Roullete is a classic casino game that’s a staple at every table. It’s easy enough for a beginner to learn but also has a variety of betting options that will keep even the most seasoned player engaged. It’s not as popular as blackjack, video poker, or craps, but it still draws crowds in Europe and New Jersey online casinos. But how exactly does it work? Read on to learn everything you need to know about this casino classic.

The Roulette Wheel

The roulette wheel is a solid, convex wooden disk with a slightly flattened center. Its rim is lined with metal separators or frets that form thirty-six compartments, painted alternately red and black and numbered 1 to 36. A 38th compartment, painted green, carries the sign of zero, while two green ones on opposite sides carry the signs 0 and 1. The wheel is spun by the dealer (called a croupier in France) to initiate a round. Once the spin is complete, a ball is tossed into the spinning wheel, where it will land on one of the numbers, either a number, section or color that the players have bet on. If a player’s bet wins they will be paid out according to their betting odds.

When playing roulette, you should always stick to the outside bets, which include odd/even and red/black. This is the best way to maximize your chances of winning. You should also avoid using the Martingale strategy, which involves doubling your stake after every loss. While it works for some games, it will only drain your bankroll.

Before the game begins, you must decide what size chips to bet with. Once you’ve done that, the dealer will indicate how much each chip is worth, and then she will begin to distribute them to the players. Once everyone has their chips, the croupier will begin the game by throwing the ball into the spinning wheel.

After the croupier has spun the wheel and thrown the ball, she will announce “no more bets” to close the round. Then she will clear the losing bets and pay the winners. After that, play for the next round will begin.