With the basic form of the game coming from 18th century France, French roulette is undoubtedly still one of the best versions of the popular casino game to date. It's also well known as the version of roulette that has one of the highest average RTPs.
This page will cover what French roulette is, how it differs from similar variants such as European and American roulette, and some basics on how to play.
We will also cover popular strategies and provide a few mini-reviews of NJ online casino gambling websites that have the game in their library.
Full T&Cs Apply. New players only. To be eligible players must be 21 years or older and playing within the state of New Jersey. $10 minimum deposit required. Players must wager the bonus amount 10x on all slot games.
Full T&Cs Apply. New players only. To be eligible players must be 21 years or older and playing within the state of New Jersey. $10 minimum deposit required. Players must wager the bonus amount 15x on all games.
Full T&Cs Apply. To be eligible, players must be at least 21 years old, playing within the state of New Jersey. Players must make a single deposit of $10. The bonus money has a 30x wagering requirement.
What Is French Roulette and How to Play It
The French roulette game started in 18th century France. It is believed that the idea for the game was derived from scientist Blaise Pascals' wheel contraption, which he designed during his quest to create a perpetual motion machine that would create endless energy.
While we know Pascal didn't go on to create his machine, the energy found around the roulette table across casinos across the world is electrifying, perhaps none more so than the French roulette table.
French roulette is home to just one green zero slot, in contrast to the American tables' two. That's a massive reduction in house edge, which is excellent for the player. But how is it played?
Getting Started with French Roulette
For many, the French table will be played in a very similar manner to both European and American roulette, albeit with more frequent wins on average, thanks to that single zero slot. If you can't find French roulette, look for NJ European roulette sites, as European roulette also has just one zero slot.
There are also a couple of special rules that we will touch on in the next section, but they aren't present on all French roulette tables, especially online.
Here's how the game usually plays:
1
Slightly Different Layout
The French table is different from its American counterpart. Even though the standard bets are basically the same, the layout could differ depending on the title.
A French table could also use French words, such as 'impair/pair' instead of odds and evens. Highlighting a particular bet should show you which numbers you're selecting. It all adds to the experience!
2
Place Your Bets
You can place any standard roulette bets or choose one of the unique French bets discussed in the section below. You can place as many bets as you wish, just make sure none of them cancel each other out.
With French roulette, such bets as Red, Black, Odds, and Evens give a merely 50/50 chance of winning, so they might be the safest options on the board.
3
Spin the Wheel
This part is easy, just click spin and cheer for the ball to land on a number you have selected. Some games have a turbo feature if you're feeling impatient, or you can usually click to complete the spin instantly. Although it steals from the thrill of intrigue, some players prefer saving their time, and online casinos work great for that.
4
Collect Your Winnings
If you win, your cash will be instantly credited into your balance.
5
Consider Your Next Move
Depending on the game, you can usually re-bet your last bet, double up, or completely clear the table. Some titles also include a handy stats panel to let you know what numbers have been coming up. Playing responsibly and knowing your limits may greatly enhance your general roulette experience.
Rules, Odds, and Bets of French Roulette
Fundamentally, the rules of French roulette are the same as American and European roulette, with the exception of the additional double zero in American roulette and two important rules that some French roulette games adopt.
Let's look at how these two rules can change the game for the players' benefit:
Important Rules – En Prison and La Partage
First of all, it's important to note that these two rules are not in force in all French roulette casino titles. While in casinos in France, one of the two rules is common, each casino and table is responsible for deciding the rules, so check the information panel on the title you're playing online to double-check.
The following rules occur when the ball lands on zero, which in European and American roulette means any even-money bets such as red or black would lose. However, that's not the case in French roulette.
En Prison
This rule means that an even-money bet that would be lost will remain on the table “in prison” until the next spin, in which case, if it wins that bet, it is returned to the player.
La Partage
La Partage means any even-money bet lost to the green is split 50/50 between the dealer and the player, resulting in only half a loss.
Player Odds
Typically, the general odds of roulette are dictated by how many zeros the wheel has. Since French roulette has one, the house edge is reduced by half! That's a huge bonus just for choosing the right game.
Furthermore, as mentioned above, if either of the 'en prison' or 'la partage' rules are in place, the house edge is further slashed in half again, meaning players are vastly better off playing French roulette than American roulette in basically every scenario!
Payouts
Payouts vary with each bet, but not all bets are created equal. For example, a split bet that pays 17:1 has more house edge than a straight bet, which pays 35:1, and the straight bet has more house edge than a Red/Black bet, which pays 1:1.
