La Partage and En Prison Roulette Rules Explained
La Partage and En Prison are two zero rules used on French roulette and some European tables. Both apply only to even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, 1–18/19–36) and both soften the loss when the ball lands on zero. On a single-zero wheel they reduce the house edge on those bets from 2.70% to about 1.35%, making them the lowest-edge bets in standard roulette. This page explains each rule and the maths. It is part of our roulette guide.
La Partage
“La partage” is French for “the sharing”. When zero lands, each even-money bet loses only half its stake; the other half is returned to the player.
Example: A$20 on black, ball lands on 0.
| Rule | Result |
|---|---|
| Standard European | −A$20 |
| La Partage | −A$10 (A$10 returned) |
Expected value per A$1 on an even-money bet with La Partage:
- Win (18 pockets): +1 × 18/37
- Lose to a number (18 pockets): −1 × 18/37
- Zero (1 pocket): −0.5 × 1/37
- Total: −0.5/37 = −1.351%
RTP on those bets: 98.65%.
En Prison
“En prison” means “in prison”. When zero lands, the even-money bet is not settled. It stays on the table, usually marked with a prison marker, for the next spin:
- If the next spin wins the bet, the original stake is returned with no profit.
- If the next spin loses the bet, the stake is lost.
- If the next spin is zero again, the result depends on the house rule (see below).
Example: A$20 on red, ball lands on 0. Your A$20 is imprisoned. Next spin: 23 (red). You get A$20 back: net zero for the two spins. If the next spin had been black, you would lose A$20.
En Prison Variants and Their Edge
| Rule on a second zero | House edge on even-money bets |
|---|---|
| Bet loses | 1.39% (19/1369) |
| Bet stays imprisoned until it wins or loses | 1.35% (same as La Partage) |
| Bet is imprisoned at a second level and needs further wins to be released | between 1.35% and 1.39%, depending on the release rules |
Calculation for the “bet loses” version: the imprisoned bet is returned with probability 18/37 and lost with probability 19/37. Its value is −19/37 of the stake. Overall EV = (1/37) × (−19/37) = −19/1369 = −1.388%.
Calculation for the “stays imprisoned” version: let V be the value of an imprisoned bet. V = (18/37 × 0) + (18/37 × −1) + (1/37 × V), so V = −0.5. Overall EV = (1/37) × (−0.5) = −1.351%, identical to La Partage.
Worked Sequence: Five Spins at A$10 on Red
| Spin | Result | Standard European | La Partage | En Prison (second zero loses) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 red | +A$10 | +A$10 | +A$10 |
| 2 | 0 | −A$10 | −A$5 | bet imprisoned |
| 3 | 9 red | +A$10 | +A$10 | imprisoned bet returned (A$0); no new bet placed this spin |
| 4 | 0 | −A$10 | −A$5 | bet imprisoned |
| 5 | 0 | −A$10 | −A$5 | imprisoned bet lost (−A$10) |
| Total | −A$10 | +A$5 | A$0 |
The En Prison column assumes the player does not add a new red bet while a bet is imprisoned. With two zeros in five spins this sequence is unusual (expected once in 37 spins), but it shows how each rule settles differently.
La Partage vs En Prison: Practical Differences
| Factor | La Partage | En Prison |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement on zero | Immediate: half returned | Delayed to the next spin |
| House edge | 1.35% | 1.35%–1.39% |
| Can you remove the bet? | Not applicable | Usually no; some tables offer to take half instead |
| Common online | French RNG and live French tables | Less common online; found on some French and European tables |
| Effect on variance | Slightly lower | Slightly lower |
Many tables that offer En Prison let you choose La Partage instead (take half back immediately); the edge is the same or lower, so taking half is never worse.
What These Rules Do Not Cover
- Straight-ups, splits, streets, corners, six lines: 2.70% still applies.
- Dozens and columns: 2.70%.
- Call bets (Voisins, Tiers, Orphelins): built from inside bets, so 2.70%.
- American double-zero wheels: some offer a “Surrender” rule that returns half on 0 or 00, reducing even-money bets to 2.63%, still almost double the French figure.
The Cost Difference in A$
Even-money betting, A$10 per spin:
| Spins | Standard European (2.70%) | La Partage (1.35%) | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | A$27.00 | A$13.50 | A$13.50 |
| 500 | A$135.00 | A$67.50 | A$67.50 |
| 1,000 | A$270.00 | A$135.00 | A$135.00 |
The figures are long-run expectations; a session’s result also depends on variance.
How to Find a Table With These Rules
- Look for “French Roulette” in the RNG or live lobby. Not every French-layout game includes La Partage.
- Open the game rules and search for “La Partage”, “En Prison” or “half of the stake is returned”.
- Check the RTP listed for even-money bets: 98.65% confirms the rule is active.
- Live French tables can have higher minimums than standard European tables; check the limits panel.
Casinos with French and other single-zero tables are listed on our roulette sites list. Live formats are compared on the live roulette page.
Does It Help a Betting System?
The lower edge reduces the expected cost of any even-money system, including the Martingale, by half. It does not remove the risk of a long losing streak reaching the table limit. See Martingale in roulette and roulette strategies. The broader idea of house edge is explained in house edge explained, and the table layout with French terms is on the French roulette page.
Frequently Asked Questions
A rule that returns half of your stake on even-money bets when the ball lands on zero. It halves the house edge on those bets to 1.35%.
When zero lands, your even-money bet stays on the table for the next spin. If it then wins, the stake is returned; if it loses, the stake is lost.
They are equal or La Partage is slightly better (1.35% vs up to 1.39%), depending on how a second zero is handled under En Prison.
No. Only to even-money bets. All other bets keep the 2.70% edge on a single-zero wheel.
Yes, mostly as French roulette in RNG and live versions. Check the game rules or the 98.65% RTP for even-money bets.
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