Roulette is one of the most famous casino games in the world, offering glamour, mystery, and excitement to players since the 17th century. Despite its simple rules, it has a surprising depth for serious betters and the right strategy can reap huge rewards. But before you take your seat at the table, you need to know the basics of the game.

There are a number of betting options for roulette and each type of bet comes with different odds and payouts. In general, the more numbers that you bet on, the higher your chances of winning are but the lower the payouts will be. These betting options are divided into two categories: inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets are bets on specific numbers while outside bets are based on groupings of pockets by position.

Before the wheel is spun, players place chips on the betting mat. This betting area has a map of the board with the names of the numbers in French written on it, although on most American tables English terms are used. Players select the number they wish to bet on by placing their chips in the correct position of the betting area. Once the ball is rolled, the winning bets are marked and the losing ones cleared off the table.

The Roulette Wheel

The roulette wheel consists of a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape, with a number of metal compartments or “canoes” around its rim. Thirty-six of these are painted alternately red and black and numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36, while the remaining two (on European-style wheels) carry the signs 0 and 00. The wheel is spun by a croupier who takes turns at spinning it and pushing the ball into the wheel with his hand.

Playing Roulette

If you’re interested in playing roulette, you have many options for online casinos. Many offer both the European and American versions of the game, which differ by house edge. We recommend choosing the European version, as it has a lower edge and offers a simpler betting system.

When it comes to betting on roulette, the most important thing is to stick to your bankroll. Set a budget and be sure to cash out your winnings as soon as possible. Don’t dip into your winnings to make additional bets, as this will increase your risk of a bad streak. Also, be sure to play only at sites that use secure connections and a reputable payment processor. Finally, be sure to set a limit on how much you can spend per session. This will help you avoid going broke and ensure that your casino experience is positive.