About Online French Roulette
| Genre | Casino Table Game |
|---|---|
| Volatility | Low |
| House Edge | 1.35% |
| RTP | 97.30% |
| Min/Max Bet | $0.10/$100 |
| Platforms | Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS |
| Technology | HTML5 |
French Roulette is one of the most classic and player-friendly free roulette games you’ll find on CoolOldGames.com in general. It uses the familiar European single-zero wheel, and everything appears similar at first glance, except that the rules are more favorable to players.
When the ball lands on zero, special rules like La Partage and En Prison mean you don’t always lose your full even-money bet. This gives you a clear mathematical advantage over the casino when compared to European Roulette and, especially, its American counterpart. The downside is that, due to these player-favorable rules, French Roulette is not widely available, particularly in US casinos where American Roulette is much more common.
The good news is that you can play French Roulette online for free with no download required right here at Cool Old Games. Keep reading to learn how the game works and how you can start playing today.
French Roulette Rules & Gameplay Basics
French Roulette follows the same basic principle as other roulette variations: predict where the ball will land on the spinning wheel. However, its special rules and betting options give it a unique character that rewards strategic players.
Objective of the Game
The goal in French Roulette is simple: predict where the ball will land on the spinning roulette wheel and place bets accordingly.
The Wheel & Layout
- Numbers 0–36
- Red and black numbers, plus one green 0
- Single-zero wheel (no double zero)
How the Game Works
- Players place bets on the table before the wheel spins
- The dealer spins the wheel and drops the ball
- The ball lands on a number
- Winning bets are paid according to the payout table
Key French Roulette Rules
What makes French Roulette special are these two rules, applied to even-money bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low):
- La Partage: When the ball lands on zero, players with even-money bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low) lose only half their stake instead of the entire bet. This reduces the house edge on these bets from 2.7% to just 1.35%.
- En Prison: Your bet is “imprisoned” and carried over to the next spin. If you win the next spin, you get your bet back. If you lose, the bet is lost.
These rules reduce the house edge on even-money bets to just 1.35%, one of the lowest in casino gaming, essentially giving you a second chance.
Betting Options and Payouts
French roulette offers three main types of bets: inside bets, outside bets, and racetrack bets. Each has different coverage and payouts.
Inside Bets
Inside bets are placed directly on the numbered grid. They cover fewer numbers and offer higher payouts, however, they are riskier.
| Bet Type | Numbers Covered | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | 1 number (including 0) | 35:1 |
| Split | 2 adjacent numbers | 17:1 |
| Street | 3 numbers in a horizontal line | 11:1 |
| Corner | 4 numbers forming a square | 8:1 |
| Six Line | 6 numbers (2x adjacent rows) | 5:1 |
Outside Bets: Even-Money
Even-money outside bets cover large groups of numbers and pay 1:1. These bets benefit from special zero rules (La Partage or En Prison), which we explained above.
| Bet Type | French Name | Numbers Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Rouge | Red numbers |
| Black | Noir | Black numbers |
| Even | Pair | Even numbers |
| Odd | Impair | Odd numbers |
| Low | Manque | 1–18 |
| High | Passe | 19–36 |
Outside Bets: Group Bets
These are outside bets that cover a total of 12 numbers at a time. Their payout is 2:1.
| Bet Type | French Name | Numbers Covered |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Dozen (D12) | Première Douzaine | 1–12 |
| 2nd Dozen (M12) | Moyenne Douzaine | 13–24 |
| 3rd Dozen (P12) | Dernière Douzaine | 25–36 |
| Column 1 | Colonne 1 | 12 numbers |
| Column 2 | Colonne 2 | 12 numbers |
| Column 3 | Colonne 3 | 12 numbers |
Racetrack Bets
Racetrack bets follow the order of numbers on the wheel and combine multiple inside bets into one. Payouts are based on the individual inside bets that make up the bet.
| Racetrack Bet | Numbers Covered | Chips Used | Bet Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voisins du Zéro | 17 | 9 chips | Splits + straight |
| Tiers du Cylindre | 12 | 6 chips | Splits |
| Orphelins | 8 | 5 chips | Splits + straight |
| Orphelins en Plein | 8 | 8 chips | Straights |
How to Play French Roulette Online
Getting started with playing online French Roulette is simple. Follow these steps to begin your practice sessions and develop your skills without risking anything.
