Roulette is a casino game in which a ball is dropped onto a revolving wheel with numbered holes. Players place bets on which number the ball will land in, and if they win, they collect the amount won as their stake. Fanciful stories credit roulette to 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal, but the game really took off in casinos and gambling dens across Europe from about 1836 onwards. It was later brought to America, where it grew in popularity with the advent of the first modern roulette wheels.
There are a number of different bets that can be made on the roulette table, with payouts that vary depending on how many chips you place on a winning bet. Single number bets pay out 35 times the amount wagered, while other bets are less lucrative.
To play roulette you need to place a bet on a number, grouping of numbers, color (red or black), or whether it is high (19-36) or low (1-18). Some bets require more money than others, and it’s important to understand the rules before placing your bet.
To maximize your chances of winning, try to make your bets on groups of numbers rather than individual digits. This will stretch your bankroll out longer and allow you to experiment with a few different strategies before running out of money. Also, it’s a good idea to start with small bets and work your way up. This will help you get a feel for the game and determine whether it is something you want to continue playing.