Roulette is a casino game in which a small ball is released into a revolving numbered wheel. Players make bets on which red or black numbered compartment the ball will enter as it comes to rest. The game emerged in Europe during the 18th century. It was derived from earlier games like hoca and portique.

The word roulete is French for little wheel. On a typical European roulette wheel there are 36 numbers and a 0; on American tables there is also a 00. A croupier spins the wheel in one direction and sends a small white ball spinning around in another. Bets are placed on the table, correlating to the slots the ball can land in.

When a bet is won, the winning player is rewarded according to the odds of that particular wager. The game’s house edge varies between variations of the game, but it’s generally higher on American wheels than on European ones.

Before playing, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the different bet types. Knowing which bets have the highest probability of winning will help you decide where to place your chips. In addition, you’ll want to set a budget for your gaming session. Fortunately, each roulette table carries a placard describing its minimum and maximum betting amounts.

Once you’ve determined your budget, choose a table within that range and give the dealer your money. The dealer will then hand you coloured roulette chips, which have a value equal to the amount of money you gave her. When the game is between decisions, the dealer will announce ’No more bets!’ This prevents players from placing their bets just as the ball is about to stop, avoiding any potential cheating or other unfair advantages.

To place an inside bet, place a chip on the numbered portion of the table and select the number you wish to bet on. You can also place bets on a small group of numbers, such as the first three or the last six. These bets have a lower payout than other outside bets, but they have the best chance of hitting.

The Dozens Bet, or impair et pair in French, is an even-money bet. You’re wagering that the winning number will be in either the first dozen (1-18) or the second or third dozen (13-36). If the ball lands on a 0, however, you lose. This bet pays out at 2-1. The Odd or Even Bet is similar, except that you’re wagering on whether the winning number will be odd or even. The house edge for this bet is 2-1.