Online Betting
Live French Roulette Review: Rules, La Partage & Best SA Casinos
While standard American roulette has a house edge of over 5%, French roulette cuts that down to just 1.35%. In this review, I touch on why this version is a favourite amongst my fellow Mzansi players, how the famous La Partage rule puts money back in your pocket, and how the French layout works.
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Live French Roulette Review
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What is Live French Roulette?
Live French Roulette is similar to European Roulette in that it uses the same 37-pocket wheel (0 to 36). There are three main differentiating factors:
- The Layout: It uses traditional French terminology like Manque/Passe instead of 1-18/19-36.
- Special Rules: Unique rules like La Partage or En Prison come into play, which specifically protect you if you place even-money bets.
- Call Bets: A racetrack is used for advanced announced bets based on specific sectors of the wheel.
The specifics of the game can vary depending on the provider. For example, most Evolution tables use La Partage, while some rare Playtech variants might offer En Prison. You can check the exact rules in the game info once you’re seated.
Best Live French Roulette Casinos for South Africa
Key Features
- Support:
- Licenses: South Africa, UK
This top online casino provides one of the few dedicated Playtech French Roulette tables in the country. The stream is highly optimised for low-bandwidth areas, which is a major plus if you are playing on mobile data rather than fibre.
Bets start with as little as R5 (even R1 on other tables), making it perfect for testing out the French "Call Bets" without blowing my budget.
When you sign up, you get the standard R25 sign-up bonus plus 50 free spins, which is a nice way to explore the lobby without making a deposit at first.
There’s a dedicated mobile betting app, available on iOS and Android devices through the App Store or Play Store, and they each offer instant deposits via the relevant mobile wallet, like Apple Pay or Samsung Pay.
They shine most in the withdrawal department, though, with plenty of familiar options like FNB eWallet or Standard Bank Instant Money.
Pros
Cons
No deposit required, open an account and receive an R25 sign-up bonus and 50 Free Spins, within 24 hours of registration wager bonus amount once on sports bets with odds of 5/10 (0.5) or higher, Before withdrawal wager any winnings from Free Spins 5x on the same slots.
Key Features
- Support:
- Licenses: South Africa
This South African betting site hosts Evolution's French Roulette Gold, which is, in my opinion, the most prestigious live table available. The dealers are top-tier, and the UI for placing announced bets like 'Tiers' or 'Voisins' is perfectly integrated.
WSB even supports responsible bankroll management with its Club Prive loyalty program, where you earn World Coins for every spin, which can be converted back into betting credit.
Their sign-up offer is valued at 100% up to R20,000 on your first deposit, making it one of the biggest welcome offers available in SA (amongst others like Goldrush).
The dedicated app is solid and focuses heavily on functionality. It handles the high-definition Evolution stream well, but I’ve found it’s a little heavier on data than Hollywoodbets, so I prefer to only play here when I’m on Wi-Fi – mostly because they’ve got a massive variety and the payouts are highly reliable.
Pros
Cons
#ad · 18+ · New customers only · South Africa residents only · Min deposit R50 · Max bonus R20,000 · Bonus 100% match · Bonus valid 30 days · Wager 5x bonus amount · Min odds 1.5 apply · No system/multi bets count · Withdraw after wagering met · One bonus per user · ID verification required · T&Cs apply
French Roulette Rules That Matter (La Partage + En Prison)
These rules reduce the house edge on even-money bets (red/black, even/odd, high/low) from 2.7% down to 1.35%. Here’s how they work:
La Partage
This rule is what makes French roulette what it is. If you place an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero, you don’t lose your entire stake. Instead, half of your bet is returned to you instantly.
If you were to bet R100 on Red and the ball lands on 0, you would lose the full amount in European roulette. In French Roulette with La Partage, you’d get R50 back.
En Prison
En Prison acts as a second chance. If the ball lands on 0, your bet is held (or "imprisoned") for the next spin. If your bet wins on that next spin, you can get your original stake back in full without profit, but the money is then lost if it loses.
How to Play Live French Roulette (Step-by-step)
- 1
Find a reputable online casino like Hollywoodbets and create an account.
Find a reputable online casino like Hollywoodbets!
- 2
Provide your basic info and complete the FICA verification process that follows.
Provide your basic info and complete the FICA verification
- 3
Click the “Deposit” button in the top right corner of your screen and pick an amount that’s eligible for the Welcome Bonus.
Click the “Deposit” button in the top right corner
- 4
Open the Live Tables lobby and search for French Roulette. Note: multiple providers may offer the game.
Open the Live Tables lobby and search for French Roulette
- 5
Drag chips onto the table to place your bet. Stick to the outside even-money bets for the best odds
Drag chips onto the table to place your bet
- 6
3. If you have an active even-money bet and the ball hits 0, your 50% La Partage will be credited automatically.
If you have an active even-money bet and the ball hits 0
Bets, Call Bets & Table Layout (French Terms)
The French layout uses French terms for the original English bets, but the logic behind each of them isn’t any different. Outside bets like Rouge/Noir (red/black) and Pair/Impair (even/odd) still pay even money 1:1.
