French roulette includes two special rules, La Partage and En Prison, that directly improve player odds on even-money bets. These rules do not exist in American roulette and are uncommon on standard European tables, which is why French roulette is widely considered the most player-friendly version of the game. Understanding how these rules work is essential for evaluating house edge, expected value, and long-term betting performance.
La Partage
La Partage applies only to even-money bets such as:
- Red / Black
- Odd / Even
- Low / High
If the ball lands on zero, half of the stake is automatically returned to the player. The remaining half is lost.
Example:
You wager €20 on Red.
The ball lands on 0.
You receive €10 back.
Impact on gameplay:
- Reduces the house edge on even-money bets from 2.70% to 1.35%.
- Softens the impact of rare zero outcomes.
- Creates smoother session variance.
This rule alone makes French roulette one of the most cost-efficient games for disciplined players.
En Prison
En Prison is another rule applied to even-money bets when the result is zero. Instead of losing the entire stake or receiving half back, the wager is “imprisoned” for the next spin.
How it works:
- You place an even-money bet.
- The ball lands on zero.
- Your bet stays on the table for the next round.
- If the next spin wins, your original stake is returned.
- If it loses, the stake is forfeited.
Example:
You bet €20 on Odd.
The ball hits 0 → your bet is held.
Next spin lands on 27 (Odd) → you get your €20 back.
No profit, but no loss.
Impact on gameplay:
- Reduces long-term expected loss.
- Keeps bankroll fluctuations lower on even-money strategies.
- Appeals to players seeking extended session time.
Some casinos apply La Partage, others En Prison; a few offer both depending on table settings.
Why These Rules Matter
La Partage and En Prison don’t change the outcome distribution, but they change how zero affects bankroll. Zero is the pocket that gives the casino its advantage in single-zero roulette. These rules neutralize it partially or entirely for certain bets.
Key benefits:
- Lower house edge on even-money bets
- Smoother variance
- Longer average session duration
- Improved theoretical return for long-term play
Where These Rules Apply
You will typically find them in:
- French roulette tables
- Some high-limit European roulette tables
- Select online roulette games labeled “French” or “European with La Partage”
American roulette never offers these rules due to the double zero configuration.
Practical Summary
- La Partage: Half returned on zero
- En Prison: Bet held for next spin
- Both reduce house edge and support more stable gameplay
- Exclusive to French-style rule sets
