A game of chance played at a table marked off with numbers from 1 to 36, one or two zeros, and several other sections affording the players a variety of betting opportunities; in the center a revolving, dishlike device roulettewheel into which a small ball is spun to come to rest finally in one of the 37 or 38 compartments. Traditionally, the wheel is spun by a croupier; some casinos employ mechanical devices to spin the wheel instead of a human. The name of the game derives from the French word for “little wheel.” A croupier sends a small white ball spinning that will eventually land in one of the number slots on the roulette wheel. Bets are placed on the table, correlating with the number of possibilities in which the ball can land.

When playing roulette, it’s important to know that the game doesn’t always pay what your bets are worth. With 38 total numbers (1 to 36, plus 0 and 00 on some American tables), the true odds of winning a straight bet are actually 37 to 1, but the payouts only pay 35 to 1. This discrepancy is where the house gets its edge in roulette.

There are many versions of roulette available online, including live dealer games where you can interact with a real dealer and other players through video streaming. In order to play the best roulette app, you should choose a reputable gaming site that adheres to strict regulations and offers a secure environment. Also, make sure to set a budget for your roulette session and stick to it.

Before you start playing, you’ll need to purchase a roulette chip from the croupier. This is done by selecting the denomination of chip you want to use, ranging from $1 to $100. You’ll receive a different colored chip for each denomination. Once you’ve purchased your chips, you can place them on the roulette table according to the bet type you’re interested in making.

The rules of roulette are fairly simple and straightforward, though the game can be intimidating to newcomers. The simplest bet is an Outside Bet, which places a chip on any of the numbered spots on the layout. You can also place an Inside Bet, which places a chip on a specific number. There are also other specialty bets, such as Orphelins and Voisins du Zero, which cover groups of numbers on the wheel.

The roulette ball is usually made of ivory, but modern professional balls are made from materials like resin and Teflon. These balls are smaller and lighter, which changes the dynamics of the game. The light ball makes more revolutions on the wheel and bounces more unpredictably before it lands, than a heavier, larger ivorine ball would. The differences in size and material also have an impact on the ball’s velocity, which can affect how often it hits a particular number. This effect is most pronounced on a slick surface, such as a specialized table cloth.