French Roulette: Play Free With La Partage (1.35% Edge)
Why French Roulette Has the Best Odds
1.35% house edge on even-money bets thanks to La Partage — that's half of European Roulette's 2.70% and roughly a quarter of American's 5.26%. Play the table above, scroll down for the math, or tap the PLAY NOW cover. 1,000 virtual credits, no signup, instant browser play.
French Roulette is the most player-friendly roulette variant on earth. It uses the same single-zero wheel as European Roulette (37 pockets), but adds one decisive rule: La Partage. Whenever the ball lands on 0, every even-money bet — Red/Black, Odd/Even, and 1-18/19-36 — loses only half its stake. The other half is returned to you automatically. That single rule cuts the long-run house edge on those bets from 2.70% down to 1.35%, the lowest in any common casino game.
On $100 of even-money bets spread across 1,000 spins, French Roulette costs you about $13.50 on average — versus $27 on European and $52.60 on American. You get almost four times the playable time from the same bankroll compared to American Roulette. Built with realistic PixiJS physics — smooth wheel rotation, authentic ball drop, true random-number spins. Prefer the classic European feel (no La Partage, 2.70% flat edge)? Try our European Roulette table. Fancy the Vegas variant with its 0/00 wheel? Head to American Roulette.
What Is French Roulette?
French Roulette is the original form of the game as it is played in Monte Carlo, Paris, and the great European casinos. Two things define it: the single-zero wheel (37 pockets, numbers 1–36 plus a single green 0) and the La Partage rule, which softens the blow whenever the ball lands on 0.
Historically, the single-zero wheel was introduced in 1843 by the Blanc brothers at the Bad Homburg spa casino in Germany, then carried to Monte Carlo in 1860 as François Blanc's flagship offering. La Partage and En Prison appeared on French Roulette tables shortly afterward and have been the defining feature of the French variant ever since. When people picture a traditional European casino — tuxedos, burgundy felt, a French-speaking croupier calling out "mesdames et messieurs, faites vos jeux" — they're picturing a French Roulette table.
On our virtual table the layout mirrors a real French Roulette spread: 37 numbers in a 3×12 grid with the 0 on top, plus the outside bet zones for Red/Black, Odd/Even, Dozens, Columns, and 1-18/19-36. Before each spin you place chips. The wheel turns one way, the ball the other, and when it settles into a pocket the computer pays winners and applies La Partage for any even-money bets that lose on a 0.
The La Partage Rule Explained
"La Partage" is French for "the split" or "the sharing". It is a single-line rule with an outsized impact on the game's math:
La Partage — "the split"
When the ball hits 0, instead of losing your whole even-money stake you lose only half; the other half is returned automatically. This single rule drops the house edge on Red/Black, Odd/Even, and Low/High bets from 2.70% to just 1.35%.
Which bets are covered? Only the three even-money outside bets: Red/Black, Odd/Even, and 1-18/19-36 (Low/High). Dozens, columns, and every inside bet (straight, split, street, corner, basket) resolve normally and are not refunded on 0.
How much does it save you? On any covered bet, you now lose a full stake only 18 times in 37 and half a stake once in 37 — for a long-run expected loss of (18 + 0.5) / 37 ≈ 1.35%, exactly half of the classic 2.70% European edge. This version applies La Partage automatically the moment 0 spins — you'll see the refund land in your balance with no action required.
Note: the related En Prison rule is a close alternative used on some French tables — same 1.35% math but instead of refunding half, your even-money bet is "imprisoned" for the next spin. Our table uses La Partage, which is more common in modern online French Roulette.
French Roulette Wheel Layout
The French wheel is identical to a European wheel: 37 pockets arranged in a carefully balanced sequence so that red/black, odd/even, and high/low are distributed as evenly as possible around the circle.
Standard single-zero wheel sequence (clockwise from 0): 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26. Notice how red and black alternate for almost every adjacent pair, and how low numbers (1–18) are interleaved with high numbers (19–36) so that no large cluster of similar numbers appears on the rim.
Red/Black distribution: the 18 red numbers are 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 34, 36. The other 18 (1–36) are black. The 0 is green.
The three French "wheel sections" that call bets are built around:
- Voisins du Zéro (Neighbours of Zero) — 17 numbers around the 0: 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25.
- Tiers du Cylindre (Third of the Wheel) — 12 numbers opposite the 0: 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33.
