Roulette is a game of chance that has offered glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers since the 17th century. It is easy to learn and provides a surprising level of depth for serious players. The right strategy can reap high rewards.

The basic rules of the game involve placing chips on the roulette table in groups that cover numbers or sections of the wheel. The croupier then spins the wheel and throws a ball into it. If the ball lands on a number or section bet, the player wins. The game has many variations, but all have the same fundamentals.

Unlike craps, where the house edge can vary significantly, roulette bets have more consistent odds. For this reason, it is recommended that beginners begin with European roulette. This version of the game has a single zero and a lower house edge than its American counterpart.

When you arrive at the table, you tell the dealer how much each of your roulette chips will be worth. She then parcels them out to you. Then, when the game is between decisions, you place your bets. You can make bets on individual numbers, groups of numbers or the outside bets. Outside bets, in particular, are cheaper and have a higher likelihood of hitting.

Once you have placed your bets, the dealer will spin the wheel and drop the ball into one of the 37 pockets on the roulette wheel. When the ball hits a number, any bets that covered that number will win and those that did not lose. The winning bets will then be paid out. The losers will have their chips cleared from the table.

Some players will try to improve their odds by watching other players, hoping to catch them making mistakes. However, this technique is not proven to work more than coincidentally. The best way to increase your chances of winning is by betting with a predetermined budget and not using your winnings for future bets.

The game of roulette is played on a large circular table with a red and black rim. The outer edges of the table are lined with small numbers that alternate between black and red. There is also a green ‘zero’ division that separates the numbers 1 through 36 from each other. During the early history of the game, there were several modifications to the wheel and betting layout. Eventually, the game settled into its present form in the late 1700s. During this time, the color of the ‘zero’ was changed from red to green to prevent cheating. The name of the game was derived from its French origin. The word roullete means “little wheel.” Fanciful stories about its invention include the 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal, a Dominican monk and Chinese influences. The game became popular in casinos and gambling dens across Europe and America.