Roullete is a casino game in which a player makes wagers on the outcome of a spin of the wheel. The bets can be placed on a single number, various groupings of numbers, the colors red and black, or whether they are high (19-36) or low (1-18). The payouts for these bets are determined by the amount wagered. Regardless of the outcome of a bet, the player’s chips remain their property and may be placed on another bet with the next spin.

The roulette wheel consists of a solid, slightly convex disk with thirty-six metal compartments (called separators or frets by croupiers) around its edge. Thirty-six of the compartments are painted alternately red and black, while a single green one (on American wheels two green ones) bears the number 0. A ball is spun around the rim of the wheel, and the divisions rotate until they come to rest on a particular number or grouping.

Prior to spinning the wheel, players place bets on which number, section or color they think will be hit by laying down chips on the table. The croupier then throws the ball into the wheel and the winners are rewarded according to their betting odds. The simplest bets are those on a single number, while others involve multiple numbers or specific groupings such as odd-even, red-black and first, second and third dozen.

While fanciful stories about its origin abound, roulette was likely developed in France from the older games of hoca and portique. By the 19th century, a double zero wheel had been added to the game, and its popularity spread expeditiously through Europe and into gambling dens across America.

Despite having one of the lowest winning probabilities among casino games, roulette has become a favorite for many gamblers. Several different strategies are available to help players improve their chances of winning, but the best approach is to start with a small bankroll and gradually increase it as you win. This will ensure that you can try out a variety of betting systems without running out of money and risking a big loss. Some popular roulette strategies include the Martingale System and the Labouchere System.