Deeper Into the Game: Master the French Roulette like a Professional

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French Roulette

If you want to discover the dynamics and strategy around French Roulette, you have come to the right place.

Our guide will explore gameplay on the iconic 37-number wheel, overview unique bet types, and highlight critical distinctions separating French tables from other popular Roulette variants.

Understanding the French Roulette

What is French Roulette

The rules of French Roulette are pretty similar to those of standard Roulette. It has three parts: the base, the wheel, and the ball.

The ball is tossed onto the spinning wheel mounted on the base. The time has come for you and your other gamers to set down some wagers. When the French wheel comes to a halt, the ball has 37 possible landing spots, either squares or little parts. There are two colours of pockets: half black and half red.

Critical Differences Between French and American RouletteDifferences Between French and American Roulette

Both versions start from the principle of a regular Roulette game. You must place your bets on the possibility that the ball will land in a specific pocket on the wheel. However, the rules of each version are slightly different.

Different Bets

First, the winning odds are slightly better in the French Roulette wheel than in the American variant. Why? Because the latter contains an additional pocket: the double 0. So, in this case, the odds are lower. This also changes the bets slightly, especially in the case of ‘sector plays’, which are only available in the French version and apply only to variants with a single zero.

Moreover, you can quickly identify both variants by the betting table’s size and the bids’ presentation. Usually, when playing on Roulette sites, you can try both variants. Dedicated UK online casinos come with Roulette bonus offers, which are easy to claim.

Remember that the French Roulette table is usually larger than its American cousin. This will help you recognise the version just by reviewing the mentioned details.

Other Rules for French Roulette Wheel

Another noticeable difference is that the French version contains two rules that do not exist in the American version: La Partage and En Prison. Both of these apply only to even-money bets. Still, they do not change the course of the game regarding implementing strategies. Think about this when using different Roulette strategies to minimise your losses!

A Comparison of Roulette Versions

French variant American variant
37 segments 38 segments (including double 0)
Bets by sector Bets by sector are not allowed
Allows the ‘bet the first 4’ Allows the ‘bet the first 5’
Large table Medium-sized table
High payout odds (great for placing substantial bets) Low payout odds (suitable for smaller bets)
Moderate pace of play Quick pace

Guide to Playing French Roulette Like a Pro Guide to Playing the French Roulette Wheel

Mastering the odds is not everything when playing French Roulette. After all, the variants usually start similarly: the croupier spins the wheel clockwise and immediately throws the ball in the opposite direction. You can place your bet if the ball moves along the Roulette walls. However, to better understand your winning odds, you can look at the odds in Roulette, as it is not much different from the French version.

Depending on your bet, you can receive large payouts from low odds and vice versa. Remember that you will not have much time to decide. Once the ball begins to lose momentum, the croupier will give the signal to indicate ‘no more’. At this point, no more bets can be placed. Everyone must wait for the ball to land on any of the 37 squares of the French Roulette wheel.

If you’re unfamiliar with the game, we advise you to choose the bets that ensure a 40% to 50% chance of success. While there is no certainty that you will win, you’ll most likely have better odds than with inside bets. These types of wagers are more suitable for experienced players.

All the Bets You Can Place When Playing French Roulette

Types of Bets

There are two major bet types in Roulette: inside and outside bets. Both include several subcategories; mastering them may be the key to your gameplay success.

Inside Bets

Think carefully before choosing any of the inside bet options! These bets ensure significant payouts, but the odds of winning are very low. Don’t be tempted by the promise of a significant win because you could lose everything in the blink of an eye. So, if you’re an inexperienced player, we recommend avoiding these bets.

Straight-up Bet

For direct bets, choose 1 of the 37 numbers on the wheel. This is the best-paid bet in the French version, as the reward ratio is 35 to 1.

Street Bet

Also known as ‘Transversale Plein’, which means transverse row, the street bet allows you to choose 3 numbers, such as 1, 2 and 3 or 6, 7 and 8. Its payout ratio is 11 to 1.

Corner Bet

The corner bet lets you choose 4 numbers whose corners meet on the table. It has a payout ratio of 5 to 1. This is a fair payout, considering the level of difficulty.

Split Bet

This bet is less complicated as you place your chip on the dividing line between two numbers on the table, either vertically or horizontally. The payout here is 17 to 1.

Line Bet

The line bet covers six numbers or two rows of three numbers. If you win, the payout is 5 to 1, just as high as the other bets.

Outside bets

Outside bets assure higher chances of winning, but the payouts are not as large. The winnings are generally 2 to 1.

Colour Bet

The colour bet lets you choose between two colour sets: red or black. Each group has 16 numbers, excluding zero. The payout is 1 to 1.

Dozen Bet

The French Roulette wheel is divided into three sets of numbers, each containing twelve. The dozen bet allows you to place your chip on one of these three sets. The payout is 3 to 1.

Odd/Even

With the odd/even bet, you choose whether the winning number will be odd or even. The payout is relatively good at 2 to 1.

Low/High 

The low/high bet allows you to choose between 2 groups: low numbers (1 to 18) and high numbers (19 to 36). If you win, the payout here is also 2 to 1.

Announced Bets

Announced bets

Announced bets are the most classic type of bet in conventional casinos. Even the live casino section of many top online casinos in the UK will allow you to choose this bet type.

An announced bet allows you to bet on a larger portion of the Roulette wheel. Some tables feature a ‘racetrack’ separate from the inside and outside betting area where you can place these bets.

There are different types of announced bets relating to inside and outside bets. Some of these are:

  1. Third of the wheel: This covers explicitly the twelve numbers opposite to zero on the wheel. You must place different chips on the board to make your bet.
  2. Neighbours of zero: This only covers the numbers from 22 to 25. Compared to outside bets, the payout tends to be very generous.
  3. Zero game: This bet allows you to choose some squares near zero. The payout is relatively high since it only covers four sets of numbers.

 The French Roulette wheel is a great option if you’re a new player, especially if you’re playing online. But before diving into the game, we recommend consulting a few tips for new online punters. After that, choose your casino carefully and take your time to read the game’s rules. Before placing a bet, analyse all your options. Most importantly, don’t forget to monitor your spending and play responsibly closely!