Roulette is a game of chance and luck that can be played on the internet or in real casinos. The objective is to correctly guess the number the ball will land on when it spins around a wheel. The numbers on the wheel are arranged in a random pattern and alternate red and black with an additional green division numbered 0. The game is also referred to as ‘wheel of fortune’. The house edge in roulette varies depending on the type of wheel used and whether the game has a single or double zero.

The game consists of a spinning disk with a series of numbers ranging from 1 to 36, which are colour coded in red and black along with a green division for the 0. There are also additional green pockets on American roulette wheels, which makes this version of the game worse financially than its European counterpart.

Players place bets on the outcome of the wheel’s spin by laying down chips on a betting mat. The dealer spins the wheel in one direction while a small ball rolls in the other, and the bets are settled as the wheel stops rotating. Players can bet on different outcomes for each spin and the payouts are determined by the number of winning bets.

A common strategy in roulette is to place bets on outside bets, which are more likely to win than inside bets. These bets are placed on groups of numbers rather than individual digits and typically have lower limits. Outside bets are based on the idea that the ball will fall into one of three categories: odd, even, or red/black.

Before a round begins, the player places their chips on the betting area of the table. They then give the dealer money by placing it on the table and asking for “colour”. The dealer will then give them coloured roulette chips that are equal to the value of the original bet.

The chips can be moved between rounds by the dealer, who will clear the table in between each spin. However, they can only be re-spread once the dealer announces that “no more bets”. This is to prevent players from trying to cheat or gain additional advantages by changing their bets during the course of a spin.

While there are many strategies to play roulette, none of them can overcome the built-in house percentage. The best way to improve your chances of success is by determining the size of your betting unit, which should be based on your available bankroll. This can be done by using a chart like D’Alembert or the Martingale strategy, which involves doubling your stake after each loss to recover your losses and break even. However, this system can be risky, especially if you lose multiple rounds in a row. This is why it is important to stick to the minimum bet size, which should not exceed 1% of your bankroll. The James Bond strategy is another good option for newcomers to the game.