Roulette is one of the most popular casino games. It’s a simple game with an even more straightforward set of rules and can be played by anyone from novice to expert. The aim of the game is to accurately guess which number the ball will land on. There are a few different types of roulette but the most common is European which has a single zero so it has a much lower house edge.

The roulette wheel consists of a solid disk slightly convex in shape with metal divisions around its rim, called frets or separators, and compartments, known as pockets, between these. Thirty-six of the compartments are numbered in a non-consecutive pattern and painted alternately red and black, with an additional green 0 on the American roulette wheel. A croupier spins the wheel, which has a base that is spun along with the ball and a bowl that holds it, until the ball comes to rest in one of the compartments.

There are many myths and legends about the origin of the game, including that it was invented by 17th century French mathematician Blaise Pascal, a French monk, or even Chinese monks who brought it to France. In any case, it evolved to its modern form in the 18th century, and became a staple of the gambling dens of Europe.

A variety of betting options are available in the game, from single-number bets to bets on specific groups of numbers, color (red or black), and whether they are odd or even. In addition, bets can be placed on whether the numbers are high (19-36) or low (1-18).

While there are a few ways to win at roulette, the house edge is always 2.7% of each dollar you wager. As a result, it is important to learn as much as possible about the game and choose the best strategy for your particular bankroll and risk tolerance.

Roulette is also a very social game and many people like to join in on a table with other players. This can be a great way to meet new friends and enjoy the thrill of winning. Many casinos offer a number of different table limits and game variations to accommodate all levels of play.

For beginners, it is a good idea to try a scaled back version of the game called ‘French Roulette’. It is only half the size of a standard roulette table and offers a simpler set of rules that are easier to understand. It is also often offered at online casinos and can be a fun way to practice your roulette skills. The rules for this game are similar to those of European Roulette but they include the ‘En Prison’ and ‘La Partage’ rules which can help protect your even money bets if the ball lands on zero. This can save you some big losses.