Manque covers low numbers (1–18), and Passe covers high numbers (19–36). For the dozens, look forP12 (1st 12), M12 (2nd 12), and D12 (3rd 12).
You can also use the racetrack to place call bets that cover entire sectors of the wheel with one click if you want to kick it up a notch:
- Voisins du Zéro refers to Neighbours of Zero: Covers 17 numbers near the zero using 9 chips.
- Le Tiers du Cylindre refers to the Third of the Wheel: Covers the 12 numbers opposite zero using 6 chips.
- Orphelins refers to Orphans: Covers the 8 remaining numbers using 5 chips.
- Jeu Zéro refers to Zero Game: A smaller bet covering only the 7 numbers closest to zero using 4 chips.
RTP, House Edge & Payouts
French Roulette tables use a single-zero wheel with 37 pockets, unlike American roulette with a double zero. Your odds of hitting a specific number are 1 in 37 rather than 1 in 38 in the French version, which lowers the house edge (the advantage the casino has over you).
The house edge is 2.7% on a standard European wheel, but it drops to 1.35% for even-money bets because La Partage gives you half your money back if the ball hits zero.
This is actually the lowest house edge on any live roulette variation and, in turn, offers the best long-term returns with an RTP of 98.65%.
Bet Type | French Term | Payout |
Straight Up | En Plein | 35:1 |
Split | Cheval | 17:1 |
Street | Transversale | 11:1 |
Corner | Carré | 8:1 |
Dozen / Column | Douzaine / Colonne | 2:1 |
Red / Black | Rouge / Noir | 1:1 |
Even / Odd | Pair / Impair | 1:1 |
Low (1–18) / High (19–36) | Manque / Passe | 1:1 |
Live French Roulette vs European Roulette vs American Roulette
SA bookmakers like Hollywoodbets and World Sports Betting offer live roulette with three different wheels, and each of them changes up the odds with unique rules or side bets. Here’s how they work:
- American Roulette: Best avoided, this version features a double zero (0 and 00) – an extra green pocket that increases the total outcomes to 38 and, in turn, hikes up the house edge to 5.26%. So, your bankroll is at higher risk, but your winning potential remains the same.
- European Roulette: This is probably the most common version in SA. It uses a single-zero wheel with 37 pockets, which immediately halves the house edge to 2.7%. It’s ideal if you want fair odds without complex rules.
- French Roulette: While this version uses the same single-zero wheel as the European, the La Partage rule slashes the house edge even further to 1.35%. This makes the game a solid pick for players who want solid long-term returns.
Strategy & Playing Tips (Responsible)
French Roulette is an excellent pick if you like the Martingale or D'Alembert betting approach because its rules are built for even-money bets. You just need to stay disciplined, and here’s how:
- Set a limit of around R20 per round if you have R1,000, so you can ride out a cold streak without eating through your cash in minutes.
- Live tables move fast, so it’s easy to get carried away with rushed bets as you try to keep up with the timer. Rather, take advantage of the lobby view to skip a few spins and reset your focus.
- Set a session limit and be disciplined enough to walk away if you hit it. I know it’s tempting to increase your stakes to "win back" your losses, but it’s the fastest way to max out your bankroll.
Ultimately, no strategy can change the house edge. These tips are about staying in control and maximising entertainment.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Offers the lowest house edge (1.35%) for all even-money roulette bets
The La Partage rule provides a 50% refund on zero
The racetrack layout simplifies complex sector bets like Voisins du Zéro
Cons
French terminology can be confusing for players used to English tables
The lower house edge only applies to even-money bets
SportsBoom Suggests
If you enjoy betting on colours or columns, playing any other version but Live French Roulette is like giving money away. I suggest you check out Hollywoodbets’ mobile app if you prefer playing on your phone or 1Win if you want the flexibility of smaller R1 stakes.
Remember to only play with what you can afford to lose. Please contact 0800 006 008 if you need help.
FAQs
Yes, the En Prison rule only applies to even-money bets – specifically red/black, even/odd, and high/low
Yes, the long-term returns are far greater in French Roulette (1.35% HE) versus European Roulette (2.7% HE).
Yes. Most providers have made the game fully compatible with Android and iOS, regardless of whether you’re playing on your mobile browser or the casino’s dedicated betting apps.
No. Licensed SA casinos use physical wheels and are monitored by provincial gaming boards to ensure total randomness.
French Roulette uses a single-zero wheel and returns half your stake on a zero. American Roulette adds a double zero (00) pocket, which doubles the house edge and ultimately, your losing chances.
Shannon Hundermark is an iGaming and sports writer focused on creating genuinely valuable content. Published on Business2Community and Gamblingsites.com, Shannon draws on personal experience to deliver objective, well-researched reviews and guides, with the intention of helping real players worldwide make informed decisions.