Find out how French roulette differs from American roulette and what extra bets can be made in this queen of gambling games.
French Roulette
French roulette is one of the variants of this popular gambling game (source: pixabay.com)
Roulette is undoubtedly one of the most popular gambling games enjoyed by many players in all gaming halls and casinos. Due to its popularity, it is also available in many online casinos, where its live version is often offered. However, French roulette differs slightly from American roulette, not only in appearance and the number of pockets but also in the extra bets that cannot be placed in other versions.
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What does French roulette look like?
Unlike American roulette, French roulette contains only 37 pockets. Specifically, it consists of numbers from 0 to 36, which are not arranged in ascending or descending order next to each other but according to an internationally recognized layout. They are marked on a smaller moving roulette wheel in the specific order of 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26. Eighteen of these pockets are red, another eighteen are black, and the single zero is green. The moving roulette wheel is set into a larger stationary wheel, on which the dealer spins the thrown ball in the opposite direction of the smaller wheel’s movement. After a while, the ball drops from the outer wheel into the smaller one and eventually lands in one of its pockets. Depending on which number and color it stops on, the results of the players’ closed bets are then calculated.
How does French roulette differ?
In addition to the number of pockets on the roulette wheel, another significant difference is the playing table, where all inscriptions are in French. Players will encounter the term Pair for even numbers, Impair for odd numbers, Mangue for small numbers (from 1 to 18), and Passe for large numbers (from 19 to 36). Instead of color names, the playing table features black and red diamonds.
La Partage rule
This special rule applies only in French roulette and is associated with zero. When the spun ball lands on zero, players involved in the game have the chance to change their original bets. They can take back half or leave it in the same place, and the outcome of the bet will be decided in the next round. If the ball lands on zero again, the player loses and forfeits their bet.
Bets in French roulette
Two types of bets (outside and inside) are also present in the French version of roulette; however, there are also additional bets called Cell Bets. These five types of bets are unique to French roulette and cannot be placed in the American version. Specifically, these bets are:
- Voisins du Zero (neighbors of zero): in this bet, also known as the Big Series, players bet a total of 9 chips on 17 numbers that surround the number 0 on the roulette. Specifically, two chips on the street 0/2 and 0/3, one chip on the splits 4/7, 12/15, 18/21, 19/22, 32/35, and two chips on the corner 25/26/28/29.
- Tiers du Cylindre (third of the wheel): with this bet, players bet on 12 numbers located directly opposite zero 6 chips, on the splits 5/8, 10/11, 13/16, 23/24, 27/30, and 33/36.
- Orphelins (orphans): this bet includes the remaining 8 numbers that do not belong to either of the previously mentioned groups (neighbors of zero or third of the wheel), and players bet only 5 chips here. One bets on the number 1, and the other four are placed on the splits 6/9, 14/17, 17/20, and 31/34.
- Finales en Plein: here, players bet on a group of numbers that end with a specific digit. For example, they can place a bet on the number series 4, 14, 24, and 34.
- Finales a Cheval: a bet similar to the previous one, but players can bet on groups of two specific numbers, such as 4, 5, 14, 15, 24, 25, 34, 35.
Payout ratios
If players manage to win a bet, their winnings are paid out according to the usual payout ratios, as can be seen in the table below. The size of their winnings is thus determined by the exact amount they wagered (based on the value of the placed chip).
| Type of bet | Example bet | Payout ratio |
| Specific number | number 14 | 35:1 |
| Dozens | first dozen 1 – 12, second dozen 13 – 24, third dozen 25 – 36 | 2:1 |
| Columns | first column 1 – 34, second column 2 – 35, third column 3 – 36 | 2:1 |
| Even bets | Black/red even/odd small/big | 1:1 |
| Six line (six numbers) | six numbers in two rows | 5:1 |
| Street (row) | three numbers in one row | 11:1 |
| Corner | four neighboring numbers in squares | 8:1 |
| Split (neighboring numbers) | two neighboring numbers | 17:1 |
Where can you play French roulette?
Interested players can play French roulette in some brick-and-mortar casinos and gaming halls, as well as online on the websites of online casinos. While the game in physical establishments is accessible without registration, those wishing to play online must first properly register on the website of the respective company, and in addition to filling out basic personal and contact information, they must also verify their identity and make a deposit into their gaming account.
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Is it better to choose French or American roulette?
In French roulette, specific rules “La Partage” and “En Prison” allow players to recover part of their bet (in case zero is hit), while in American roulette, this advantage does not exist. Conversely, American roulette has two zeros (0 and 00), while French roulette has only one. In American roulette, the casino has a much higher edge, which means lower winning chances for all players. Therefore, if you can choose between American or French roulette, always opt for the French version to have a better chance of long-term winnings.Frequently asked questions
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