Roulette Question

[skitzo444]

So I was watching some people play Roulette. I understand the payouts for the different bets and I know the house edge is 5.26 %. I saw 2 or 3 players with the speical roulette chips. But another guy came up and got a stack or 5 chips instead of the unique roulette chips.

Are players allowed to play roulette with any chips?

Also I don't see the appeal of roulette. can someone explain.