Roullete (French: “little wheel”) is one of the most classic casino games. Known worldwide for its glamour, mystery and excitement, this simple game of chance relies on luck alone but offers players plenty of betting opportunities. Despite its simplicity, there is a surprising depth of strategy for serious betters.

The wheel itself consists of a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape, with metal separators, or frets, around its perimeter. The spaces between these are called compartments or pockets, and they are painted alternately red and black and numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36. On European wheels, a 37th compartment, painted green and carrying the sign 0, is added. The ball is thrown onto the wheel while it spins, and when it comes to rest in a number, the player who has placed bets on that number or one of its correlated groups wins.

Before you start playing, choose a table within your budget and decide which bets you want to place. Each roulette table carries a placard listing the minimum and maximum bets allowed. Generally, tables with a higher minimum bet also offer lower maximum bets. To make the most of your money, begin by wagering on outside bets, which are easier to hit and usually pay off more than inside bets.

Before each spin, you give the dealer your chips by placing them on the table and asking for “colour.” The dealer then gives you coloured roulette chips with a value equal to the amount of money you gave her. After each win, it is important to cash out your winnings quickly to avoid overextending yourself and dipping into your losing bets.