Roullete (pronounced: roo-LEHT) is a casino game that has offered glamour, mystery, and excitement since the 17th century. Its popularity is largely due to its simple rules and high payouts. However, despite its reputation for being a straightforward game of chance, roulette offers surprisingly deep levels of strategy for serious betters.

Before you can make a bet, you must first purchase a chip from the dealer. Roulette chips are different from regular casino chips and come in various denominations. Generally, you will have the choice of $5, $1, or $100 chips. The dealer will ask you what denomination you want to designate each chip as and mark it accordingly. This helps keep bettors from mistakenly wagering on the same number or group of numbers and ensures that winning bettors receive their prize.

Inside bets are those placed on individual numbers and pay 1-1. Outside bets are placed on categories of numbers rather than specific ones and offer higher odds of hitting. They include the Dozens bet, which can be made by placing chips on any of the first 12 or second or third dozen; and the Columns bet, in which players place their chips on the columns of three numbers each.

One of the most common mistakes people make is betting on a single number. They are often tempted to “game the wheel” by watching published wheel results and placing their bets according to these trends. This is a mistake because probability states that the odds of a particular number showing up remain the same regardless of previous results.

If you have won a bet, you will be asked to remove your chips from the table. You can then either collect them or place new bets. All winning bets are subject to a 5% commission, which is taken from the house’s edge. This commission is what makes the game not completely fair to the player, although it is still an enjoyable and exciting experience.