En Prison: Online roulette has always been one of the games that’s portrayed in movies. When it comes to movies, we can see many heroes, even our favourite James Bond indulging in roulette games in movies. Over the years growing up, this has made many people wonder about roulette games.
In Bangladesh, online roulette has always been one of the games that’s getting lots of love from the newer generation. The excitement and thrill that this game gives players has made them come back for more. Many however, do not know that there are three different types of roulette wheels which are American, European and French. Amongst these, European roulette has rules that can benefit the players. Important rules like En Prison and La Partage can enhance your winning chances. Learn all about them below.
Learning All About The “En Prison” Rule (“In Prison”)
Imagine placing a solid bet on Red, only for the ball to land frustratingly on zero – that green-hued number! Under standard rules, you’d lose your entire stake. The En Prison rule, however, offers a lifeline. Here’s how it operates:
The Trigger:
The ball lands on zero (0).
The “Imprisonment”:
Instead of losing your bet immediately, it is placed “in prison.” The dealer typically marks it with a special token.
The Resolution (Next Spin):
- Win: If your original bet wins on the next spin (e.g., you bet Red, it lands on Red), your imprisoned stake is freed and returned to you in full. No profit is paid; you simply get your money back.
- Loss: If your bet loses on the next spin (e.g., you bet Red, it lands on Black), you lose the entire imprisoned stake.
- Zero Again: This is where variations occur. Many casinos rule that a second consecutive zero results in the bet remaining imprisoned for another spin. Less commonly, some might treat it as an automatic loss or even apply La Partage to the imprisoned bet.
Reason Simple Why En Prison Matters
En Prison provides a valuable second chance. While it doesn’t yield a profit on the resolution spin, recovering your full stake is vastly superior to losing it all outright. Mathematically, it reduces the house edge on even-money bets from the standard European roulette edge of 2.70% down to approximately 1.35% .
Understanding The “La Partage” Rule Clearly (“The Share”)
La Partage offers a different, often swifter, resolution when zero strikes your even-money bet:
The Trigger:
The ball lands on zero (0).
The “Sharing”:
Instead of imprisonment or total loss, the rule mandates that you instantly lose only half of your stake on that bet. The other half is returned to you immediately.
No Second Spin:
The outcome is resolved instantly. There is no waiting for the next spin to determine the fate of your money.
The Advantages Of La Partage To Players
La Partage offers immediate and guaranteed mitigation of your loss. Losing half hurts less than losing all. Like En Prison, it significantly reduces the house edge on affected even-money bets. Applying La Partage cuts the standard 2.70% edge down to precisely 1.35% . It provides certainty and allows for quicker bankroll management decisions after a zero spin.
En Prison vs. La Partage: Some Key Comparisons You Should Know
While both rules target the same situation (zero on an even-money bet) and achieve a similar reduction in house edge (around 1.35%), they operate distinctly:
En Prison:
- Bets gets a second chance on the next spin.
- Potential to recover full stake, but also risk losing it all.
- Outcome is delayed.
- Handles consecutive zeros typically by re-imprisonment.
La Partage:
- Loss is immediately halved.
- Half stake returned instantly.
- Outcome resolved conclusively on the zero spin.
- No potential for recovery, but no further risk either.
Player Preference:
Risk-tolerant players might prefer the second chance offered by En Prison. Players valuing immediate resolution and guaranteed partial return often prefer La Partage.
Simple Strategic Implications That All Roulette Lovers Should Know
I. Prioritize Single-Zero Wheels:
Both rules are exclusively found on roulette wheels with a single zero (European/French style). Avoid American wheels (with 0 and 00) as they lack these rules and have a much higher house edge (5.26%).
II. Target Even-Money Bets:
These rules only apply to outside even-money bets: Red/Black, Odd/Even, High(19-36)/Low(1-18). They do not apply to dozen/column bets, or any inside bets (straight up, split, street, etc.).
III. Know the Table Rules:
Always confirm before playing whether the table offers En Prison, La Partage, or neither. Casinos will state this clearly. La Partage is generally more common than En Prison.
IV. Bankroll Impact:
Both rules help preserve your bankroll over time compared to standard roulette rules. Losing only half (La Partage) or having a chance to recover your full stake (En Prison) on zero spins means your money lasts longer, theoretically allowing for more play.
V. Reduced House Edge is Key:
The 1.35% house edge with these rules on even-money bets is among the lowest you will find in any casino table game. This makes single-zero roulette with En Prison or La Partage highly attractive for strategic players focused on minimizing the casino’s mathematical advantage.
Also Read: Top Craziest Online Roulette Game Variations
Conclusion
All in all, roulette lovers should definitely learn about the “En Prison” and “La Partage” rules. This is because the rules exist to help them improve their winning odds. Firstly, when it comes to online roulette, learn which roulette variation you are playing beforehand. If you are given the choice to choose a roulette variation from the three mentioned above, definitely choose the European roulette as it offers one of the lowest house edges over all the other roulette variations available out there.
By learning the “En Prison” and “La Partage” rules, you will have a clear idea on which bets are going to generate your wins at that particular time. This will also ensure the longevity of your gameplay according to your budget. We hope you utilize the knowledge learned today on your next roulette endeavor.
