Roulette may look like a pure game of chance – and, let’s be honest, it mostly is – but not all roulette wheels are created equal. If you’re trying to make smarter bets or just avoid bleeding chips too fast, french roulette might be the smartest version to play. Here’s why.
French vs American vs European: What’s the Deal?
Let’s start with structure. All roulette games revolve around a spinning wheel and a ball, but the number of zeroes makes a big difference:
- American roulette has 38 pockets: numbers 1–36, 0, and 00. That extra double zero gives the house a bigger edge.
- European roulette drops the double zero. That’s 37 pockets total and a lower house edge (about 2.7%).
- French roulette is built like the European version (same 37 pockets), but it adds a player-friendly rule: La Partage or En Prison.
Here’s what those mean: If you bet on even money (like red/black or odd/even) and the ball lands on 0, you don’t lose your entire bet. Either half is returned (La Partage) or your bet is “held” for the next spin (En Prison). Translation? You lose slower, which matters more than you think.
So… How Do You Play?
Super simple:
- Place your bets on the table (straight numbers, groups, colors, odd/even, etc.)
- The wheel spins. The ball lands. You either win or you don’t.
- If you made an even-money bet and the result is 0, the French rules kick in.
The best strategy for new players? Start with outside bets – red/black, high/low, odd/even. The payouts are smaller (1:1), but your chances are nearly 50%. Combine that with La Partage, and you’ve got a gentler learning curve.
Bankroll Tips: How Not to Bust in 10 Minutes
- Set a stop-loss. No matter what version you play, roulette will eat your bankroll if you don’t cap your losses.
- Flat betting works. Fancy systems like Martingale are fun in theory, but they rely on infinite bankroll and nerves of steel.
- Play fewer spins. The more you spin, the more you lean toward the house edge. Take breaks, switch games, or cash out early if you’re ahead.
Try It Online First
You can practice french roulette for free in demo versions – like the one from Evoplay – and get a feel for the wheel before risking real cash. Learn the layout, test your instincts, and see if the slower burn of French-style gameplay suits you better than the rapid-fire American variant.
