Roullete is the casino game of chance that has brought glamour and mystery to gambling dens since the 17th century. Despite its reputation for being an easy game, it offers a surprising depth of strategy for serious players who know where to place their bets and how to handle winnings.
The roulette wheel consists of a solid wooden disk, slightly convex in shape, with a series of metal partitions, called frets or pockets by roulette croupiers, surrounding the circumference. Thirty-six of these compartments, painted alternately red and black, are numbered non-consecutively from 1 to 36. On European-style wheels, a green compartment marked with the number 0 is also present; on American-style wheels, two green compartments are presented.
Players can make a variety of bets on the outcome of each spin by placing chips on the table map. The bets vary in cost and payout, with the highest-paying bets (a straight-up bet on a single number) requiring the most chips. In addition, players can wager on a grouping of numbers or the colors red or black.
To avoid losing more than you can afford to, start by betting small amounts and then increase your bets as your bankroll increases. Having an established budget will also help you decide whether or not you should try out different strategies. Using this strategy will give you the best odds of winning, although it is important to remember that roulette is mostly a game of luck. If you do win, cash out your chips as soon as possible.