When Martingale feels repetitive and Fibonacci starts to drag, it may be time to explore another side of Roulette with announce bets—also known as French bets. These are sometimes mistakenly referred to as call bets. In the UK, however, the term call bets refers specifically to wagers made without providing the funds upfront, which is not allowed in regulated casinos.
The idea behind announce bets is straightforward: the player states the name of the bet, hands over the chips required to cover it, and the dealer places the chips on the relevant series of numbers. These bets focus on specific number groupings on the roulette wheel rather than individual numbers or simple inside/outside wagers.
The main announce bets you’ll encounter include:
- Voisins du Zéro (Neighbors of Zero) – covering 17 numbers closest to zero.
- Tiers du Cylindre (Third of the Wheel) – covering 12 numbers opposite zero.
- Orphelins (The Orphans) – covering the numbers not included in the other two bets.
- Jeu Zéro (Zero Game) – a smaller version of Voisins du Zéro, covering 7 numbers near zero.
These bets add variety to the game and offer a more structured way to cover multiple numbers with a single announcement.
Jeu Zéro: The ‘Zero Game’ (Zero Spiel or German Bet)
Jeu Zéro, or Zero Spiel, is often considered more of a German tradition than a French one. It is a four-chip bet (or a multiple thereof) that covers the numbers surrounding zero on the wheel. The chips are placed as follows:
One chip on the 0/3 split
One chip on the 12/15 split
One chip on the 32/35 split
One chip straight on 26
This bet covers seven numbers in total and carries an average hit rate of 18.9%. Because of its relatively narrow coverage, it is best suited for players willing to embrace higher risk for potentially strong payouts.
Voisins du Zéro: Covering Nearly Half the Wheel
An expanded version of the German bet, Voisins du Zéro covers a much larger section of the wheel to boost winning chances. A total of nine chips (or multiples thereof) are required to cover 17 numbers in the following way:
Two chips on the 0, 2, 3 trio
Two on the 25, 26, 28, 29 corner
One on the 4/7 split
One on 12/15
One on 18/21
One on 19/22
One on 32/35
While individual payouts are smaller than with Jeu Zéro (proportional to the stake), the win rate averages around 45.9%. That’s only slightly lower than a standard even-money bet such as red/black or odd/even (47.37%), but with much more flair.
Tiers du Cylindre: The Classic ‘Thirds of the Wheel’ Bet
A favourite for players who like to steer clear of the zero, Tiers du Cylindre covers the opposite side of the wheel, running from 33 to 27. The bet uses six chips, placed as follows:
- One chip on 5/8
- One on 10/11
- One on 13/16
- One on 23/24
- One on 27/30
- One on 33/36
The probability of winning is around 32%. Payouts are always three times the value of the stake, which means the house edge remains the same as with Voisins du Zéro or simple even-money bets. However, with fewer numbers covered, losing streaks are more likely.
Orphelins (The Orphans Bet in Roulette)
As the name suggests, Orphelins represent the “orphaned” numbers that sit outside the main betting sections of the roulette wheel. They span two separate areas and require five chips placed as follows:
- One chip on 1 (straight up)
- One on 6/9 (split)
- One on 14/17 (split)
- One on 17/20 (split)
- One on 31/34 (split)
The Orphelins bet carries an average success rate of 24.3%. However, it is highly volatile, meaning players often rely on a rare big win to recover potential losses. For this reason, it is generally best suited to those comfortable with risk.
Keep in mind that not all casinos allow “announce bets,” and when they do, they are typically restricted to European (single-zero) roulette tables. Online casinos, however, often include Orphelins and other French bets as options, making them more accessible for players looking to try something different.
