Roullete (pronounced roo-lay-te) is a gambling game where players place chips on a roulette wheel and bet on the color or number that the ball will land on when the dealer spins the wheel. A casino classic, roulette has captivated players since the 17th century and is a popular fixture in online casinos and brick-and-mortar establishments worldwide. While it may seem like a straightforward game, it offers a surprising amount of depth for serious betters and can yield high rewards.

A roulette wheel consists of a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape, with metal partitions or frets around its rim that form thirty-six compartments numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36 and alternately red and black. A 37th compartment, painted green, carries the number 0, and two additional green compartments on American wheels carry the numbers 0 and 00. A ball is spun around the outside of the wheel and, when the wheel comes to a stop, the ball falls into one of the compartments.

There are many theories about the origin of roulette, including that it was invented in the 17th century by French mathematician Blaise Pascal while he was working on a perpetual motion machine. Regardless of its true creation, it became a popular game in Europe and spread to America with the expansion of French colonies throughout the world. By the mid-19th century, roulette had become one of the most popular games in American casinos and gambling houses.

Roulette is a game of pure chance, so there is no strategy that will overcome the house’s built-in advantage. However, you can improve your chances of winning by limiting the number of chips that you place on inside bets. In addition, it is important to choose a table that has a low minimum bet and maximum bet. This will help you avoid being gouged by the house’s margin of victory.

When playing at a live casino, make sure to choose the Roulette table that suits your budget and betting style. Each roulette table carries a placard with its minimum and maximum bets, which will allow you to play the game within your budget. The minimum bet is usually $5 for inside bets and $1,000 for outside bets.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try placing a chip on the outer edge of the zero pocket. This is a very risky bet, but it can pay off big if you hit it. However, the odds of hitting this bet are about 6 to 1 – making it the worst wager in the game. If you’re not willing to take that risk, don’t place your chips there. Instead, place them on a bet where you can expect to win at least half of your bet. Otherwise, you might end up losing a lot of money.