Roullete or Roulette is a casino game played with a spinning wheel and small ball, where players place bets on which numbered compartment the ball will land when the wheel stops spinning. Each bet placed against the house pays out at different odds depending on which number or type of bet is made – for instance single numbers, groupings of numbers, odd or even numbers and high or low (18-36) numbers may all be bet upon by placing chips on a betting table in a specified pattern. Originating in Europe in 18th Century it quickly spread to casinos and gambling dens worldwide.

A roulette wheel consists of a solid wooden disk slightly convex in shape. Around its rim are metal separators known as frets or compartments painted red and black to indicate opposing numbers on a standard roulette wheel. There are 36 of these compartments plus an extra green zero (on European wheels only; 00 on American ones), that comprise its numbers.

After the dealer finishes clearing away winning bets, it is now up to the player to place his or her bet. To do this, he or she must place chips onto an area called a “mat”, with their exact placement indicating which bet they are placing. Bets are organized into categories; accordingly, their wagering area will also display such information.

Roulette remains one of the least-popular casino games among American gambling establishments despite being widely played. It draws significantly fewer people than slot machines, video poker, blackjack or craps and could soon be overshadowed by newer titles such as Caribbean Stud Poker; nevertheless it remains popular at Monte Carlo casinos and other European gambling hubs.

Though some gamblers may believe there are methods of gaining an edge at roulette, no betting system can overcome its predetermined percentage edge and win consistently over time. Thus, it is crucial that one understands when to walk away and when to stay.