Even-money bets are the simplest wagers on a roulette table: red or black, odd or even, and the low or high half of the numbers. Each pays 1:1, meaning a winning $10 bet returns your $10 plus $10 profit. They are the most popular starting point for new players because the outcome is easy to grasp and the payout is straightforward. What many players do not realise is that a single table rule — La Partage — can cut the built-in house advantage on these bets in half. This guide explains exactly what even-money bets are, what your real chances of winning are, and how La Partage (and the related En Prison rule) changes the maths in your favour.
Quick Facts
- What they are: bets that pay 1:1 (win the same amount you stake).
- The six bets: Red, Black, Odd, Even, 1–18, 19–36.
- Win chance: 48.65% on single-zero (European/French), 47.37% on double-zero (American).
- Base house edge: 2.70% (European) / 5.26% (American).
- With La Partage: 1.35% on even-money bets (RTP 98.65%).
- When La Partage applies: only to even-money bets, and only when the ball lands on zero.
What Are Even-Money Bets in Roulette?
An even-money bet is any wager that pays 1:1 — you win the same amount you staked. On a standard roulette layout there are three pairs of these bets, each covering 18 of the numbered pockets:
- Red or Black — the colour of the winning number.
- Odd or Even — whether the winning number is odd or even.
- 1–18 or 19–36 — the low half or the high half of the numbers.
These are called outside bets because the betting boxes sit around the outside of the number grid. They are the opposite of inside bets (single numbers, splits, corners), which cover fewer numbers but pay much more. Even-money bets give you the highest chance of winning any single spin, in exchange for the smallest payout. If you are new to the table layout, our how to play roulette walkthrough shows where each bet sits.
The French names for the same bets
On a French roulette table the labels are in French, but the bets are identical. It helps to recognise them:
- Rouge / Noir – Red / Black.
- Pair / Impair – Even / Odd.
- Manque / Passe – 1–18 (“missed”) / 19–36 (“passed”).
The Real Odds Behind Even-Money Bets
It is tempting to think of red/black as a coin flip, but it is not quite 50/50. The reason is the green zero pockets, which belong to neither colour, neither odd nor even, and neither the low nor high group. When the ball lands on zero, every even-money bet normally loses — and that is where the house edge comes from.
- European / French roulette (single zero): 18 winning pockets out of 37, so your chance of winning an even-money bet is 48.65%. The house edge is 2.70%.
- American roulette (double zero, 0 and 00): 18 winning pockets out of 38, a win chance of 47.37%. The extra pocket pushes the house edge up to 5.26%.
The house edge is the long-run percentage of every bet the casino keeps on average. A 2.70% edge means that, over time, you can expect to lose about $2.70 of every $100 wagered — not on any single spin, but averaged across thousands of them. This is why, before any special rules, the single-zero wheel is always better value for the player than the double-zero one.
How the La Partage Rule Changes Even-Money Bets
La partage is French for “the divide,” and that is exactly what it does. On a French roulette table with this rule, when the ball lands on zero and you have an even-money bet on the layout, you do not lose the whole stake — you get half of it back. The other half goes to the house.
That single change roughly halves the damage the zero does to your even-money bets. Instead of losing 100% of the stake when zero hits, you lose only 50%, and the house edge on those bets drops from 2.70% to 1.35%. In return-to-player terms that is an RTP of 98.65% on even-money bets — among the best odds you will find on any casino table game.
Comparison
| Roulette version | Zeros | Even-money win chance | Even-money house edge | Even-money RTP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American | 0 and 00 | 47.37% | 5.26% | 94.74% |
| European | single 0 | 48.65% | 2.70% | 97.30% |
| French with La Partage / En Prison | single 0 | 48.65% (half stake back on zero) | 1.35% | 98.65% |
Two important limits are worth stressing:
- La Partage applies only to even-money bets. Inside bets such as straight-up numbers, splits and corners still lose in full when zero lands, so their house edge stays at 2.70%.
- A wheel being “European” is not enough. A single-zero table only gives the reduced 1.35% edge if it actually offers La Partage or En Prison — otherwise the even-money edge remains 2.70%.
La Partage vs En Prison
La Partage has a close relative called En Prison (“in prison”). Both are triggered by the ball landing on zero, both apply only to even-money bets, and both leave the long-run house edge at about 1.35%. The difference is how they resolve the bet.
- La Partage: the outcome is immediate. Half your stake is returned right away and the round is over. Faster and simpler.
- En Prison: the outcome is delayed. Your whole stake is “imprisoned” and stays on the same bet for one more spin. If that next spin wins, you get your original stake back (with no extra winnings); if it loses, the stake is gone.
La Partage is more common, especially online, because it is quicker and easier to understand. Some tables let the player choose between the two, but the mathematical value is essentially the same either way.
Where to Find La Partage in Canada
La Partage is a feature of French roulette, so the first thing to look for is a table labelled “French Roulette” rather than “European” or “American.” Some online roulette guide resources and casino lobbies also add La Partage to European-style tables, in which case the rule is usually named in the game rules or paytable.
Practical checks before you play:
- Open the game’s rules or information screen and confirm La Partage or En Prison is listed for even-money bets.
- Confirm the wheel has a single zero. A double-zero (American) wheel does not offer these rules.
- Look at the stated RTP: even-money bets under La Partage should show around 98.65%.
Availability varies by province and by operator, so the exact tables you can access depend on where you are and which regulated site you use.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
- Treating even-money bets as 50/50. The zero (and the second zero on American wheels) means your true chance is below half — 48.65% or 47.37%, never 50%.
- Assuming every single-zero table has La Partage. The rule must be offered explicitly; many European tables do not include it.
- Expecting La Partage to help inside bets. It only softens the loss on even-money wagers when zero hits.
- Believing the edge disappears. Even at 1.35%, the house still holds a long-run advantage. La Partage improves your odds; it does not make roulette a winning game.
- Chasing losses after a zero. Getting half back can feel like a near-miss, but each spin is independent — previous results never change the odds of the next one.
Disclaimer
This article is for information only and is not gambling, financial or legal advice. Roulette is a game of chance with a permanent house edge; no bet type, rule or system can guarantee a profit over time, and La Partage only reduces the edge rather than removing it. You must be of legal gambling age in your province or territory. If gambling stops being fun or affects your finances or wellbeing, free and confidential help is available in Canada through the Responsible Gambling Council and, in Ontario, through ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600, available 24/7).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What counts as an even-money bet in roulette?
Even-money bets are the wagers that pay 1:1: red or black, odd or even, and 1–18 or 19–36. Each one covers 18 numbers and returns your stake plus an equal amount when it wins.
What does the La Partage rule actually do?
When the ball lands on zero and you have an even-money bet on the table, La Partage returns half of your stake instead of taking all of it. This halves the house edge on those bets from 2.70% to 1.35%.
Is La Partage the same as En Prison?
They give almost identical long-run value but work differently. La Partage refunds half your stake immediately, while En Prison holds your whole stake for one more spin, which then decides whether you get it back or lose it.
Do even-money bets have a 50% chance of winning?
No. Because of the green zero (and the second zero on American wheels), the true win chance is 48.65% on single-zero roulette and 47.37% on double-zero roulette, never a full 50%.
Does La Partage make roulette a winning game?
No. La Partage lowers the house edge on even-money bets to about 1.35%, which is excellent value, but the casino still keeps a small long-run advantage on every spin.
