Roulette, a casino game that has offered glamour and mystery to gamblers since the 17th century, is played by throwing chips into a revolving wheel. Bettors try to correctly guess which red or black numbered compartment the ball will land in when the dealer spins the wheel. The game is simple to learn, but it provides a surprising level of depth for serious bettors. It also offers high rewards if players make the right bets.

There are several types of bets available in roulette, including straight, corner (square), and street bets. Each bet covers a different number of numbers and is paid off at varying odds depending on the type of bet. Straight bets cover one single number, and the payout is 35:1. Corner bets cover four adjacent numbers, and the payout is 17:1. Street bets cover three consecutive numbers, and the payout is 8:1. Other bets include the dozens bet, which covers six groups of numbers, and the chip (also known as a sixline) bet, in which the player’s chips straddle the line between two rows of numbers. These bets pay out at 5:1.

When playing roulette, each player purchases a set of colored chips from the dealer. The color of each chip represents its value. For example, a red chip is worth $100, and a white chip is worth $25. In roulette, the dealer will ask what denomination you would like to designate for each chip. Once you choose, the dealer will mark your chip and give it to you. Each table carries a placard that describes the minimum and maximum bets allowed for each game.

Before you begin to play, it is recommended that you set a betting unit based on your bankroll. This will help you stay within your budget and ensure that you walk away from the game having won or losing a fair amount. It is also important to understand the house edge, which is the percentage of money that a casino keeps from a player’s bets.

The game of roulette is centered around a spinning, revolving wheel that contains thirty-six numbered pockets, painted alternately in red and black. A croupier, who is often also the dealer, spins the wheel, while players place bets on which of the 36 numbers the ball will land in when it stops. The wheel, which is a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape, has metal separators, or frets, on its rim. These have the appearance of ivory and are called ivorine by some players. Modern roulette balls are made of resin, Teflon, or ceramic and have a much lighter weight than the old ivorine balls. This means that the smaller, lighter balls move more unpredictably on the wheel and jump more randomly before landing on a number.

When the wheel comes to a stop, the dealer places a marker on the winning number and clears the layout, paying out winning bets. Some players watch their opponents as they play, hoping to gain an advantage by studying their actions. This practice may not improve your odds, however.