Roulette is one of the most famous casino games in the world, and has offered glamour, mystery, and excitement to gamblers since the 17th century. It is a game that requires little skill or knowledge, but can provide high rewards for those who do play it well. The best online casinos feature this exciting table game, and many also offer live dealers who can handle the action in real time.

The game is played on a revolving wheel that contains thirty-six red and black compartments, alternately numbered from 1 to 36, as well as two green (on American tables) containing 0 and 00. The ball is spun in a counterclockwise direction around the wheel, and bets are made on what number or type of bet will come up as the ball slows down and comes to rest in one of the compartments. Bets are placed by placing chips on a betting mat, which has specific areas for each type of bet. Bets on individual numbers are called “Inside bets,” while those on groups of numbers (Dozens and Columns) are known as “Outside bets.”

Before the ball is spun, players must place their chips on the betting area of the table. A dealer then places a marker on the winning chip, clears off losing bets, and pays the winners. Some players like to watch their fellow gamblers, hoping that they may pick up a hint of the pattern in which the wheel will land. However, this is a practice that can only improve your odds by an insignificant amount.

It is a good idea to set a budget for your roulette game before you begin, and choose a table that will allow you to place bets within that amount. Each roulette table carries a placard describing the minimum and maximum bet amounts. The minimum bet is usually $5, while the maximum bet is often $1,000. Inside bets tend to pay out at higher odds than outside bets.