Step 1: Learn the Game Rules First
Before you place your first bet, take some time to understand how French Roulette works. If you’ve played roulette before, most of it will feel familiar, but the French rules on zero are what differ from other variants. Review the rules above, open the in-game help, or click on the information (“i”) icon in the game.
From our experience, knowing these details upfront helps you make better betting decisions and avoid common beginner mistakes.
Step 2: Play French Roulette for Free at CoolOldGames.com
Our simulator offers a realistic French Roulette experience with no download required. Simply load the game in your browser, accept cookies, and you’ll have access to a very realistic 3D roulette game. To get started:
- Choose “Play Demo” to start the game
- We recommend enabling our full-screen mode, as this game has a lot of options
- Start playing by choosing your bet and click “Spin”
- If you make a mistake, you can press “Undo” to go through your history (keep in mind this won’t be possible in a real casino game)
- Make use of in-game features, such as the option to double your bet, by pressing “Double” or “Auto Spin” if you want to speed up your games
Step 3: Apply Simple French Roulette Strategies
You’ll really get the most out of playing French Roulette when you keep things simple. In order to play smarter, follow these easy strategies:
- Focus on even-money bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low) to take advantage of La Partage or En Prison
- Avoid loading up on high-risk inside bets if you’re planning longer sessions
- Set a clear session limit, even in free play, to build good habits early
Step 4: Play at an Online Casino
Once you feel confident with the rules and flow of the game, you could consider trying the real thing at an online casino. To do that, follow these simple steps:
- Choose a reputable online casino that offers French Roulette (not all do)
- Click Sign Up and complete the registration
- Verify your account and make a deposit
- Set a budget for your gameplay
- Find the game in the Live Casino or Table Games section
French Roulette isn’t available everywhere, but when you do find it, it’s often one of the best roulette options thanks to its low house edge, especially compared to American Roulette. Some known software providers of the game are Evolution Gaming, Playtech, BGaming, and Red Rake.
Just remember, you must meet the minimum age to play, which is usually 18 or 21 in the United States. Availability will depend on your location.
In-Game Options & Settings
The French Roulette simulator offers several customization options to enhance your experience. In our opinion, these settings can help you to create your ideal playing environment.
Favorite Bets
A handy feature of the free game is the ability to save and load up to five favorite bets. Simply hold one of the buttons for two seconds to save your current bet setup. Any existing bets in that slot will be overwritten. Tap the button once to load the saved bets back onto the table.
Do note that if you access the game from a different device or browser, or if your cookies are cleared, you’ll need to save your favorite bets again.
Rebet Options
When playing on our simulator, you can choose to play the same bets again and spin the wheel by pressing “Rebet and Spin”.
Additionally, you can select “Rebet” to place the previous bets on the table. When choosing this option, you will be able to modify your bets before spinning the roulette wheel.
Auto Spin
If you like faster spins, you can speed things up by selecting “Auto Spin”. If you prefer a calmer, more traditional experience, slow it down. These options help you play at your own pace.
If you do choose auto spin, it will perform a number of spins automatically. All of the spins will be played with the same bet that is on the table, and then can be stopped at any time by pushing the button again.
Ready to Play French Roulette for Free?
At Cool Old Games, we’re proud to offer a premium French Roulette simulator that lets you experience all the sophistication and strategic depth of this game completely free.
Our no-download, instant-play platform works on any device, allowing you to practice whenever and wherever you want. It even records some statistics such as hot and cold numbers, which is a nice extra.
Feel like spinning yet? Just scroll or swipe up and start practicing the game without pressure!
Responsible Gaming Disclaimer
The French Roulette simulator on this page is designed for entertainment and practice only. On Cool Old Games, you’ll only play with virtual chips that have no real-world value.
If you choose to play casino games, always remember to:
- Set strict time and money limits before you start
- Never chase losses or bet more than you can afford to lose
- Understand that even with French Roulette’s favorable odds, the house still has an edge.
- Treat gambling as entertainment, not as a way to make money
- Be aware of the signs of problem gambling and seek help if needed
