Roulette is one of the most popular casino games around. It has offered glamour, mystery and excitement to players since the 17th century and it is known worldwide for its ease of play and high payouts. But it also offers a surprising level of depth for serious betters who choose to use a proper strategy.

The game is based on a spinning wheel with divisions that alternate between red and black, plus a single zero and a double zero (on American tables only). A ball is spun and when it comes to rest the winning number is announced by the dealer.

Players place chips in the designated betting areas on the roulette table. Each player receives a color of chip to distinguish him or her from other bettors. The dealers will provide you with normal casino chips in exchange for the roulette ones when you cash out your winning bets. This is to prevent cheating.

While there are many fanciful stories about the origins of roulette, we know for sure that it was created in France in the 18th century from the older games hoca and portique. It was first mentioned under its current name in the early 18th century and it became a favorite at casino and gambling dens across Europe.

Today, there are several different variations of the game. The most popular is European roulette which is played both in physical casinos and online. It has a lower house edge than the American version which makes it more attractive to players.

The other two most common roulette types are French and American roulette. Both have a low house edge but the French one has an additional feature that allows players to get their stake back on even money bets when the ball hits zero. This is called la partage and it reduces the house edge to 1.35%. The American roulette has an extra green pocket which increases the house edge to 5.26%.