French Roulette Rules: La Partage and En Prison Explained

French Roulette incorporates two distinctive rules that reduce the house edge on even-money bets: La Partage and En Prison. These rules specifically apply when the ball lands on zero.

Under the La Partage rule, players lose only half their stake on even-money bets when zero appears. This automatically returns 50% of the wager to the player, while the casino keeps the other half.

The En Prison rule offers an alternative approach. When zero occurs on an even-money bet, the wager is neither immediately won nor lost but placed "in prison." The bet then rides on the next spin. If the subsequent spin produces a winning outcome for the original bet, the player recovers their full stake without additional winnings. If it loses, the entire original wager is forfeited.

These mechanisms effectively reduce the house edge on even-money bets from the standard 2.70% found in European Roulette to approximately 1.35% in French Roulette. This mathematical advantage makes French Roulette statistically more favorable for players compared to both American Roulette (5.26% house edge) and standard European Roulette.

Players seeking optimal expected value should consider these rules when selecting which roulette variant to play.

Key Takeaways

* La Partage returns 50% of your bet when zero appears on even-money bets.

* En Prison "imprisons" your bet for the next spin when zero appears on even-money bets.

* Both La Partage and En Prison rules reduce the house edge to 1.35% on even-money bets.

* These rules only apply to outside even-money bets: red/black, even/odd, and high/low.

* La Partage and En Prison give French Roulette better odds than European (2.7%) or American (5.26%) versions.

Origins and History of French Roulette

The origins of French Roulette date to the 17th century France, where mathematician Blaise Pascal developed the roulette wheel as a byproduct of his experiments with perpetual motion machines.

Throughout the 18th century, the game underwent refinement in Parisian gambling establishments before reaching its standardized form.

French Roulette is characterized by a single zero, which provides more favorable odds compared to American Roulette with its additional double zero position.

French Roulette features distinctive elements including French terminology on its layout and specific rules such as La Partage and En Prison.

These rules, which return half the stake on even-money bets when zero appears or allow the bet to remain for another spin respectively, reduce the house advantage to 1.35%, making it mathematically advantageous compared to other roulette variants.

The lower house edge has contributed to French Roulette's sustained popularity among strategic casino players internationally. Today, platforms like Surewin continue to offer this classic game alongside other premium live casino options, allowing players to enjoy its rich history and favorable odds in a modern online setting.

The French Roulette Wheel and Table Layout

The physical elements of the roulette game have remained largely consistent in modern casinos worldwide.

The French wheel contains 37 numbered pockets: numbers 1-36 alternating between red and black, plus a single green zero.

This configuration distinguishes it from American roulette, which features an additional double zero pocket.

The French table layout employs French terminology throughout its design.

In contrast to American layouts, it positions outside bets on both sides of the numbered grid.

The racetrack section, also known as "Tiers du Cylindre," facilitates announced bets—specific combinations that cover particular sections of the wheel rather than sequential numbers on the table layout.

Basic Rules and Gameplay Mechanics

In French Roulette, you'll encounter a wheel with 37 pockets numbered 0-36, where the single zero distinguishes it from American Roulette's additional double zero.

The table layout features an inner section for straight, split, street, corner, and six-line bets, while the outer section accommodates column, dozen, even/odd, red/black, and high/low wagers.

You'll place your chips directly on the betting area that corresponds to your prediction before the croupier spins the wheel and releases the ball in the opposite direction.

Table Layout

The French roulette table is characterized by a wheel containing 37 numbered pockets and a structured betting layout on a green felt surface.

The wheel houses numbers 1 through 36, alternating between red and black colors, plus a single green zero.

French tables differ from American variants in their use of traditional French terminology for betting options.

The layout includes "Pair" (even), "Impair" (odd), "Manque" (numbers 1-18), and "Passe" (numbers 19-36).

The table design arranges the numbers in three vertical columns with designated areas surrounding them for outside bets.

The configuration allows multiple participants to engage simultaneously, with players placing their chips directly on their selected betting positions on the felt surface.