- Orphelins (Orphans) — the 8 leftover numbers: 1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, 34.
French Roulette Rules
Basic play is identical to any roulette variant. The wheel spins, the ball drops into one of the 37 pockets, and any bet that covers the winning number wins at the posted payout. Standard payouts: 35-to-1 for a single number, 17-to-1 for a two-number split, 11-to-1 for a three-number street, 8-to-1 for a four-number corner, 5-to-1 for a six-number double-street, 2-to-1 for Dozens and Columns, and 1-to-1 for the even-money outside bets. Every non-even-money bet carries the standard single-zero house edge of 2.70%.
The key difference is what happens to even-money bets on 0:
- 0 is spun. Red/Black, Odd/Even, and 1-18/19-36 bets return half of the stake automatically (La Partage). Every other bet loses unless it explicitly covers 0.
- Any other number is spun. All bets resolve normally at the posted payout.
French Roulette Bet Types
French Roulette offers the full roulette bet menu, divided into inside bets (placed on specific numbers), outside bets (placed on broader groups), and the traditional call bets (French announced bets placed on a racetrack overlay).
Inside Bets
- Straight Up — single number (including 0). Pays 35 to 1.
- Split — two adjacent numbers. Pays 17 to 1.
- Street — three numbers in a row (e.g. 1, 2, 3). Pays 11 to 1.
- Corner — four numbers in a square. Pays 8 to 1.
- First Four (Basket) — 0, 1, 2, 3 covered by one chip. Pays 8 to 1, fair 2.70% edge.
- Six Line (Double Street) — two adjacent rows (six numbers). Pays 5 to 1.
Outside Bets (La Partage applies)
- Red / Black — 1 to 1, wins ~48.65%. Half stake returned on 0.
- Odd / Even — 1 to 1, ~48.65%. Half stake returned on 0.
- Low (1–18) / High (19–36) — 1 to 1, ~48.65%. Half stake returned on 0.
- Dozens (1–12, 13–24, 25–36) — 2 to 1, ~32.43%. La Partage does not apply.
- Columns (three vertical columns of 12) — 2 to 1, ~32.43%. La Partage does not apply.
Call Bets (French Announced Bets)
- Voisins du Zéro — 17 numbers near the 0, placed as combined splits, a street, and a corner.
- Tiers du Cylindre — 12 numbers opposite the 0, placed as six splits.
- Orphelins — 8 leftover numbers, placed as splits plus a straight-up on 1.
- Jeu Zéro — a short version of Voisins covering the 7 numbers closest to the 0.
Our version lets you recreate these manually by placing the component splits and corners on the main table. A dedicated racetrack overlay is planned in a future update.
French Roulette Odds & Payouts
The payout schedule below matches a real Monte Carlo table. Effective house edge is 1.35% on the three bets covered by La Partage and 2.70% on everything else:
| Bet Type | Description | Payout | Probability | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | Single number (including 0) | 35 to 1 | 2.70% | 2.70% |
| Split | Two adjacent numbers | 17 to 1 | 5.41% | 2.70% |
| Street | Three numbers in a row | 11 to 1 | 8.11% | 2.70% |
| Corner | Four numbers in a square | 8 to 1 | 10.81% | 2.70% |
| First Four (Basket) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | 8 to 1 | 10.81% | 2.70% |
| Six Line | Six numbers (two rows) | 5 to 1 | 16.22% | 2.70% |
| Red / Black | Color of the winning number | 1 to 1 | 48.65% | 1.35% (La Partage) |
| Odd / Even | Odd or even number | 1 to 1 | 48.65% | 1.35% (La Partage) |
| Low / High | 1–18 or 19–36 | 1 to 1 | 48.65% | 1.35% (La Partage) |
| Dozens (1–12, 13–24, 25–36) | Group of twelve | 2 to 1 | 32.43% | 2.70% |
| Columns | One of three columns | 2 to 1 | 32.43% | 2.70% |
French vs European vs American Roulette
A direct side-by-side of all three variants makes the case for French clearly:
| Feature | French Roulette | European Roulette | American Roulette |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pockets | 37 (1–36, 0) | 37 (1–36, 0) | 38 (1–36, 0, 00) |
| Green pockets | One (0 only) | One (0 only) | Two (0 and 00) |
| House edge (most bets) | 2.70% | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Edge on even-money bets | 1.35% (La Partage) | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| La Partage / En Prison | Yes | No | No |
| Red/Black win rate | 48.65% | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Cultural setting | Monte Carlo & Paris | Modern European casinos | Vegas & US casinos |
| $100 × 1000 even-money spins | ≈ $13.50 loss | ≈ $27.00 loss | ≈ $52.60 loss |
Bottom line: if you mostly play outside bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even, Low/High), French Roulette is the clear winner — you keep roughly twice as much money on 0 results compared to European, and roughly four times as much compared to American. The inside bets are the same as European (2.70%). The only reason to pick a different variant is if you specifically want a game without La Partage (classic European) or the Vegas-style double-zero layout (American).
