French Roulette: Layout, Call Bets and La Partage
French roulette uses the same single-zero wheel as European roulette, but adds La Partage (or En Prison) on even-money bets and uses a different table layout with French terms. The rule change matters: even-money bets on a French table carry a 1.35% house edge instead of 2.70%, the lowest of any standard roulette bet. French tables are also where “call bets” (announced bets on sectors of the wheel) originate. This page is part of our roulette guide.
French vs European vs American at a Glance
| Feature | French | European | American |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pockets | 37 | 37 | 38 |
| Even-money edge | 1.35% (La Partage) | 2.70% (1.35% if La Partage offered) | 5.26% |
| Other bets edge | 2.70% | 2.70% | 5.26% (five-number 7.89%) |
| Layout | Single-colour French layout, outside bets on both sides | Standard layout | Standard layout with 00 |
| Call bets | Standard | Usually available via racetrack | Rare |
La Partage and En Prison
La Partage (“sharing”): when the ball lands on zero, half of each even-money stake is returned and half is lost. A A$20 bet on red loses A$10 instead of A$20 when zero hits.
The maths on an even-money bet:
- Win: 18/37 × (+1)
- Lose to a number: 18/37 × (−1)
- Zero: 1/37 × (−0.5)
- Expected value = −0.5/37 = −1.35%
En Prison: the even-money stake stays on the table for the next spin. If the bet then wins, the stake is returned (no profit); if it loses, the stake is lost. The edge is about 1.35%–1.39%, depending on what happens if a second zero lands while the bet is imprisoned. More detail on our La Partage and En Prison page.
Neither rule applies to inside bets, dozens or columns; they remain at 2.70%.
French Table Terms
| French | English | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Plein | Straight up | 1 number, 35:1 |
| Cheval | Split | 2 numbers, 17:1 |
| Transversale pleine | Street | 3 numbers, 11:1 |
| Carré | Corner | 4 numbers, 8:1 |
| Transversale simple / sixain | Six line | 6 numbers, 5:1 |
| Douzaine (P12, M12, D12) | Dozen | 12 numbers, 2:1 |
| Colonne | Column | 12 numbers, 2:1 |
| Rouge / Noir | Red / Black | 18 numbers, 1:1 |
| Pair / Impair | Even / Odd | 18 numbers, 1:1 |
| Manque / Passe | 1–18 / 19–36 | 18 numbers, 1:1 |
P12, M12 and D12 stand for première (1–12), moyenne (13–24) and dernière (25–36) douzaine.
Call Bets (Announced Bets)
Call bets cover sectors of the wheel rather than areas of the layout. Online, they are placed through the “racetrack” view. Each is a fixed group of chips placed on standard bets, so the house edge is still 2.70%.
| Call bet | Numbers covered | Chips | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voisins du Zéro (neighbours of zero) | 17: 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25 | 9 | 2 on 0-2-3 trio, 1 each on splits 4/7, 12/15, 18/21, 19/22, 32/35, 2 on corner 25/26/28/29 |
| Tiers du Cylindre (third of the wheel) | 12: 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33 | 6 | 1 each on splits 5/8, 10/11, 13/16, 23/24, 27/30, 33/36 |
| Orphelins (orphans) | 8: 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 17, 34, 6 | 5 | 1 straight on 1, 1 each on splits 6/9, 14/17, 17/20, 31/34 |
| Jeu Zéro (zero game) | 7: 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15 | 4 | 1 each on splits 0/3, 12/15, 32/35, 1 straight on 26 |
| Neighbours (e.g. “17 and the neighbours”) | 5: the number and two either side | 5 | 1 straight on each |
Voisins, Tiers and Orphelins together cover all 37 numbers on the wheel.
Example: Voisins du Zéro with A$1 chips (A$9 total)
- Ball lands on 0, 2 or 3: the trio pays 11:1 on A$2 = A$22 profit; other chips (A$7) lose. Net +A$15.
- Ball lands on 26 (or 25, 28, 29): the corner pays 8:1 on A$2 = A$16; other chips (A$7) lose. Net +A$9.
- Ball lands on 4, 7, 12, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22, 32 or 35: a split pays 17:1 on A$1 = A$17; other chips (A$8) lose. Net +A$9.
- Any of the other 20 numbers: −A$9.
Expected value: (3 × 15 + 4 × 9 + 10 × 9 − 20 × 9) ÷ 37 = −9/37 = −A$0.243, which is 2.70% of A$9.
Strategy on French Tables
No betting pattern changes the house edge, but the choice of bet does:
- If you want the lowest edge available, use even-money bets (rouge/noir, pair/impair, manque/passe) on a table with La Partage: 1.35%.
- Call bets and inside bets carry 2.70%, the same as on a European table.
- Do not assume every “French” title includes La Partage. Some online games use the French layout without it. Check the help screen for “La Partage” and an RTP of 98.65% on even-money bets.
Systems such as the Martingale do not change these figures; see roulette strategies and the Martingale page.
French Roulette Online
RNG French roulette is common at casinos that carry games from large software providers, and live French tables are offered by several live studios, sometimes with higher table minimums than standard European live tables. The live roulette page covers live formats. For the rules of roulette in general, see roulette rules, and for casinos that list roulette tables, our roulette sites list.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.35% on even-money bets with La Partage or En Prison, and 2.70% on all other bets.
A rule that returns half of your even-money stake when the ball lands on zero, halving the house edge on those bets.
Announced bets on sectors of the wheel, such as Voisins du Zéro (17 numbers, 9 chips), Tiers du Cylindre (12 numbers, 6 chips) and Orphelins (8 numbers, 5 chips).
No. They are combinations of standard splits, streets and straight-ups, so the house edge remains 2.70%.
Yes, in both RNG and live versions. Check the rules for La Partage, because not every French-layout game includes it.
18+ only. For support, call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858.