Roullete is a casino game that involves betting on the outcome of a spin of the wheel. Players lay chips on a special mat, the precise location of which indicates the bet made. The dealer then gives each player coloured roulette chips in the value of the amount wagered.

The game was invented in the 17th century by the French physicist Blaise Pascal as part of his quest to create a perpetual motion machine. Its present layout and wheel structure were developed in the 18th century, and it soon gained popularity in casinos and gambling dens across Europe.

It is important to understand the rules of roulette before you play. The odds are marginally against all bets, but if you hit a short lucky streak then you can make some money. It is also important to know that the odds of hitting a number on the wheel remain the same regardless of what has happened before, so don’t try to ‘game’ the system by watching previous results and betting accordingly.

There are many different types of bets in roulette, each with its own payouts and odds. The most common bets are the straight, split and corner (square) bets. The straight bet pays 35 chips to 1 for a single number, while the split bet pays 6 to 1 for two adjacent numbers. The corner bet pays 8 to 1 for three adjacent numbers.

A good roulette strategy is to stick to outside bets, as these offer the best odds of winning. In addition to this, players should aim to bet on all the odd numbers. This is because the odds are higher for these bets, as they are based on the fact that there are more odd numbers than even ones.

There are many different versions of roulette, and it is important to choose the right one for your strategy. If possible, look for a European wheel (single zero) as this has a lower house edge than the American version with its double green pocket. If this is not available, then try to find a wheel with the “en prison” rule, which means that an even-odds bet that loses to a zero wins half its stake back.