Roulette is a gambling game in which players place bets on the outcome of a spin of a wheel. The game has a long history and is popular in casinos around the world. Bets can be placed on a single number, various groupings of numbers, the colors red and black, whether the number is odd or even, or if it is in the first, second, or third dozen. The house edge for outside bets is higher than for inside bets.

A croupier or dealer spins a roulette wheel and then rolls a small ball in the opposite direction of the rotation. The ball lands in one of the numbered compartments on the roulette wheel and winners are paid out based on their betting odds. Roulette is one of the most popular casino games, although it has a smaller following in the United States than slot machines, video poker, blackjack, and craps.

The game is played on a special table, or layout, that has been marked to correspond with the different divisions of the roulette wheel. Players place their bets before the croupier spins the wheel. When the wheel comes to a stop, the croupier announces “no more bets” and the table locks to prevent cheating or other advantages.

In addition to a wide variety of bets, roulette offers several strategies that can help players maximize their winnings. These include the Martingale system (doubling bets after each loss) and the Fibonacci system (betting based on a numerical sequence). While these systems can increase your chances of winning, they are not foolproof. Ultimately, the house has a built-in advantage in roulette and no strategy can overcome it. That’s why it is important to play within your bankroll. This way you can focus on enjoying the game and avoid stressing about winning or losing.