Its point is to act as an extension to the main grid, and to encourage some of the players to switch to exotic 'French Bets'. it features all of the same numbers - 0 to 36 - but within a different layout.

This oval-shaped section sits to the side of the main play area. The need for space partly inspired the invention of an additional grid, called the 'Racetrack'. With nothing to distinguish one player from another, it becomes important not to have too many chips on the board at the same time. Whereas most roulette tables (in land casinos) assign coloured chips to the players, so that winning bets can be easily identified, the chips on French tables differ only in the numerical amounts they have printed on them. And most of this will be due to the existence of bet types like Voisins du Zero, Tiers du Cylindre, and Orphelins. However, if you are taking a spin on a true French table, you'll find much that's, erm, foreign.

Combine these with a single zero layout (unlike double-zero American-style tables), and the house edge falls to around 1.4%. If you're given the chance to play a French-style roulette table, then you should, as this will probably give you access to the punter-friendly En Prison/La Partage rules. So trust French casino-dwellers to develop some rather more intricate ways in which to play. The Exotic Side of French Roulette - Neighbours Of Zero, Orphans And Neighbours And Thirds Of The Wheel Of Tiers

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