Roulette is one of the most popular casino games, offering glamour, mystery and excitement. It may seem like a simple game to play, but it has a surprising level of depth for serious betters and can provide excellent opportunities for big wins. If you’re thinking of trying your hand at this classic, you need to understand the rules of the game and the various bet types.

The roulette wheel consists of a stationary bowl with compartments numbered nonconsecutively from 1 to 36. On European-style wheels, there is also a 37th compartment painted green that carries the signs 0 and 00. A small metal ball is placed in the center of the compartment and the whole unit is spun. The wheel is pushed by a metal spindle connected to the roulette table, and it’s a smooth, frictionless affair.

Each roulette table carries a placard showing the minimum and maximum bets. It’s recommended that you choose a table within your budget and decide how much you are willing to bet per spin. It is also helpful to set a maximum amount that you will not exceed. This way, you can avoid losing more money than you intended and enjoy the game for what it is: a chance to win.

While some players believe that a system of betting can give them an advantage over the house, this isn’t true. As stated above, the odds of winning a roulette bet are only 33%. However, if you have an understanding of the game and its rules, you can reduce this percentage to a more acceptable level.

Outside bets are the best wagers for newcomers to roulette, as they offer lower payouts but higher chances of hitting. These bets are placed on groups of numbers (called propositions) rather than individual digits. This makes them more conservative plays, but it’s important to note that they do have a lower payout if you win.

Dozens Bet: This bet is made on either the first dozen (1-18), second (12-18) or third (18-36) of numbers. Unlike inside bets, the zeroes and 00 do not count, so if you hit one of these, your bet loses. The payout for this bet is 2-1.

Odd or Even Bet: Also known as impair et manque in French, this bet is made by placing your chips on the odd or even numbers on the layout. If you win, you’ll receive a payout of 1:1. However, if the ball lands on a 0 or 00, you’ll lose your bet.

Split Bet: This bet is also called a cheval in French, and it’s basically placing your chip(s) to straddle the line between two numbers on the layout. If you win this bet, the payout is 17-1.