contribute less toward meeting the wagering requirements, so clearing those bonus funds might take some time.

NetEnt’s French Roulette caters to a wide range of budgets, with a betting range of $0.10 to $5,000, making it suitable for both budget players and high rollers.

The user interface has a handy stats bar that displays hot and cold numbers. There’s also a nifty feature for even-money bet statistics, accessible via a button in the top-left corner of the screen. Right next to it, another button opens up a racetrack layout, allowing you to place special bets with just a single click.

French roulette final thoughts

Roulette is a game of chance, and no strategic maneuvers or betting tricks can alter the expected returns. Your best option to optimize your gameplay is to choose a variation with the lowest house edge, and French roulette sits comfortably at the top of that list. Take the time to understand the different bets and their respective payouts, as these odds can vary significantly.

Most top-rated casino apps in regulated markets, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, feature NetEnt’s version of French roulette. Whether you prefer to play from the comfort of your home on a desktop or on the move, this game is easy to access.

French roulette FAQ