Roullete, meaning “little wheel,” is a casino game based solely on chance. Players bet on the number or type of number (either a single number, various groupings of numbers, red or black, even or odd, or one of two value ranges for each number). A small ball is thrown onto a spinning numbered wheel. When it stops in a pocket that matches the player’s bet, they win.

There are many different systems for playing roulette – some easy to understand and others incredibly complicated. A simple search on the internet will return millions of results. Some claim to beat the odds and provide a foolproof strategy, while others are simply too complex or unreliable.

Roulette is a fun, fast-paced game that’s easy to learn. However, it’s important to set a budget and stick with it. It’s also a good idea to start by wagering on “outside bets” (groups of numbers instead of individual digits) as they tend to offer lower payouts but are more likely to hit.

The Roulette Wheel

The game’s cylinder was invented in its primitive form in the 17th century by Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, philosopher and inventor. His goal was to create a machine that would perpetually spin. It took a century to perfect the wheel and layout as we know it today, which was introduced in Europe after 1700.

To play, you first place your chips on the table map indicating what type of bet you’d like to make. Most people choose to bet on inside bets, which pay higher amounts but have a lower probability of winning.

Once you’ve placed your chips, the croupier will clear the table of the previous round and you’ll be ready to go. The dealer will then give you a colored chip for each denomination you want to designate as your bet amount. This is done to avoid confusion between bettors and prevent cheating by using hidden devices.

When the croupier is ready, he or she will announce that betting is over and throw the small ball into the numbered groove on the wheel. The croupier will spin the wheel and watch as the ball bounces around and eventually comes to rest in a numbered slot. If you correctly bet on that number or the type of number – such as high or low – you win.