Roulette is one of the most popular casino games in the world. The game is based on a spinning wheel with numbers and a 0 (or a 00 in American roulette). Players may place bets on individual numbers, groups of numbers, colors (red or black) or whether a number is odd or even. The dealer spins the wheel in one direction and rolls a small ball around a tilted circular track in the opposite direction to determine the winning number.

The number distribution on the roulette wheel is random, although there are some subtle symmetries. For example, there are no numbers between 13 and 24, and the number 27 always appears paired with one of the two odd numbers. The distribution of the numbers also means that two consecutive pairs add up to either 37 or 39. Despite these symmetries, the house edge of roulette is still 2.70%.

To win at roulette, it is important to understand the rules and practice good money management. The first step is to set a budget before you play. When you choose a table, read the placards that describe the minimum and maximum betting limits. Typically, the minimum is $5 for inside bets and the maximum is $1,000 for outside bets.

During each roulette round, the dealer clears the table and then allows bets to be placed. Once the bets are in, the dealer spins the wheel in one direction and then rolls a small ball around a tilted track that runs around the outer edge of the wheel. Once the ball stops, the dealer pays the winners and resets the table.

When you win a bet, it is important to cash out your chips as soon as possible. This will ensure that you continue to bet within your budget and prevent you from dipping into your winnings for future wagers. Moreover, it is important to avoid watching other players, as this won’t improve your odds any more than luck does.

Some players try to beat the maths by using a strategy based on probability theory or by tracking past results. However, these strategies are not reliable and they can be countered by the physics of the game. The numbers on the roulette wheel are distributed randomly, and it doesn’t matter whether a number has been spun recently or not; the odds of hitting that number remain the same. This is why it is best to avoid making straight bets, which are the riskiest bets in roulette. Instead, bet on “outside” bets, which are groups of numbers that can pay out higher amounts.