En Prison is a roulette rule that applies to even-money bets when the ball lands on zero. Instead of losing immediately, the original bet is left “in prison” for the next spin. If it wins on the next spin, the player usually gets the stake back.
Plain Talk
“En Prison” means “in prison.” The bet is not paid, and it is not fully lost yet. It is locked for one more spin.
If you bet on black and zero lands, the dealer marks the bet as En Prison. On the next spin, a winning result releases the stake. A losing result usually means the stake is lost.
This glossary page defines the term. For the full game explanation, read Roulette and the Glossary.
| Situation | What happens under En Prison |
|---|---|
| Even-money bet wins normally | Player wins 1 to 1 |
| Even-money bet loses normally | Player loses stake |
| Zero lands | Bet is locked for next spin |
| Locked bet wins next spin | Stake is returned, usually with no profit |
| Locked bet loses next spin | Stake is lost |
Where You See It
You see En Prison mainly on French roulette or certain European-style roulette tables. It is not a standard feature on most American roulette layouts.
Why It Matters
En Prison matters because it changes the zero result on even-money bets. Like La Partage, it reduces the damage of zero compared with standard roulette rules.
But En Prison is more procedural than La Partage. Instead of immediately receiving half the stake back, the player must wait for the next spin to resolve the locked bet.
Example
A player bets $30 on red. The ball lands on zero. The dealer marks the $30 bet as En Prison.
| Next spin | Result |
|---|---|
| Red lands | The $30 stake is returned |
| Black lands | The $30 stake is lost |
| Zero lands again | House rule decides whether it stays imprisoned, loses, or receives special treatment |
Always check the table rule, because second-zero treatment can vary.
From the Casino Side:
From the casino side, En Prison requires clear dealer procedure. The dealer must mark the imprisoned wager, protect it from confusion, and resolve it according to the posted house rule.
Floor supervisors need consistency because En Prison disputes usually come from misunderstandings: whether the player receives profit, whether only the stake returns, and what happens if zero appears again.
Common Misunderstanding
The common mistake is thinking En Prison means the player gets a free second chance to win profit. Usually, the best result is that the original stake is returned.
Another mistake is assuming every outside bet qualifies. En Prison normally applies only to even-money bets, not dozens, columns, or inside bets.
Hard Truth
En Prison gives the bet a chance to escape. It does not turn roulette into a fair game.
Related Terms
| Term | Difference | Best page to read next |
|---|---|---|
| La Partage | Returns half the stake immediately on zero | La Partage |
| Even Money Bet | Wager type En Prison usually affects | Even Money Bet |
| Outside Bet | Broader roulette category | Outside Bet |
| European Roulette | Single-zero roulette base game | European Roulette |
| Expected Value | Long-run value of the rule | Expected Value |
FAQ
What does En Prison mean in roulette?
It means an eligible even-money bet is locked for the next spin after zero lands.
Does En Prison pay a win on the next spin?
Usually, if the locked bet wins on the next spin, the original stake is returned without profit. House rules should be checked.
Is En Prison the same as La Partage?
No. La Partage returns half the stake right away. En Prison leaves the stake locked for one more spin.
Does En Prison apply to inside bets?
No. It normally applies only to even-money bets such as red/black, odd/even, or high/low.
What happens if zero lands again?
That depends on the house rule. Some tables keep the bet imprisoned, some settle it differently, and some do not offer En Prison at all.
Deeper Insight
En Prison changes the emotional rhythm of roulette. Standard zero is a clean loss. La Partage is a clean half-loss. En Prison creates a delayed resolution.
The rule is better for the player than losing the full stake immediately, but it also creates a common illusion: the locked bet feels like “house money.” It is not. It is still the player’s original risk waiting to be resolved.
Rule Explanation
En Prison is a rule procedure, not a betting system:
| Step | Procedure |
|---|---|
| 1 | Player makes an even-money bet |
| 2 | Ball lands on zero |
| 3 | Dealer marks the bet as En Prison |
| 4 | Bet remains for the next spin |
| 5 | Next spin resolves the locked stake according to house rules |
Formula Explanation in Plain English
Mathematically, En Prison reduces the cost of the zero on eligible even-money bets in a similar direction to La Partage, but the settlement is delayed instead of immediate. The exact value can depend on house rules for repeat zero and how the casino resolves imprisoned wagers.
Related Reading
To understand En Prison properly, read Even Money Bet and Outside Bet first. Then compare it with La Partage, which handles zero differently. For broader roulette structure, continue with European Roulette, House Edge, and Roulette.