Roulette is a casino game of chance played with a spinning wheel and a small ball that settles in one of the numbered pockets. The winning number determines whether the player has won or lost. The game’s history dates back to the 17th century and was invented by Blaise Pascal, a French physicist, philosopher and inventor in his quest for a perpetual motion machine. The modern roulette wheel, made of a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape, has thirty-six compartments painted alternately red and black (or dark blue on some wheels), with two green ones that carry the numbers 0 and 1. A small, light ball is rolled onto the wheel while it is in motion, and the balls spin and bounce unpredictably until they finally settle in a pocket.
There are many different bets that can be placed in roulette, with the payout based on the odds of the selected number or color. These bets are classified as either inside or outside bets. Inside bets are those placed on specific individual numbers or groups of numbers. They include Straight bets, Split bets and Corner bets. In addition, players can make street bets. The Straight bet pays 35 chips to those who correctly guess the winning number.
A Split bet costs 17 chips to place and pays 297 chips if it wins. A Street bet straddles a line of three numbers on the layout and pays 11-1 if it wins. There is also a Sixline bet or transversal in French, which is placed by placing your chip(s) to straddle the line between two rows.
Outside bets are those placed on categories of numbers, and they have a much lower house edge than inside bets. These bets are easier for new players to understand and can be more profitable. However, it is important to keep in mind that outside bets have a higher minimum bet amount than inside bets.
Before you begin playing, it is important to set a budget for your session. This will help you decide how many bets to make per round and avoid overspending. You should also choose a table within your budget. Each table carries a placard with the minimum and maximum betting limits, so you can easily find one that fits your needs.
Lastly, choose an online casino with a free roulette play option. This will allow you to test the site without risking any real money. You can also check out the game’s payout percentage and bonus offers to make sure that it is worth your time. It is also recommended to look for a casino with a high reputation, a generous variety of games, and easy navigation. It’s also a good idea to look for an online casino that accepts your preferred payment methods.