Roullete (pronounced rou-LEET) is the game of chance that has offered glamour and mystery to casino-goers since 17th century Europe. The game consists of a spinning wheel with numbered pockets and a small ball that is released in one direction around a tilted circular track, where it will eventually stop and determine the winning number or color. The rules are simple and the payouts high. But before you place your bets, it’s important to understand the house edge and which betting options have a higher probability of success.

The Wheel

The roulette wheel is a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape with a rim containing metal separators or frets. The pockets on the wheel are numbered 1 through 36, with an additional 0 and 00 on American wheels, resulting in 38 total pockets. The pockets are alternating red and black (except for the 0 and 00, which are green) with odd and even numbers distributed evenly throughout.

Before play begins, the dealer will ask you to purchase a set of coloured roulette chips for your wagers. Each chip represents a different denomination, ranging from $1 to $100, and is marked with a symbol of the game to differentiate between players. The dealer will then indicate how much each bet should be worth and distribute the chips accordingly.

After all bets are placed, the croupier will spin the wheel and throw the ball into one of the pockets. If a player’s bet was correct, they will receive a payout equal to their betting odds. Outside bets are less common than inside bets, but they can offer a greater range of payouts if successful.

Before you start placing bets, set a budget for your play and stick to it. This will help you avoid dipping into your winnings and keep you in the game longer. Also, be sure to cash out your chips after each round. Using your winnings to place new bets will only reduce your chances of a successful run.