French Roulette Game Explained

The exact origins of French Roulette are not available and there has always been some speculation about where this game of chance began. The earliest accounts of the “Wheel of Chance” go back to the days of early Rome, where the soldiers would play games of chance on the spinning wheel of their chariots. Some believe that in the mid 16th century, French scientist Blaise Pascal came up with the idea and thus should be credited with its creation. Others believe the game originated in China.

These have just been rumors and there is no way to verify them, but what can be substantiated is that in 1842, Francois and Louis Blanc came up with the single zero Roulette game that was eventually imported to America where it was initially rejected for the more popular double 0 which gained the name, American Roulette. Whatever the origins, Roulette has been played for centuries and continues to grow in popularity. Roulette is a simple game that is played quickly and the outcome is definitive, whoever has made a bet where the balls come to rest is the winner.

French Roulette has been until recently only found in Europe and South American casinos. Having one less zero than American Roulette gives the player better odds and because of this, American casinos have opted to stay with the game that gives the house the bigger edge. The object of the game remains the same as with all Roulette games, to place a bet on the number that you think the ball will land on.

There are 37 numbered slots including a green slot for the zero. All the other slots are red and black alternating numbered slots. The Croupier spins the wheel and then rolls the ball along the rim of the wheel in the opposite direction. When the wheel stops, the ball comes to rest in one of the slots, and the player who has bet on that number is the winner and is paid. The players all have different colored chips to help the croupier tell their bets apart.

French Roulette payout table – Inside Bets:

• Straight up / En plein – 35:1
• Split Bet / Cheval – 17:1
• Street Bet / Transversale – 11:1
• Corner / Carre – 8:1
• Line Bet / Sixainne 5:1
• French Roulette payout table – Outside Bets
• Column / Colonne – 2:1
• Dozen / Douzaine – 2:1
• Red or Black / Rouge or Noir – 1:1
• Even or Odd / Pair or Impair / 1:1
• Low or High / Manque or Passe 1:1

French Roulette: the ‘la partage’ Rule

This rule states that when the ball lands on the zero, the player will only lose half his bet on outside bets. This is only offered on Roulette tables with a single zero.