This is an educational guide to how casino games work. House edge and payout figures are typical values and vary by game, rules and operator. No casino game can be beaten in the long run — play for entertainment, never as a way to make money, and only stake what you can afford to lose.
What Is French Roulette?
French roulette is the player’s best friend among the roulette family — thanks to a couple of rules that quietly cut the house edge. Here’s how it works.
The same wheel, better rules
French roulette uses the same single-zero wheel as European roulette (37 pockets). What sets it apart are two special rules on even-money bets: La Partage and En Prison.
How the rules help
When the ball lands on zero, La Partage returns half your even-money stake, while En Prison “imprisons” it for the next spin to win back. Either way, you lose less on a zero — and that cuts the house edge on even-money bets to around 1.35%, half the European rate.
The best roulette to play
For even-money bets like red/black or odd/even, French roulette offers the lowest house edge of the common versions. If it’s available, it’s the smart choice. See European vs American roulette, what roulette is and what the house edge is.
Frequently asked questions
What is French roulette?
A single-zero roulette game with the La Partage or En Prison rule on even-money bets.
Why is the house edge lower?
On even-money bets, those rules return or “imprison” half your stake on a zero, cutting the edge to about 1.35%.
Is it the best roulette to play?
For even-money bets, yes — it offers the lowest house edge of the common roulette versions.
Related guides: European vs American roulette, what roulette is and what the house edge is.