La Partage is a roulette rule that applies to even-money bets when the ball lands on zero. Instead of losing the full stake, the player loses half and gets half back. It is most associated with French-style roulette.
Plain Talk
“La Partage” means “the sharing.” In casino terms, it means the zero result is shared between the player and the house on eligible even-money bets.
If you bet $20 on red and zero lands, a standard roulette table takes the full $20. With La Partage, the casino keeps $10 and returns $10.
This glossary page defines the term. For the full game explanation, read Roulette and the Glossary.
| Situation | Standard roulette | With La Partage |
|---|---|---|
| $20 red bet wins | Win $20 profit | Win $20 profit |
| $20 red bet loses to black | Lose $20 | Lose $20 |
| $20 red bet loses to zero | Lose $20 | Lose $10 |
Where You See It
You see La Partage mainly on French roulette or selected European-style roulette tables. It generally applies only to even-money outside bets: red/black, odd/even, and high/low.
The Wizard of Odds roulette basics explains roulette house edge and rule differences. The Masters of Games roulette rules describes La Partage and En Prison in plain rule language. The UK Gambling Commission safer gambling guide is a useful reminder that better rules reduce cost but do not make roulette income.
Why It Matters
La Partage matters because it changes the cost of zero on even-money bets. On a single-zero wheel, even-money bets normally carry a house edge of about 2.70%. With La Partage, the house edge on those eligible bets is about 1.35%.
That is a meaningful rule improvement. It does not make roulette beatable by betting systems.
Example
A player bets $40 on odd at a French roulette table with La Partage.
| Spin result | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Odd number | Player wins $40 profit |
| Even number | Player loses $40 |
| Zero | Player loses $20 and gets $20 back |
Only the zero result is changed by La Partage.
From the Casino Side:
From the casino side, La Partage is a rule variation and a table-positioning tool. It makes the game more attractive to players who understand roulette math, especially players comparing American, European, and French rules.
Operationally, staff must know exactly which wagers qualify. Inside bets, dozens, and columns normally do not get La Partage treatment. Dealers and floor supervisors must apply the rule consistently to avoid disputes.
Common Misunderstanding
The common mistake is thinking La Partage applies to every roulette bet. It usually does not. It is for even-money bets only.
Another mistake is thinking La Partage is a strategy. It is not a betting method. It is a rule condition that either exists on the table or does not.
Hard Truth
La Partage is one of the few roulette rules that genuinely helps the player, but it only softens the edge. It does not erase it.
Related Terms
| Term | Difference | Best page to read next |
|---|---|---|
| En Prison | Holds the bet for the next spin instead of returning half immediately | En Prison |
| Even Money Bet | The wager type La Partage usually affects | Even Money Bet |
| Outside Bet | Broad category of roulette bets | Outside Bet |
| European Roulette | Single-zero roulette base game | European Roulette |
| House Edge | The math La Partage reduces | House Edge |
FAQ
What does La Partage mean in roulette?
It means the player loses only half of an even-money stake when zero lands.
Does La Partage apply to straight-up bets?
No. It normally applies only to even-money bets such as red/black, odd/even, and high/low.
Is La Partage better for the player?
Yes. It reduces the house edge on eligible even-money bets on a single-zero wheel.
Is La Partage the same as En Prison?
No. La Partage returns half the stake immediately. En Prison leaves the stake locked for the next spin.
Can a roulette system use La Partage to beat the casino?
No. La Partage improves the rule, but the game still has a long-run house edge.
Deeper Insight
La Partage is powerful because it affects the one pocket that creates the edge on even-money bets: zero.
Without La Partage, zero is a full loss. With La Partage, zero is a half loss. That is why the rule cuts the house edge on even-money bets roughly in half on a single-zero wheel.
Formula / Calculation
For a one-unit even-money bet on European roulette:
Standard rule:
EV = (18/37 × 1) - (19/37 × 1) = -1/37
La Partage rule:
EV = (18/37 × 1) - (18/37 × 1) - (1/37 × 0.5) = -0.5/37
Approximate house edge:
| Rule | Even-money house edge |
|---|---|
| European roulette, standard | 2.70% |
| European/French roulette with La Partage | 1.35% |
Formula Explanation in Plain English
The win and loss sides almost cancel each other out. The only remaining cost is half of the zero result. That is why La Partage is one of the most player-friendly roulette rules.
Related Reading
Read Even Money Bet first, because La Partage only makes sense when you understand 1-to-1 roulette wagers. Then compare En Prison, Outside Bet, and European Roulette. For the broader math, read House Edge and Expected Value. For the complete guide, visit Roulette.