Roulette is the gambling game that oozes glamour, mystery, and excitement. It’s a game that is played in both online and land casinos worldwide. The premise is simple: correctly guessing which slot on the wheel the ball will fall into when it comes to rest. It’s a fun, easy-to-play game that can be enjoyed by people of all skill levels. However, it’s also a game that offers a surprising amount of depth for serious betters who want to maximize their winning chances.

Before the wheel spins, players place their bets on a special betting mat. The chips are color-coded and arranged according to the numbers on the roulette wheel. Generally, the table contains 37 numbers from 1 to 36 with red and black color-coded divisions and one extra green pocket numbered 0.

When the roulette wheel stops spinning and the ball lands on a number, winners are paid out their bets. The losing bets are collected by the dealer and added to the casino’s income. The roulette wheel itself is a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape. It has a rim with metal pockets engraved with the numbers 1 to 36. The pockets are alternately coloured in red and black and include one extra green pocket labelled 0 on American tables.

While roulette has a number of different bet options, the most important to understand are the ones that pay out the highest win-to-stake ratios. The highest payout bets are on a single number, which pays out up to 35 times your stake. There are also a number of other bets that offer lower pay-out ratios but are still worth making from time to time.

If you’re new to the game, it might look intimidating due to its French terms and a different style of betting mat. But don’t let this deter you, as French roulette has a minuscule house edge and is the best version of the game in terms of odds. It also has a very simple and intuitive interface.