11 Mar 2025
French roulette is one of the most popular variations of roulette worldwide. Its origins are one of casino history’s great mysteries, with some suggesting that the initial versions of the roulette wheel were created by accident.
In this blog about French roulette history, Genting Casino is going to explore all of this, as well as highlighting key differences that make French Roulette such a popular option for online casino players.
When was French Roulette founded?
The exact origins of roulette are not certain, but it is widely believed that it was first created by accident. Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, accidentally created it while trying to create a perpetual motion machine.
The French use the diminutive -ette appendix to indicate a smaller form of something else. While roule means wheel in French, roulette is literally “small/little wheel”. The so-called little wheel was not used for gaming initially. It wasn’t until the wheel was combined with an Italian game called Biribi (or cavagnole in France) that something closer to the game we know now as roulette was created.
Roulette has been a part of Parisian history since the 1790s. In the novel La Roulette, ou le Jour by Jacques Lablee, the author describes a roulette wheel at the Palais Royal. He notably mentions “two betting spaces containing the bank's two numbers, zero and double zero, " a characteristic that, in the modern day, is typically associated with American roulette. During this period, they used red for the single zero and black for the double zero.
In the 19th Century, the game began gaining wider popularity as it found a place in gambling circles across Europe. One significant event was the founding of the first casino in Monte Carlo in 1863. Roulette became a staple game in the ornate venue, which helped to cement its status in the gambling world. Over time, this French version of the game evolved, adapted, and changed, which is probably how the wheel lost its double-zero pocket. However, it quickly spread to the United States, where it was the dominant version of the game until they reincorporated, and American roulette was born.
How Does French Roulette Differ from Other Versions?
French roulette shares many similarities with the European and American versions of the game. However, some small features set it apart. These differences change the house edge, influencing the gameplay and making it a more unique betting experience.
Wheel Design
While European and French roulette wheels have 37 pockets, the American wheel has 38 due to the additional pocket for the double zero. Fewer pockets on the French and European wheels mean better odds for players as the house edge is reduced.
The wheels do not vary whether you are playing online roulette or roulette at a physical casino location.
Layout and Betting Options
French roulette betting options are split into inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets are placed on individual numbers or small groups of numbers. Outside bets involve much larger groupings of numbers, such as half the table rather than just a collection of four numbers. Inside bets have higher odds than outside bets.
The inside bets primarily speak for themselves. The single bet is the original and purest roulette bet that involves wagering on which number will come up. Other examples, like the split bet, street bet, corner bet, and the line bet, are natural and intuitive evolutions of the simple straight bet.
The outside bets are more groups or ranges of numbers, but they are equally as evident to even the earliest roulette player. They are safer bets than most inside betting options, which helped them become popular among casual and conservative players.
The betting options that set French roulette apart from other forms are the call bets or announced bets, also known as the French bets. These are:
- Voisins du Zero—This translates as "neighbours to zero" and involves wagering on the numbers between 22 and 25 on the wheel.
- Le Tiers du Cylindre- This translates to “third of the wheel,” but it specifically means the twelve numbers from 27 to 33 on the wheel.
- Orphelins - The word means orphans, and it refers to the eight numbers that do not fall into the previous two categories.
Additional Rules
Another key difference between French and European roulette lies in the La Partage and En prison rules, which are unique to French roulette:
- La Partage Rule - If the ball lands on zero, players who placed outside bets receive half of their wager back.
- En Prison Rule - If the ball lands on zero, players who placed even outside bets can leave their wager "in prison" for the next spin. If they win the next spin, they regain their full bet.
Both rules lower the house edge and help to make French roulette the most favourable to players.
Where can I play French Roulette?
French roulette is a popular game at physical casinos and safe online casinos. Many online casinos offer virtual RNG versions of roulette as well as live roulette. The top online casinos in the UK have fully immersive versions of roulette with live dealers. These immersive options allow players to interact with professional croupiers, replicating the experience of playing at a land-based casino. You will find various versions of roulette at top online casinos in the UK, including the player-friendly French roulette.
French Roulette FAQs
How do you win in French roulette?
At the beginning of a French roulette game, players stake bets on where they think the ball will land on a roulette wheel. If it lands there, it will be paid out.
Can I play French Roulette online for free?
Yes. You can test out the virtual version of French roulette for free. You will need to be registered with an online casino to play.
Can I play French roulette on my mobile?
Absolutely. Thanks to the wonders of many online technologies, you can play French roulette on a wide range of mobile devices.
