Roulette is a casino game played on a wheel with 36 compartments, each painted in either red or black. Each pocket carries a different number, nonconsecutively ranging from 1 to 36 plus 0 and 00 (American style).

A roulette wheel is a solid, convex-shaped wooden disk slightly tilted and spinning smoothly on a spindle. A single croupier runs the wheel and a series of chips are placed on each side in accordance with player wishes. The dealer then removes a “buck” or a “puck” symbolically indicating which number was hit on the last spin.

The most popular and highest-paying bet on the table is a multi-chip wager on zero. This bet requires 17 chips and pays 235, the most expensive roulette chip in the house. The next most valuable bet is a three-chip bet on number one, which costs 27 chips and pays 297.

As a roulette player, it’s important to understand the various types of bets and the rules of play. While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of betting and winning big, it is important to take time to read the fine print, especially when it comes to online gambling where you may not have the chance to play the game for free before risking your hard-earned money.

It is also important to be aware of the special announced bets, most often found on French Roulette but often present in online European variations of this classic casino game. These special betting combinations are actually part of the game’s rules and you should know them by heart to maximize your chances of winning. Fortunately, there are many excellent and fun roulette games to choose from at online casinos, but it is worth taking the time to find the right ones for you!