Roulette is a casino game that involves spinning a numbered wheel and betting on what number the ball will land on when it stops. The game has offered glamour and mystery to casino-goers since the 17th century. It is one of the most popular table games and offers a surprising depth of strategy for serious bettors.

A roulette wheel consists of 38 pockets that are numbered 0 to 36 in a seemingly random pattern and alternate red and black. There is also a green division marked 0 on the American roulette wheel only.

Players place bets by placing chips on a betting mat, with the precise location of each chip indicating the bet being made. Bets on individual numbers are called “Inside bets” and those on groups of numbers (dozens, columns, and a corner) are known as “Outside bets.”

The dealer will spin the wheel and a small ball will land in one of the pockets. The winning bets are cleared off the table and winners are paid. The losers will be left up to try their luck again in the next round. Some players prefer to watch their opponents, hoping that they can pick up on any hidden strategies. This is not a good idea.

Whether you are an experienced player or just getting started, a few simple rules will help you win at Roullete. First, set a budget before you start playing and stick to it. Next, choose a table that allows you to make the bets you want within your budget. Finally, always play outside bets first (groups of numbers instead of single digits) as these are cheaper and have a higher probability of winning.

All outside bets are clearly defined on the betting board, with specific areas labelled for each bet type. For example, a Dozen bet costs 1 chip and pays 392 chips if it wins. The Zero bet requires 17 chips to complete and pays 235 chips when won. The game’s name derives from its French origin, although fanciful stories of its invention abound. One story credits the game’s creator, the 17th-century physicist Blaise Pascal, who developed it as part of his quest to create a perpetual motion machine.