Roullete (pronounced: roh-LAY-tuh) is a casino game where players wager on which red or black numbered compartment of a revolving wheel the small ball will drop into as it comes to rest. The game emerged in the late 18th century in the casinos of Europe. Its name is derived from the French term meaning “little wheel.” The game is played by placing chips on a table corresponding to the compartments of the roulette wheel. Bets may be placed on a single number or various groupings of numbers, the colors red and black, whether a number is odd or even, or if it is high or low.

The rules of roulette are easy to learn, but the strategy for winning is more complex. Generally, players start by establishing the size of their betting unit based on their bankroll. This is one of the best ways to maximize your profits. After that, they should bet the same amount each time and make adjustments only if their previous round results are not positive.

Before the dealer spins the wheel, he will clear all losing bets and pay the winners. He will then announce that betting for the next round is closed, and a marker will be placed on the winning number. Then, the dealer will spin the wheel and throw the ball.

There are many versions of roulette, but the most popular is European roulette. This version has 18 red and 18 black pockets, with one or two green pockets. The presence of green pockets gives the house an edge over all bets except for the straight bet, which pays 35:1. Other variations of roulette include American roulette with two green pockets and a variant called “la partage” where an even-odds bet loses to a zero but doesn’t automatically lose; this reduces the house’s edge to 1.35%.

Despite the countless strategies for winning at roulette, it is important to remember that the game is essentially random and there is no way to predict where the ball will land on the wheel. Some people think that they can use a published history of the wheel to help them make their bets, but this is not the case. The odds of a specific number remain the same regardless of how often it has appeared in the past. Attempting to game the system by watching previous wheel data is a waste of time and money. Instead, focus on maximizing your profits by making smart bets and managing your bankroll. This will ensure that you are able to meet the bonus requirements quickly and easily.