Roulette is a casino game that has been offering glamour and mystery to players since the 17th century. Its simple rules and easy-to-follow betting system make it a popular choice for novices, but the game also provides a surprising level of depth for serious betters.

To win at roulette you must correctly guess the number or type of bet you have placed on the table before the dealer spins the wheel and drops a ball into one of the pockets. The game’s betting options include single numbers, various groupings of numbers, colors red or black, whether the numbers are odd or even and if they are high (19-36) or low (1-18).

As with all casino games there is a range of house edges for different bet types in roulette. However, this is not as great a variation as the range found in craps. In fact, the house edge of a single-zero European roulette wheel can be as low as 2.7% compared to the 5.26% of the American version with a double zero.

The game has been played by people from all walks of life since the early 1700s. It became a huge success in illegal gambling dens across France and rapidly spread to new territories including the US. It was only in 1843 that the double-zero pocket was replaced by a single zero, dramatically lowering the house edge.

In addition to European roulette, which is the version played in most casinos and online, you can find many other variations of the game. These vary from the size of the table to the payouts for a winning bet. The best option for a novice is to play European roulette as it offers a magnified chance of winning and will not deplete your bankroll too quickly.

If you’re playing at a casino online, simply place your chips in the appropriate area of the table and click the spin button. The computer will then spin the wheel and drop a small ball into one of the pockets. If you have made a bet, the computer will announce which number is the winner and will pay out your winnings to your account automatically. If you haven’t won, your chips will remain on the table until the dealer announces ‘No more bets!’ to prevent cheating or additional advantages.