Roulette is a game of chance that has brought glamour, mystery, and excitement to casino-goers since the 17th century. It is also one of the most popular games in Europe, a favorite at Monte Carlo and other European gambling hotspots. However, it does not draw nearly as many players as blackjack or video poker and is in danger of being passed up by newer casino games such as baccarat.
Roulette consists of a table map with various bet types and a wheel that spins on a cylinder. The wheel is made of a solid wooden disk that is slightly convex, with metal partitions or frets that divide it into thirty-six compartments (called canoes by roulette croupiers) painted alternately red and black and numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36. The number 35, painted green, carries the sign 0 on European wheels, while American roulette wheels have two green pockets that carry the signs 00 and 0.
A player can make one of several types of bets. These are divided into “inside” bets and “outside” bets. Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or groups of numbers, while outside bets are placed on adjacent numbers or horizontal rows. Each type of bet has its own set of odds and payouts. The player must decide on a betting unit based on his bankroll and should start by placing bets with lower house edges, such as the street bet (bet on three consecutive numbers) or the corner bet (bet on four adjacent numbers).
When he is ready to begin, the croupier throws a small white ball into a spinning wheel. The croupier will continue accepting bets until all players have finished placing their bets and the croupier announces, “No more bets.” Then, he will spin the wheel and wait for the ball to land in a pocket that marks a specific number. If a player’s bet is on that number, the player has won.
After the ball has stopped spinning, the croupier will announce the winning number and any bets that won. Then, the dealer will give each player a color chip that corresponds to the denomination of his bet. Each color indicates the value of a bet, with red chips being higher-risk bets than blue ones.
Roulette is available in casinos and many online gaming sites. Some online casinos offer a live version of the game that has an actual dealer. The European version has a single-zero pocket, which reduces the house edge and allows players to enjoy more balanced gameplay. Some online roulette games feature extra rules such as en prison or la partage, which can further improve the player’s chances of winning.