Like all table games you can play at the casino, roulette has what are known as 'table limits'. These limits define how little you must bet at the table, and how much you are allowed to bet. You may be confused as to why casinos would limit the upper amount of what you may spend at one time when you play roulette, but that little secret is revealed on our roulette systems page. The lower limit at a roulette table comes into effect in two different ways: one for inside bets, and another for outside bets. You are required to play the table minimum at least on each of your outside bets; on inside bets the total of all of your bets must meet or exceed the table minimum. This bit of information is all you need to know in order to start to play roulette.

Inside Bets

As we know, there are two types of bet you can place when you play roulette: outside bets and inside bets. Lets start by looking at the inside bets. The inside bets are made up of specific numbers or combinations of numbers within the number layout, or along the border of it. Remember, the total of all of your bets must add up to at least the table minimum. This means if your table minimum is five dollars, you can put one dollar down on five different numbers and be ok. The same is not true for outside bets.

Straight-up bet - This is the bet you may think of first in roulette. Pick a single number, and if it comes up you win. This bet pays back at 35 to 1.

Split bet - This bet allows you to place a single bet on two different numbers if those numbers are beside each other on the table layout. To play this bet put your chips down on the line between them. This bet pays 17 to 1 if either of your chosen numbers come up.

Street bet - This bet is just like the split bet, but you're splitting over three numbers. You accomplish this by placing chips on the outside of the row of numbers you want to bet on. So if you want to bet on the numbers 1, 2, and 3 all at once, put your chips down on the line that is the outside edge of the 3. This bet pays 11 to 1.

Corner bet - The corner bet is another combination wager, letting you bet on four adjoining numbers. Placing your chips at the point where four numbers meet will indicate you want a corner bet. This is sometimes referred to as a square bet. If any of the four numbers come up, you're paid 8 to 1.

Fiver number bet - There is only one five number bet available, and as such, it's referred to as the five number bet. To play this bet put your chips at the intersection of 0 and 1 on the corner (not the corner that joins with two, but the other one) You can win if any of 0, 00, 1, 2, or 3 are hit. You are paid 6 to 1. Sadly this is bet has a higher house edge of any others when you play roulette.

Blackjack Most people assume that playing Blackjack is all about scoring 21. This is not the case when playing in a casino. Your only objective is to beat the dealer, it doesn't matter whether you hand is worth 21 or 12, as long as you win. All wins pay evens except Blackjack, which pays 3/2 (1.5:1) Your main weapon is the fact that, in most casino rules, the dealer must hit on 16 or below and the dealer must stand on 17 or above. Armed with this knowledge it is possible to formulate a strategy based the value of the dealer's open card. Let's use an example: You have been dealt an 8 and a 5. The dealer's open card is a 5. You may think that a hand of 13 is no good to you but you'd be wrong! Don't forget that the dealer must hit on all scores of 16 or less and 16 is now the maximum score the dealer can have. You stand, the dealer turns over his card to reveal a 10. He has a hand worth 15, normally enough to beat you but because of the casino rules, he has to hit. He hits and draws a 10, he busts and you win with a hand worth 13. Played properly, Blackjack can realise very high percentage returns.

You begin by placing a bet on the table. You will then receive two cards face up. The dealer will receive one card face up and one face down. The down card is called the "hole card" and will remain face down until you have completed your play.

If the dealer up card is an Ace, the insurance option will be offered. You may accept or decline this offer (see Insurance for details.) The dealer will then check for Blackjack (if the dealer's up-card is a 10-value card, the dealer hand will be checked without revealing the hole card.) If the dealer has Blackjack, play ends and your wager is lost, unless your hand also contains a Blackjack (resulting in a "push" or tie)

If there is no dealer Blackjack and you have a Blackjack, the dealer will not take any hits. You automatically win US$1.50 for every US$1 of your original wager.

If no Blackjack is present, you must decide whether to keep your hand as is ("stand"), or take additional cards in an attempt to increase the value of your hand. The decision to take an additional card is called a "hit" or a "draw." There is no limit to the number of hits you can take. If you "bust", by going over 21 while taking a hit, you lose and play is over. When you are done taking hits, you must "stand" and await the results of the dealer's hand.

Now it is the dealer's turn. First, the "hole card" will be revealed. If the dealer's hand totals 17 to 20, the dealer must stand. If the value is 16 or less, the dealer must take hits until the value of the hand is 17 or higher. If the dealer "busts" while taking additional cards, the dealer hand automatically loses.

If the value of your hand is closer to 21 than that of the dealer, you win an amount equal to your original bet. If the dealer's hand is better, you lose your bet. If the hands are of equal value the deal is a push and your money is returned.

After each game has been played, the used cards are shuffled back into the deck.