Roulette is a game of chance that has offered glamour, mystery and excitement to casino-goers since the 17th Century. While the rules are simple, roulette has a surprising depth that can provide serious betters with high rewards. In this article we will cover the basics of how to play roulette so that you can enjoy the game safely and responsibly.

When playing roulette, you place chips on a designated table map that shows the number slots. You may choose to bet on a single number, various groupings of numbers, the color red or black, or whether the number is odd or even. There are also special bets, such as the five-number bet, that pay out higher payouts.

The game is available in many different casinos, both online and land-based. There are a variety of wheel designs and betting layouts, as well as different versions of the game. The most popular version is European roulette, which has a single-zero wheel and a minimum bet of $5. American roulette, on the other hand, has a double-zero wheel and a minimum bet size of $10. While the house edge in American roulette is higher, it can still offer some of the best payouts in the casino.

To play roulette, you must first purchase chips from the dealer (or croupier). Each player gets a special colored chip to identify them at the table. This allows the dealer to keep track of all bets. The dealer will ask you what denomination to assign each chip, which can be as low as $1 and as high as $100.

Once you have your chips, wait until the dealer announces, “Place your bets.” Then place your chips on the table map. The dealer will then clear all losing bets from the table and then pay the winners. Then, you can begin the next round of betting.

If you’re looking for a low-risk strategy that improves your chances of winning, opt for outside bets. These bets are cheaper and have higher payout rates than inside bets. However, it’s important to remember that roulette is a game of chance, so you can’t rely on this strategy alone.