Wheel Configuration

French roulette features a wheel design dating to 18th century France.

The wheel contains 37 numbered pockets arranged in a deliberate sequence rather than consecutive numerical order.

The wheel includes numbers 1-36 alternating between red and black colors, with a single green zero (0).

This single-zero configuration provides more favorable odds compared to American roulette, which includes an additional double-zero pocket.

The number arrangement follows a specific mathematical pattern where high and low numbers, as well as odd and even numbers, are distributed across opposite sections of the wheel.

This calculated arrangement creates a balanced distribution of numbers.

During play, the wheel typically rotates clockwise while the ball spins counterclockwise, with the opposing motions contributing to the random outcome of each spin.

Understanding the La Partage Rule in Detail

The La Partage rule in French Roulette provides a specific advantage when placing even-money bets. This rule applies whenever the ball lands on zero and the player has wagered on an even-money outcome (red/black, odd/even, or 1-18/19-36).

Under this rule, players receive 50% of their original bet back when zero appears, rather than losing the entire wager as occurs in American or European roulette variants. This mathematical advantage reduces the house edge on even-money bets from 2.7% to 1.35%, effectively halving it.

This reduction in house edge makes French Roulette with the La Partage rule one of the more favorable table games in casino environments from a statistical perspective. The rule serves as a form of insurance against the zero outcome, which would otherwise result in a complete loss for even-money bets.

How the En Prison Rule Works

The En Prison Rule Works

The En Prison rule functions as an alternative to the La Partage rule in many French Roulette games. When a player makes an even-money bet (such as red/black, odd/even, or high/low) and the ball lands on zero, the bet becomes "imprisoned" for the following spin rather than being immediately lost.

On the subsequent spin, if the imprisoned bet wins, the player recovers only their original stake without receiving any additional winnings. If the bet loses on this follow-up spin, the player forfeits the entire wager.

This mechanism effectively reduces the house edge to 1.35%, which is lower than the advantage held by the house in both American and European roulette variations.

The rule provides players with an additional opportunity to recover their stake after a zero outcome, making French Roulette with the En Prison rule mathematically more favorable to players than versions without this feature.

Comparing French Roulette to European and American Variants

All roulette variants share fundamental gameplay elements, but French Roulette provides specific advantages compared to European and American versions.

The house edge in French Roulette is 1.35% for even-money bets, a result of the La Partage and En Prison rules which return half the stake or allow it to remain for the next spin when the ball lands on zero.

European Roulette carries a 2.7% house edge with its single zero wheel but doesn't incorporate the player-favorable rules found in French Roulette.

American Roulette has a higher house edge of 5.26% due to the addition of a double-zero pocket, making it mathematically the least advantageous option for players.

French Roulette utilizes a traditional table layout featuring French terminology and includes the racetrack betting section, which facilitates announced bets such as Voisins du Zero and Tiers du Cylindre.

Optimal Betting Strategies for French Roulette

French Roulette maintains a mathematical house edge that can't be overcome by any betting system in the long term.

The most advantageous approach is to utilize even-money bets when La Partage or En Prison rules are in effect, as these reduce the house edge to 1.35%.

Effective approaches include:

- Selecting outside bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low) which offer higher probability of winning

- Implementing systematic bankroll management with predetermined limits

- Avoiding the Martingale system due to its requirement for infinite capital

- Considering the D'Alembert system, which employs less aggressive progression

- Utilizing the Fibonacci sequence approach for more measured risk management

Each strategy contains inherent limitations, and players should understand that consistent profit remains mathematically impossible over extended play periods.

House Edge Calculations With La Partage and En Prison

The house edge in French Roulette is reduced when La Partage and En Prison rules are applied. On a single zero wheel without these special rules, the house edge on even-money bets is 2.70%.

La Partage allows players to recover half of their stake on even-money bets when zero appears.

This mathematical adjustment reduces the house edge to 1.35%. En Prison functions differently but produces the same statistical outcome.

