Roullete, or roulette, is a game in which players place bets on the outcome of a spinning wheel. The bets can be on a single number, various groupings of numbers, colors red or black, odd or even, and whether the ball will land in one of two ranges of values. The game of roulette is played with a roulette wheel, a numbered table, and chips that are affixed to the appropriate bets. The game originated in France, but is now enjoyed throughout the world.

The game of roulette is often compared to craps, a dice-based casino game with similar rules and betting options. However, the house edge in roulette is far less volatile than that of craps. This is due to a special rule known as the La Partage, which gives players half their losing wagers back if the ball lands in the zero pocket. In addition, some casinos offer a variant of the game called French roulette, which includes a second green compartment numbered 00 on the American version of the wheel, which increases the house edge to 2.63 percent.

In the United States, the game is usually played on a table with a standard layout and a roulette wheel that has only one green pocket. The wheel is a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape, with a metal rim that has thirty-six divisions alternating between red and black, and a single green compartment marked 0 on European wheels, and a double green pocket labeled 00 on American roulette wheels.

Players place bets by putting chips on the roulette table map or betting mat, with precise placement indicating the bet being made. Bets on individual digits are called “Inside bets,” while those on groups of numbers are known as “Outside bets.” Some players like to watch the other players, hoping that they can pick up on patterns or other indicators that improve their chances of winning.

Before play begins, the dealer will clear the table of any chips won by the previous round and then distribute new ones to all the players. Some players like to use a strategy that involves setting a desired win amount and then increasing their stake amounts each time they lose. This is known as the Martingale system and it can be a good way to minimize losses without requiring large bankrolls. Other players simply rely on luck and the fact that some bets are more likely to hit than others.