How to Play Roulette

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Learning how to play roulette is a fairly straightforward process based on learning the available bets on the table, and how to place them. The object of the game is to make a wager on the outcome of a ball spun around a wheel, which is separated into compartments. Each compartment has a specific number and color. You can bet on a specific number being landed on by the ball, or some characteristic of that number. We can bet that it will be odd or even, or will fall within the first 12 numbers, or fall within a column of numbers on the roulette table layout. We can bet that the ball will land in a red or black pocket, or that it will skip both and find the elusive green 0 pocket.

There are two types of roulette bets that you can place, and you may do so in whatever combination or arrangement you wish. These two types of bets include the inside bets and the outside bets. Inside bets are the numbers on the internal area of the roulette table layout, where you place bets for each specific number. Around the outside of the board lie a number of other betting options, and these are collectively referred to as outside bets.

On inside bets, your cumulative bet (all of your bets added together) must total the table minimum. This means if you are playing at a $5 minimum table and want to bet on individual numbers, you can bet $1 on each of 5 numbers, or $5 on one number, or any combination in between, but your bet on the inside must total at least the $5 minimum.

On outside bets each and every bet must be at least the table minimum, and you cannot combine the value of any bets. This means if you want to bet on black and odds, you must place $5 on both bets at a $5 minimum table. Outside bets may not be contributed to your inside bet total.

To play roulette in a typical land-based session (to differentiate from playing at an online casino, which is slightly simpler), wait until a previous session ends and the dealer states to 'place your bets'. At this point everyone will start putting down his or her chips or money. If you're buying into the game you will cash in and get chips of a particular color, set to a denomination of your choice - each player uses their own color. Place your bets as you normally would around the outside. To bet on inside bets put your chips out to the center and ask the dealer to place the numbers you want with the amount you want. The dealer will spin the ball, wait a moment or two, and then wave their hands over the table and state 'no more bets'. When the ball comes to a rest, the dealers will place a marker on top of the winning inside bet, clear the board, and then pay off all the winning bets.

When you play roulette online, some of the extra hassle of the game is removed. You no longer need to pay attention to the dealer to know if you can bet or not (saving some possibly embarrassing situations of betting too late). You also don't have to worry about accidentally under-betting on the inside bets. Learning to play roulette with online software adds the value of being able to test your strategies without testing your bankroll. Try downloading the GoldenPalace.com software suite to see what we mean. You can play roulette (and all of the included games) for free for as long as you wish, then switch to real mode when you have your strategy mastered.

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