French Roulette Strategy
Roulette is fundamentally a game of chance — no system beats the built-in house edge long-term. But classic strategies let you structure sessions and manage risk, and French Roulette's 1.35% edge on even-money bets means every progressive system performs measurably better here than on any other table game.
The Martingale System
Start with a small even-money bet. After each loss, double your bet; when you finally win, you recover all losses plus one unit. The long losing streak risk is real, but French Roulette's 48.65% win rate plus the La Partage half-refund on 0 makes Martingale the safest here of any roulette variant.
The Fibonacci System
Bet sizes follow 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13... Advance one step after a loss, move two back after a win. Slower escalation than Martingale — your bankroll lasts longer during losing streaks.
The D'Alembert System
Increase bet by one unit after a loss, decrease by one unit after a win. Linear (not exponential) escalation — the safest of the three progressive systems. Ideal for long, relaxed sessions on a French table.
Bankroll Rules
- Stick to even-money bets. Red/Black, Odd/Even, and Low/High combine the highest win rate on the table (~49%) with the lowest house edge anywhere in the casino (1.35%).
- Don't chase 0 with inside bets. La Partage does not help straight-up, splits, or dozens — those keep a 2.70% edge.
- Set a session budget and a win target. Walk away at either threshold.
- Every spin is independent. Past results do not influence the next spin.
The History of French Roulette
French Roulette's lineage ties the game to Monte Carlo, Paris, and more than 150 years of casino culture.
French Roulette Free Play vs Real Money
Free play (this page): 1,000 virtual credits, no signup, no deposit, no withdrawals. Spins use a seeded random generator that mirrors a real wheel with accurate La Partage — perfect for learning bet types, testing Martingale or Fibonacci at the 1.35% edge, or just enjoying the Monte Carlo atmosphere. Virtual credits have no monetary value.
Real-money play (at a licensed casino or online): same 37-pocket wheel, same bets, same La Partage rule. Free play is the best place to learn the bet layout, build muscle memory, and test bankroll management before ever risking real funds.
French Roulette Online vs Live Dealer
An RNG simulator like this page generates each outcome using a random generator. Spins are fast (about 5 seconds), results are instant, and the math matches a real French wheel (1.35% on even-money bets thanks to La Partage, 2.70% on everything else). It's ideal for fast-paced sessions, strategy testing, and beginners.
Live dealer French Roulette streams a physical wheel and a human croupier in real time via video feed. It feels closer to a real Monte Carlo table, but spins are slower (45–90 seconds each) and nearly every live-dealer platform requires a real-money account. Both versions use the same math — pick RNG for speed and free practice, live dealer when you want the social atmosphere with real stakes.
Why French Roulette Is Great for Beginners
- Lowest house edge of any common table game. 1.35% on even-money — lower than blackjack, craps, or any slot.
- No complex rules. Unlike blackjack, no hit/stand/split decisions. La Partage applies automatically.
- Visual and intuitive. The color-coded layout makes every bet obvious at a glance.
- Flexible risk. Start safe with 49%-win outside bets (covered by La Partage), then explore inside bets when you want bigger payouts.
- No competition. You play the wheel, not other people. No bluffing, no time pressure.
- Fast rounds. About 5 seconds per spin — immediate feedback, quick learning loops.
Other beginner-friendly games include Plinko and Dice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is French Roulette?
French Roulette is the single-zero roulette variant played in Monte Carlo and classic European casinos. It uses the same 37-pocket wheel as European Roulette but adds the La Partage rule, which refunds half of even-money bets when the ball lands on 0. That cuts the edge on Red/Black, Odd/Even, and 1-18/19-36 from 2.70% down to just 1.35% — the best odds in any common casino game.