Here is a paytable for some popular bets:
Even/Odd pays 1:1;
Manque (1-18) and Passe (19-36) pays 1:1;
Red/Black pays 1:1;
Three Line (Street) pays 11:1;
Corners pay 8:1;
Splits pay 17:1;
Straight (single number) pays 35:1;
French Roulette Tips and Strategies to Win
Getting ready to play French Roulette in New Jersey is relatively easy once you get the hang of all the bets, but still, you can employ some strategies that may give your session a slight edge. Don't forget you can usually play in demo mode before gambling real money.
One such strategy that is very much prevalent in today's casinos is the Martingale system, theorized by French Mathematician Paul Levy in the 18th century. It goes like this:
You make a bet, usually close to the table minimum;
If you win, bet that amount again;
If you lose, double your stake;
Keep doubling your stake on losses until you win;
When you win, go back to the original stake.
This system is a failsafe against losses but runs the risk of causing significant losses if you are severely unlucky and lose many times in a row.
Remember: Your maximum number of losses in a row is dictated by how small your original bet is and how high the table's maximum is.
French Roulette Tips and Advice
Winning at any type of roulette involves a lot of luck and decent game knowledge, so it's a great option for both inexperienced and well-seasoned players. However, some specific advice can be utilized:
1
Bets can cancel each other
Don't make bets that cancel each other out, like betting on both Red and Black. The casino will let you run the bet, and you still have the chance of hitting zero.
2
Split bets have greater house edge
Straight bets, which are single numbers, and split bets, which are split between two numbers, offer the house a greater house edge over even money bets.
3
Know your rules
Check the table rules! Every online French roulette table dictates its own rules about what happens when you land on zero, such as en prison or la partage.
4
Play free demos
Playing for free first to learn the rules and bets is a great idea. Although French roulette is more of a game of luck, it still requires your undivided attention and knowledge.
NJ Online Casinos to Play French Roulette for Real Money
If you're excited to play some French roulette, you'll be happy to know many New Jersey operators carry the game, so you shouldn't have to look far to find the action! While American roulette has the highest house edge, popular NJ American roulette casinos often carry exciting variants of the game, such as Lightning Roulette, and many carry both.
A strong name in the online casino scene, Caesars casino is home to 10 roulette titles, including French Roulette by NetEnt. Roulette fans will also find 100/1 Roulette, 100/1 Roulette, Blazing 7's Roulette, and live roulette. Don't forget to check the catalog of NJ online slot machines because rarely can you find such a huge list of popular titles.
Getting started with Caesars is easy, with a 100% deposit match on your first deposit up to $500, which carries wagering requirements of just 4x. Slots contribute 100% to the requirement, whereas table games such as French roulette will count for 20%. That's actually a really competitive wagering requirement!
Golden Nugget
4/5
100% Up to $1,000 + 200 Free Spins
Golden Nugget's roulette collection consists of 13 titles, including American, European, and French roulette, three types of live roulette, and a few interesting variants such as Roulette Advanced.
New players over at Golden Nugget can get a 100% deposit match of up to $1,000 with reasonable wagering requirements of 10x, for which slots count for 100% and table games such as French roulette contribute 25%.
BetMGM
4.8/5
100% Up to $1,000 + $25 FREEPLAY®
As a big name in New Jersey, BetMGM has 24 roulette titles to choose from, with tons of variants, including exclusive New York Jets and Philadelphia 76ers roulette and, of course, French roulette. If that's not enough, among the selection of the best live NJ roulette titles, there are tons of other titles, including table games such as blackjack, craps, and baccarat.
New players can grab a 100%, $1,000 first deposit match along with a no-deposit bonus of $25. The deposit match comes with wagering requirements of 15x, while the $25 bonus must only be played through once.
FAQ
Can I play French Roulette in New Jersey online casinos?
Absolutely! French roulette is a popular variant of the widely-loved casino staple, and multiple NJ casinos have at least one French roulette game in their category. If you're curious, this page lists NJ casinos that have French Roulette by NetEnt, along with their assorted new player bonuses!
What's the difference between French and American roulette?
On a basic level, the French roulette wheel only has one green zero, while the American wheel has a green zero and a green double zero, effectively doubling your chance to lose your whole bet to the green. Similarly, the single number bet only returns the same 35-1 despite having 38 slots on an American wheel versus the 37 slots on a French wheel.
What are the safest bets in French Roulette?
Standard bets that have the highest chance of a win are the even money bets, which are the bets that will return double your stake. These bets are Red, Black, Odds (impair), and Evens (pair). These bets are some of the most common on the table as they give an almost 50/50 chance of a win unless the ball lands on zero.
