Online French Roulette vs. European Roulette: Key Differences

In the bustling world of online casinos, roulette remains one of the most captivating table games, drawing players with its elegant simplicity and thrilling gameplay. While many players are familiar with European roulette, its sophisticated cousin, online French roulette offers some intriguing variations that can significantly impact the player’s experience and potential returns. Understanding the distinctions between these two variants is crucial for any serious player looking to optimize their gameplay strategy.

Both French and European roulette emerged from the same historical roots, dating back to 18th-century France. Today, they share several fundamental characteristics that make them more favorable to players compared to their American counterpart. However, the devils – and the advantages – lie in the details.

Common Features

At first glance, French and European roulette appear nearly identical, and indeed, they share crucial foundational elements. Both variants utilize a single-zero wheel containing 37 pockets – numbers 1 through 36 and a single zero. This configuration immediately sets them apart from American roulette, which includes an additional double-zero pocket.

The wheel layout follows the same pattern in both versions, with numbers arranged in a specific sequence designed to maintain balance between high and low, odd and even, and red and black numbers. This arrangement creates the characteristic alternation of colors and numerical values that roulette players have come to recognize worldwide.

Both variants offer the same core betting options, including:

• Inside bets (straight up, split, street, corner, and line bets)
• Outside bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low, dozens, and columns)
• Standard payouts for these basic bets remain consistent across both versions

The base house edge in both games starts at 2.70% for most bets, making them significantly more player-friendly than the American version’s 5.26% house edge. This mathematical advantage has contributed to their enduring popularity in both traditional and online casinos.

Moreover, both versions maintain the same basic gameplay flow. Players place their bets on the table layout, the wheel spins in one direction while the ball travels in the opposite direction, and winners are determined by where the ball eventually comes to rest.

French Roulette Distinctive Features

What truly sets French roulette apart are its unique rules and betting options that can significantly benefit players. The most notable of these are the La Partage and En Prison rules, which apply to even-money bets when the ball lands on zero.

The La Partage (meaning “the divide” in French) rule automatically returns half of any even-money bet to the player when zero hits. For instance, if you’ve placed a €20 bet on red and the ball lands on zero, you’ll receive €10 back instead of losing the entire wager. This rule alone reduces the house edge on even-money bets from 2.70% to 1.35%, making French roulette particularly attractive for players who prefer these safer bets.

The En Prison rule offers an alternative to La Partage in some venues. When the ball lands on zero, instead of immediately losing half the bet, the even-money wager becomes “imprisoned” for one more spin. If your bet wins on the next spin, you receive your original stake back in full. If it loses, you lose the entire bet. This rule also effectively halves the house edge on even-money bets.

Key Differences in Betting Options

The betting landscape in French roulette extends beyond the standard options with a sophisticated array of called bets or announced bets, traditionally executed on the racetrack betting area. These special bets include:

Voisins du Zero (“neighbors of zero”): A seven-chip bet covering zero and its neighboring numbers on the wheel Tiers du Cylindre (“thirds of the wheel”): Covering 12 numbers opposite to zero Orphelins (“orphans”): Betting on numbers not included in the other called bets Finales en Plein: Betting on all numbers ending with a specific digit

The table layout itself also differs significantly. While European roulette typically displays betting options in English, French roulette maintains traditional French terminology. “Pair” replaces “Even,” “Impair” replaces “Odd,” and “Manque” and “Passe” represent low and high numbers respectively. The outside betting areas are also arranged differently, often split between both sides of the table rather than concentrated on one side as in European roulette.

House Edge Comparison

The mathematical advantage in both variants deserves careful consideration, as it directly impacts players’ long-term results. While both games start with a base house edge of 2.70%, French roulette’s special rules create a significant advantage for players making even-money bets.

Let’s break down the numbers:

• European Roulette: Maintains a consistent 2.70% house edge across all bets
• French Roulette:
  • Standard bets: 2.70% house edge
  • Even-money bets with La Partage/En Prison: 1.35% house edge

This reduction in house edge means that for every €1,000 wagered on even-money bets, the theoretical loss in French roulette is €13.50, compared to €27.00 in European roulette. Over time, this difference can substantially impact a player’s bankroll sustainability.

Which Variant to Choose?

The choice between French and European roulette ultimately depends on several factors:

Playing Style:

• If you prefer even-money bets, French roulette offers clear advantages through its La Partage or En Prison rules
• For players who enjoy straight-up bets or other inside wagers, both variants offer identical odds
• Those who appreciate traditional casino atmosphere might prefer French roulette’s authentic terminology and layout

Availability: While European roulette is widely available at most online casinos, genuine French roulette with La Partage or En Prison rules might be harder to find. When choosing an online casino, verify that the “French” roulette offered actually includes these advantageous rules, as some versions merely adopt the French layout and terminology without the beneficial rule modifications.

Learning Curve:

• European roulette offers a more straightforward experience with familiar English terminology
• French roulette requires learning additional terms and betting options, but rewards this effort with improved odds and a broader range of betting possibilities

To summarize

While both French and European roulette offer excellent gaming experiences, French roulette edges ahead thanks to its player-friendly rules on even-money bets. The reduced house edge through La Partage or En Prison rules makes it mathematically superior for certain betting strategies, while its additional betting options provide more diverse gameplay opportunities.

For serious players who don’t mind learning the extra terminology and can find venues offering genuine French roulette with all its special rules, it represents the optimal choice. However, European roulette remains a perfectly viable alternative, especially for those who prefer simplicity or cannot access true French roulette tables. Whichever variant you choose, understanding these key differences allows you to make an informed decision aligned with your playing style and goals.