Understanding The Specialty Bets In French Roulette

| November 6, 2019

One of the most alluring parts of roulette is that you can start with a little and win a lot. That is, if Lady Luck is on your side. While most people know about the traditional, American version of roulette, the French version is far more popular in Europe – especially the casinos in Monte Carlo. If you’re new to the French version, read on below to find out the main differences between the games and then we’ll help you understand all of the bets that are available to you.

The Main Difference Between French & American Roulette

Black and white photo of roulette being played.

The first thing you should note in terms of the differences is the number of pockets on the wheel. The French roulette has 37 colored pockets with numbers from 0 to 36. As for the American version, there are 38 in total as you’ll also have a ‘00’. Most studies have shown that the double-zero gives the house a bigger edge, roughly of about 5.3%. Right of the bat, you’re better off playing the French version as the house has a smaller edge at about 2.7%.

In general, if you want to win more, play the French version.

French Roulette Bets

Straight-Up Bets –

These are the types of bets where you simply choose a number. Think about the amount you want to bet and then put that chip on the number. If the ball lands in the pocket of the number you’ve chosen, you collect a payout of 35/1.

Split Bets –

This allows you to bet two numbers that are adjacent to each other on the table. For example, the ‘six’ and ‘nine’ squares on the table are next to each other. If you put your chip on the dividing line between the two, you are betting on both numbers. If the ball lands in either pocket, you win. The payout for this win is 17/1.

Street Bet –

This is a bet that allows you to bet on three numbers at once. If place your chip down at the end of the row, you will win if the ball lands in the pocket of any of those three numbers. For example, the 13-14-15 row is one street. If you bet on that row and one of those numbers comes up, you earn an 11/1 payout.

Corner Bet –

This is when you place your chip on the corner where four different numbers meet. For example, you might play a 4-5-7-8 corner. In this case, you’ll get all of those numbers and if one of them comes up, you earn a payout of 8/1.

Line Bet –

A line bet gives you access to six numbers, otherwise known as two rows of three numbers. You place your chip at the end of the row, in between two rows. If this hits, you collect a nice 5/1 payout.

Outside Bets –

If you’re looking to increase your chances of winning, you can bet on a full column of numbers. Simply put your chip at the end of the column and you’ll get every number in it. Of course, since you’re getting about a third of the numbers, your payout is much smaller at just 2/1.

Dozen Bets –

This is another type of bet that gives you a lot of numbers. This time, your choosing either numbers 1-12, which is marked ‘12P’ on the table, the numbers 13-24, which are marked ‘12M’ on the table, or 25-36, which are marked as ‘12D’ on the able. If your number comes up, you’ll earn 2/1.

Color Bets –

If you want to increase your chances of winning even more so, you can bet on which color will come up. Remember there is red, black and the one green pocket with zero. If you pick ‘red’, any number that’s on a red square is yours. If you win, you’ll earn a 1/1 payout (double your money).

Odds/Even Bets –

Similar to color bets, you can bet on odds and evens. If you choose odds, you get every odd number on the table. If you bet even, you get every even number on the table. However, if you win, you earn a 1/1 payout.

High-Low Bets –

This type of bet also increases your chances of winning but decreases your payout. The numbers that you’re getting here are of different segments – either higher or lower. You can get the “Manque” box, which is numbers 1-18 or the “Passe” box, which is numbers 19-36. If your number comes up, you earn a 1/1 payout.

Advanced Rules

En Prison Rule –

There are a couple of options for you if you’ve bet on Red-Black, Even-Odd or Low-High, and the ball lands on zero. With En Prison bets, you are allowed to invoke this rule if this happens. The next step is the player will get 50% of their bet back and 50% will be imprisoned on another bet. If that bet comes up a winner on the next spin, then you win that 50% back. If not, the money goes to the house.

Le Partage Rule –

Similar to an “En Prison” situation, if you’re playing a bet on Red-Black, Even-Odd or Low-High, and the ball lands on zero, you can invoke the “Le Partage” rule. This means the bet is divided by two with 50% going to the house and 50% coming back to the player.

So, the next time you sit down to play roulette at an online casino or in person, give French roulette a try.

Dave Golokhov

For nearly two decades, Dave Golokhov has been working with his passions in the mainstream media as well as the sports betting realm. Some of the highlights include hosting several radio shows on Sirius Satellite Radio, television appearances and interviewing hundreds of high-profile stars like Shaquille O'Neal and Floyd Mayweather. Dave is also the founder of WERSTARS, a website app to save and the moments of your life.

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