Roulette is a game of chance that’s famous for glamour, mystery and high rewards. While it’s a simple game to learn, there’s a lot of depth and strategy for serious bettors.

There are several versions of the roulette game and some have different rules and payouts. Most players choose to play European roulette online, which has a lower house edge than American games. The game consists of a spinning wheel and table with betting options. Players place bets on numbers, sections, colors or odds and evens. The croupier throws a ball into the rotating wheel and the winners are paid out according to their bet odds.

The roulette wheel consists of a solid, slightly convex wooden disk with metal partitions (called frets) around the rim. Thirty-six of these compartments are painted alternately red and black, and they’re numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36. A single green compartment carries the number 0, and on American wheels there are two additional green pockets that carry 0 and 00. The wheel is mounted on a perfectly balanced spindle with the roulette croupier using a special tool to maintain the wheel’s balance and smooth rotation.

When you arrive at a roulette table you’ll notice that all the players are playing with special casino chips. Each player gets a specific color of chip so the dealers can easily identify their bets. Whenever you’re ready to leave the table simply tell the dealer that you would like to cash in your chips and she will give you normal casino chips in return.

Roulette rules

Before you start your game, it’s important to understand the different types of bets. Inside bets are those placed on the numbered slots on the table and generally offer higher payouts. Outside bets are those made on the outer areas of the table, and they generally have lower payouts but offer more chances to win.

You can also place bets on groups of numbers, or the colors red or black. You can also bet on whether the next spin will be odd or even, or if the first number will be high or low. When you’re ready to begin, the dealer will clear the table of losing bets and then the game begins. Once the ball lands on a winning number, the dealer will mark that spot with a marker and then pay out the winners. If you bet correctly, you’ll soon be a roulette master!