Roulette is a casino game that has brought glamour, mystery and excitement to players since the 17th century. Its simple rules allow for an intriguing level of depth and serious strategy, while the winnings can be high. However, like any casino game, a player’s success depends on making informed decisions and being smart about the bets they place.

The Roulette wheel has 36 slots with numbered numbers, plus one (0) and sometimes two zeroes (on American wheels). A croupier spins the roulette cylinder and a small ball bounces around until it comes to rest in one of the slots. If the ball lands on a number that a player has bet on, they will win.

Before the croupier starts spinning, players make their bets by placing chips on a layout that corresponds with the possible slot locations on the roulette wheel. Most bets are on individual digits, but other options include groups of numbers and color symmetries. These are called “outside” bets and have a lower house edge.

Purchasing Roulette Chips

Before starting a game of roulette, you’ll need to purchase roulette chips from the dealer or croupier. These are different from standard casino chips and have a special symbol to indicate their value. The dealer will ask you what denominations you want to assign to each chip, and then mark them accordingly. You can purchase up to $1000 worth of roulette chips, so choose carefully. This is a good time to discuss the table minimum and maximum bets with the croupier, as well.

The Dozens Bet: This bet involves placing your chips on either the first, second or third dozen. A win here pays 2-1. The Columns Bet: This bet is similar to the Dozens bet, with the difference being that you’re betting on one of the four columns of numbers rather than a single number.

The Split Bet: This bet, also known as a cheval in French, requires you to place your chip(s) to straddle the line between two numbers on the roulette layout. If both numbers win, the payout is 17-1.

Roulette games can be played online with a wide variety of features that are unavailable in traditional casinos, including autoplay modes and unique themed tables. Some games even incorporate live dealers, bringing the best of land-based and online play together. Aside from delivering a high-quality user experience, these innovations are designed to increase the game’s visual appeal and offer more ways for players to interact with the game. These features can boost the game’s popularity, attracting new audiences and bolstering revenue streams.