What is French Roulette?

French roulette is a variant of the game of roulette. This variant of the game has distinct features compared to American roulette. Both games incorporate the use of a ball and a wheel with numbers on them. The idea behind both games is to wager where the ball will land on the roulette wheel. The difference between both roulette variants is not so much on the game play but in their specific characteristics.

If you've always played American roulette, you will be used to seeing green and its different hues when looking at a roulette table. French roulette will come in a different color, usually in shades of red. Nevertheless, the color of the table felt has no distinct importance to the actual game play in both roulette variants.

One of the really significant differences between French roulette and its American counterpart is the layout of the numbers on the wheel. Both roulette variants will have the pockets on the wheel for the ball to land on. Both will have these pockets in alternating colors. Some will be in black and red while others may have it in black and white. The real difference between these two roulette wheels is that the one for French roulette will have one pocket less compared to the American variety.

There is no double zero in a French roulette wheel. The absence of that double zero in a French roulette wheel is utterly significant for players. Other than having one less place for the ball to land on, French roulette has a lower house edge because of that fact. The earlier versions of roulette didn't have that double zero on the wheel. It was added to provide more advantages for a casino.

The French roulette table layout is also different from the American variant. The numbers corresponding those in the wheel will be located at the center of the table. The outside bets in this table layout will be located on the sides of the number grid where in the American variant, you'll have them on one side of the table.

Looking at the outside bets, the most obvious feature you'll find in French roulette is the French terminology on the layout. The odd or even bets are designated in French roulette as Impair and Pair respectively. Betting on the high numbers would be Passe and the low numbers would be Manque. The first, middle, and last dozen number bets are P-12, M-12, and D-12 respectively.

French roulette has many distinct features when compared to the American game variant. It has fewer pockets on the wheel giving players a better chance of winning. It also has its own unique table layout making it unique from American roulette.