What is the La Partage rule?
La Partage is French for "sharing". When the ball lands on 0, every even-money bet (Red/Black, Odd/Even, 1-18/19-36) loses only half its stake; the other half is returned to the player automatically. Our table applies this the moment 0 is spun — no action required.
What is the house edge for French Roulette?
1.35% on even-money bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even, 1-18/19-36) thanks to La Partage. 2.70% on every other bet — straight numbers, splits, streets, corners, dozens, columns.
Can I play French Roulette free online?
Yes. This version is completely free — no signup, no deposit, no download. You start with 1,000 virtual credits; a one-tap recharge restores your balance if you run out. Virtual credits have no monetary value.
What is the difference between French Roulette and European Roulette?
Same 37-pocket wheel, same payouts. The difference is La Partage: French refunds half of even-money bets on 0 (1.35% edge on those), European does not (flat 2.70% on every bet). If you mainly play Red/Black or Odd/Even, French is strictly better for you.
What is the En Prison rule?
An alternative to La Partage. When the ball lands on 0, your even-money bet is "imprisoned" and held for the next spin. If that spin wins, you recover your original stake (no profit). If it loses, the stake is gone. Mathematically identical to La Partage (1.35% edge on evens). Our table uses La Partage, which is more common online.
Which French Roulette bets are covered by La Partage?
Only the three even-money outside bets: Red/Black, Odd/Even, and 1-18/19-36 (Low/High). Dozens and Columns (2-to-1) and all inside bets (straight, split, street, corner, basket) are not covered — they lose normally on 0.
What is the first four bet in French Roulette?
Also called jeu de zéro or basket bet: one chip covers 0, 1, 2, and 3. Pays 8 to 1 at the standard 2.70% house edge. Unique to single-zero tables (both French and European). Not affected by La Partage.
Which French Roulette bet has the best odds?
Even-money outside bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even, Low/High) each win about 48.65% of the time and, thanks to La Partage, carry only a 1.35% house edge — the best odds on any common casino game. Straight-up numbers pay the most (35 to 1) but win only 2.70% of the time and keep the full 2.70% edge.
Can I bet on 0 in French Roulette?
Yes. Bet on 0 as a straight-up (35 to 1), as a split with 1, 2, or 3, as a three-number corner with 0/1/2 or 0/2/3, or as part of the first four (0/1/2/3). A direct bet on 0 is not an even-money bet, so La Partage does not apply — it simply wins or loses at its standard payout.
What are the Voisins, Tiers, and Orphelins call bets?
Traditional French announced bets covering groups of numbers that sit next to each other on the wheel. Voisins du Zéro covers 17 numbers near the 0; Tiers du Cylindre covers 12 opposite the 0; Orphelins covers the 8 leftover numbers. Our current version lets you recreate them manually on the main grid; a dedicated racetrack UI is planned.
Is French Roulette really random?
Yes. Each spin uses a JavaScript random number generator that gives all 37 pockets equal probability. Previous results do not influence future spins. The wheel order matches the standard single-zero sequence used in real Monte Carlo casinos.
How do I use this French Roulette simulator to practice strategy?
Start with 1,000 free virtual credits. Pick a system (Martingale, Fibonacci, D'Alembert, or your own) and run at least 100 spins using only even-money outside bets to exploit the 1.35% La Partage edge. Track your balance to see how the system behaves across winning and losing streaks — reality converges to the math.
Is online French Roulette the same as live dealer?
The math is identical — same 37-pocket wheel, same La Partage rule, same 1.35%/2.70% edges. The difference is presentation: live dealer streams a real wheel and human croupier via video, creating casino atmosphere but with slower spins (45–90s) and real-money deposits required. RNG online versions (like this one) are instant, free, and ideal for fast practice.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes. Fully optimized for iOS and Android browsers — layout adapts automatically. No app download required.
Does my balance save?
Yes. Virtual credit balance is saved in your browser's local storage and persists between sessions until you clear browser data.
Disclaimer: Virtual credits have no real-world monetary value. For entertainment only.
📖 Try European Roulette (same wheel, no La Partage, 2.70% flat)
📖 Try American Roulette (38 pockets, 0/00 wheel)
📖 Read our full Roulette for Fun guide — all bet types, odds, and strategy tips
📖 Roulette Odds, Payouts & Strategy — The Complete Cheat Sheet
