Roullete is a casino game of chance that has entertained and enriched gamblers since the 17th century. Its simple rules and high payout potential have made it a favorite among many casino-goers. But despite its apparent simplicity, roulette has a surprising depth of strategy for serious players.

The rouleette wheel is a solid disc, slightly convex in shape, with thirty-six metal compartments, or pockets, painted alternately red and black and numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36. On European-style wheels a 37th compartment, painted green, carries the sign of 0, while American roulette has two extra green compartments marked 0 and 00. The ball, thrown by a croupier onto a rotating disk, lands in one of the compartments when it stops spinning. If the player correctly guesses which number or type of number will be hit, he or she wins.

Prior to the wheel’s spin, players lay down chips on a special betting mat. The precise placement of each chip indicates the bet being made. A bet on six numbers or less is called an “inside bet”; a bet on all other numbers is known as an “outside bet.” Each bet pays differently depending on its location. In general, a bet on a single number costs the most, but the odds of hitting that number are also the highest.

The roulette ball used to be ivory, but today’s professional balls are typically made from resin, Teflon or ceramic. They are smaller, lighter and bounce more unpredictably before landing on a number than their larger ivorine predecessors. These differences can have a significant impact on a game, especially when it comes to predicting where the ball will land.

Before laying down your chips at the table, it is important to set a budget and stick with it. Each roulette table carries a placard that describes the minimum and maximum bets allowed. To make the most of your budget, start by placing bets on groups of numbers rather than individual digits. Also, avoid dipping into your winnings for future bets. This will only increase your chances of losing money. A good strategy is to bet in the smallest increments possible while still making a profit. This will ensure that you’re playing with a level of skill and not just luck.