If you’re curious about French Roulette, you’re on the right page! Come along to discover what this game version entails, what are its bets and how it differs from other Roulette variants.
French Roulette is very similar to a regular Roulette game. It consists of three elements: a base, a wheel and a ball.
The wheel rotates on the base, and the ball is thrown onto the wheel. At this moment, you and the other players place the bets. The French wheel consists of 37 squares or small segments where the ball may land when the wheel stops. Half of the pockets are black, while the rest are red.
Differences 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 of all, in French Roulette wheel, the winning odds are slightly better compared with 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 French version, and they apply only to variants with a single zero.
Moreover, you can easily identify both variants by the size and presentation of the betting table and the bids. Usually, when playing on Roulette sites, you can try both variants. Dedicated UK online casinos come with Roulette offers, which are easy to claim.
Keep in mind that 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 when it comes to implementing strategies. Think about this when using different Roulette techniques to minimise your losses!
A comparison of the Versions
French variant
American variant
37 segments
38 segments (including double 0)
Bets by sector
Bets by sector 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 the French Roulette Wheel
It is not necessary to fully understand the odds in order to play. After all, the variants usually start in the same way: the croupier spins the wheel clockwise and immediately throws the ball in the opposite direction. You can place your bet as long as the ball is moving along the Roulette walls. However, to better understand your winning odds, you can have a look at the probabilities in a regular Roulette game, 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 not very familiar 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.
Types of Bets
There are two major bet types in Roulette: inside and outside bets. Both of these include several subcategories.
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 large win because you could end up losing 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 in a row, such as 1, 2 and 3 or 6, 7 and 8. Its payout ratio is 11 to 1.
Corner Bet
The corner bet let’s 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, which is just as high as the other bets.
Outside bets
Outside bets assure you higher chances of winning, but the payouts are not as large. In fact, the winnings are generally 2 to 1.
Colour Bet
The colour bet gives you a choice between the 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 numbers. 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 simply 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 are the most classic type of bet in conventional casinos. Even the live casino section of many top online casinos in UK will give you the option of choosing this bet type.
An announced bet essentially 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:
Third of the wheel: This specifically covers the twelve numbers opposite to zero on the wheel. You will have to place different chips on the board to make your bet.
Neighbours of zero: This only covers the numbers from 22 to 25. Compared to outside bets, the payout tends to be very generous.
Zero game: This bet allows you to choose some of the squares close to zero. Since it only covers four sets of numbers, the payout is quite high.
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 closely monitor your spending and play responsibly!
