Roulette is a game of chance and luck that has been bringing glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers since the 17th century. While it’s a simple game at its core, there is a surprising level of depth for serious players looking to beat the house edge.

There are 18 red pockets and 18 black pockets on the roulette wheel, along with a 0 (or 00 on some American tables). The wheel has one or two green pockets that give the house an advantage in terms of payouts. A croupier spins the ball, and bets are placed on the numbers that the wheel will land on.

The house edge is 1.35%, but it can be improved to less than half that by playing European Roulette with a La Partage Rule or other rules that remove one of the green pockets. The best way to maximize your chances of winning at Roulette is to start by betting outside bets – groups of numbers instead of individual digits – which are cheaper and have higher odds of hitting. It’s also important to keep in mind that roulette is a game of chance, so don’t be fooled by betting systems that promise to win you large amounts of money. These systems are based on the false assumption that the game isn’t rigged and can be financial disasters for players.

Before you play, establish a betting unit based on your available bankroll. This will allow you to play for longer and minimize losses when the streak goes against you. You can do this by placing a single chip in the middle of any row or column on the table map, or by placing a bet on the corner of any square.

Once you’ve settled on a betting unit, choose a roulette table within your budget. Each table carries a placard that describes the minimum and maximum bets allowed. You should also be aware of the different “inside” bets that are available.

When the dealer clears the table of losing wagers and pays winners, place your bets on the desired number slots. Don’t forget to make sure that your chips are properly placed on the roulette table. A chip placed in a non-winning slot could affect your entire bet.

When the ball comes to rest, the dealer will place a marker on the winning number. Then, the dealer will clear the table and begin a new round. During this time, it’s crucial that you don’t touch the table. If you’ve won a bet, cash out your chips before the dealer returns them to you. It’s a good idea to do this as quickly as possible so you can bet again with your pre-determined amount.