Roulette, named after the French word for “little wheel,” is a casino game played with a numbered ball and a revolving disc-shaped device called a roulette wheel. The game has many variants. It is a popular casino game, and there are a number of strategies to maximize profits. However, it is important to remember that roulette is a game of chance and there is no guaranteed way to win every time.

Despite its reputation as a rigged game, roulette actually has a relatively low house edge, which is the percentage of money that the casino keeps. The house edge is calculated by multiplying the odds of hitting a number by the probability that the ball will land in a particular slot. The odds of hitting a number vary depending on the type of bet, but are always proportional to the total amount bet.

While a number of theories exist on how to beat the house, most professional gamblers will tell you that it is impossible to gain an advantage over the long run. However, it is possible to limit your losses and make small profits by betting on outside bets, which are groups of numbers instead of individual digits, and by avoiding high-risk bets, such as those on single numbers.

The game of roulette began life in the 17th century, although it may have roots even farther back in history. French mathematician Blaise Pascal is credited with its invention, but historians believe that it was derived from older games, including the hoca and portique. It was not until the early 18th century that it achieved its present layout and wheel structure, after which it became one of Europe’s most popular gambling games.

When playing Roulette, each player is provided with a set of different colored chips. Each chip has no value denomination printed on it, but the dealer will place a token on top of a stack to indicate its value. This is to help players keep track of their bets, especially when the game is played by couples or groups.

When a round ends, the dealer will clear the table and pay the winners. After that, play will begin for the next round. The dealer will pause for a while, giving players a chance to place their bets. Then he will spin the roulette wheel and throw the ball, often announcing “no more bets!” to indicate that the betting for this round is closed.