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Boule

Last update: October 28, 2005

Introduction

La Boule is a similar to roulette. I noticed the game at a casino in Antibes, France. The game features 9 numbers and 3 colors of which to bet on. The only time I saw the game it was closed at the time of day I was there. However, I could tell it is played on a large wooden wheel and from casino literature I know it is played with a rubber ball a little smaller than a tennis ball. The wheel looks like this...


Image source: Casinos Barriere rule book.

Rules

As the above image shows the wheel is divided into 9 numbers, 1 to 9; and three colors, black, red, and yellow. The numbers 1, 3, 6, and 8 are black; 2, 4, 7, and 9 are red; and 5 is yellow. After the dealer calls "Rien ne va plus" (no more bets) he will spin the wheel and ball; the depression where the ball lands determines the outcome. The following image shows the betting layout.


Image source: Casinos Barriere rule book.

The table below shows the available bets, what each pays, probability of winning, and house edge.

La Boule Odds
Bet Pays Probability House Edge
Red1 to 144.44%11.11%
Black1 to 144.44%11.11%
Low (1-4)1 to 144.44%11.11%
High (6-9)1 to 144.44%11.11%
Odd1 to 144.44%11.11%
Even1 to 144.44%11.11%
17 to 111.11%11.11%
27 to 111.11%11.11%
37 to 111.11%11.11%
47 to 111.11%11.11%
57 to 111.11%11.11%
67 to 111.11%11.11%
77 to 111.11%11.11%
87 to 111.11%11.11%
97 to 111.11%11.11%

As the table above shows, every bet has a house edge of 11.11%. This is much worse than roulette, especially European roulette. So, given the choice between la boule and roulette, always choose roulette.

Thanks to Dave Hubbard for sending me a rule booklet on the game.

Malaysia Rules

The Genting casino in Malaysia has a game called French Boule. Under the Singapore rules a ball is thrown into an arena with many indentations, each with a number from 0 to 9. The total number of indentations for each number is equal.

One type of bet is on a specific number, for example 5. The probability of winning is 10%. Wins pay 8 to 1. The house edge is 10%.

Another is on a set of three numbers, in partiular 1,4, or 7; 2, 5, or 8; and 3, 6, or 9. The probability of winning is 30%. Wins pay 2 to 1. The house edge is also 10%.

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