Roulette is a casino game in which players place chips on a table and spin a wheel to determine whose number the ball will land in. The game’s history dates back centuries, and it continues to occupy casinos around the world. It has even branched out into online gaming and mobile applications. While many fanciful stories surround the game’s origin, 17th century French mathematician Blaise Pascal is generally credited with creating it.

The roulette wheel consists of a solid, slightly convex disk with 36 red and black-painted compartments, or pockets, numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36. A 37th compartment, painted green and carrying the signs 0 and 00, is found on European-style wheels. A roulette croupier spins the wheel by pressing on the center of a special cylinder, called a rotor, which has two grooved segments to guide the ball.

Before you start playing, establish a betting unit based on your available bankroll. This will ensure that you don’t bet more than you can afford to lose. It will also help you avoid chasing losses or taking unprofitable positions.

Choose a Roulette Table within Your Budget

Each roulette table carries a placard that displays the minimum and maximum bets allowed. Read it carefully to decide whether a particular table is right for you. If it doesn’t fit your budget, look for another.

The table layout is divided into several sections for different types of bets. The most common are straight-up, split and street bets. Each type of bet requires a different amount of chips and has varying payouts. Straight-up bets require you to select one number on the layout. Split bets require you to straddle the line between two numbers on the layout, while street bets cover a row of three consecutive numbers.

To make a bet, click on the appropriate section of the roulette table. Then click the “Spin” button to spin the wheel and see if your bet won. If you won, you’ll be paid in a matter of seconds. You can then either leave your winnings on the table or withdraw them. When you win, it’s a good idea to cash out as soon as possible so you don’t risk losing your bankroll. Also, don’t dip into your winnings to make new bets; this will lower your odds of winning.