When zero appears on an even-money bet, the wager is "imprisoned" for one additional spin, providing a second chance to win.

This also results in a house edge of 1.35%.

These rules create a statistical advantage for French Roulette compared to European Roulette (2.70% house edge) and American Roulette (5.26% house edge with its double zero).

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Playing French Roulette

You'll often miscalculate French Roulette's true house edge by neglecting the impact of La Partage and En Prison rules on your long-term returns.

Don't fall for betting systems like Martingale or Fibonacci that falsely promise guaranteed profits by increasing wager sizes after losses.

Remember that each roulette spin is an independent event, making pattern recognition and "due number" theories mathematically unsound strategies.

Misunderstanding House Edge

Many novice roulette players misinterpret the house edge in French Roulette. French Roulette has a house edge of 1.35% when La Partage or En Prison rules are applied, compared to 2.70% for European Roulette and 5.26% for American Roulette.

This difference is mathematically significant for long-term play. The house edge in French Roulette is approximately half that of European Roulette, which means that statistically, players can expect to lose money at a slower rate when playing French Roulette with these special rules.

Players who switch between variants without considering these differences fail to account for how the rule variations affect expected outcomes. When calculating expected losses over hundreds of spins, the lower house edge of French Roulette translates to measurably better odds for players, though it's important to note that the casino still maintains a mathematical advantage in all variants.

Betting System Fallacies

Betting systems such as the Martingale, Fibonacci, and D'Alembert strategies don't provide mathematical advantages in French Roulette.

These approaches create a perception of control but fail to address the inherent house edge that remains constant regardless of betting patterns. The Martingale system, which involves doubling bets after losses, is constrained by table limits and bankroll size.

Fibonacci sequences rearrange losses without altering the underlying probability structure. The D'Alembert system's linear progression strategy is similarly ineffective against the randomness of roulette outcomes.

A more effective approach for players is to utilize the La Partage and En Prison rules in French Roulette, which demonstrably reduce the house edge from 2.70% to 1.35% on even-money bets.

These rule-based advantages provide actual mathematical benefits, unlike betting systems that reorganize wager patterns without changing the game's fundamental odds.

Where to Find Authentic French Roulette Tables Online and Offline

Finding authentic French Roulette tables requires knowledge of specific venues and platforms, both physical and digital.

European casinos in Monaco, France, and throughout continental Europe typically offer genuine French Roulette, complete with La Partage and En Prison rules that reduce house edge.

For online play, several established platforms provide authentic French Roulette experiences.

Evolution Gaming, Playtech, and Betfair maintain live dealer options that adhere to traditional French Roulette specifications.

When selecting an online venue, it's advisable to verify the specific rules in place, as some platforms may market European wheels as "French Roulette" without implementing the characteristic La Partage or En Prison rules.

Casino de Monaco in Monte Carlo represents the benchmark for authentic French Roulette, offering the traditional experience in its original setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Negotiate Rule Variations With the Casino?

You can't negotiate rule variations with casinos. They set standardized rules to maintain fair gameplay and profitability. Your only option is finding a casino that offers your preferred variations.

What Are the Typical Table Limits for French Roulette?

French Roulette tables typically offer minimum bets between $5-25 and maximum bets ranging from $1,000-10,000. You'll find higher limits at upscale casinos and lower limits at regional establishments.

Is French Roulette Available on Mobile Casino Apps?

Yes, you'll find French roulette on many mobile casino apps. Most reputable operators offer it alongside American and European variations, with full functionality on both iOS and Android devices.

How Do Dealers Train Specifically for French Roulette?

You'll train by mastering La Partage and En Prison rules, practicing precise ball and chip handling, learning French betting terminology, and developing quick mental arithmetic for complex payouts.

Are French Roulette Tournaments Popular in Casinos?

You'll find French roulette tournaments aren't widely popular in most casinos. They're relatively rare compared to other casino competitions, though some European establishments occasionally host them.