An Online Gaming Guide on How to Play Baccarat:

It is believed Baccarat is based on an old Etruscan myth called the “Ritual of the Nine Gods.” This ritual involved a blonde virgin awaiting her fate, which was to be determined by a nine-sided die thrown by the Gods. If the die landed on the numbers eight or nine, the virgin became a priestess. If the die landed on a six or seven, the virgin would be banned from any religious rituals in the future, and if anything less than six was rolled, the virgin would walk into the sea and drown. Baccarat is the French and Italian word for zero. The number zero correlates to the value of the joker, king and queen cards, also known as the face cards. It was invented by Felix Falguierein in the middle ages, and was originally played using a deck of Tarot cards.

The game was introduced in France in approximately 1490. Under the rule of King Charles the VIII, baccarat was limited to the aristocracy. In 1959, Tommy Renzoni introduced baccarat to Las Vegas as a casino game. It was premiered at the Dunes Casino after the Havana Casinos were closed down by the Cuban government.

The Game – How to Play Baccarat

Baccarat is the card game of pure chance in which the face cards and tens have zero value, the Ace is worth one point, and cards two through nine are worth the face value of the card. Regardless of the number of players, two hands are dealt: the player hand and the banker hand.

The total value of the cards in a hand is the value of the digit with is furthest right of the sum of the cards. For example, if a hand has a two and an eight, the total value of the hand would be zero since two plus eight is ten, and zero is the digit which is furthest right of the number ten. If the hand is two and four, the hand is worth six. The highest value of any hand can be no more than nine. The term baccarat refers to the value of zero. For example, if the hand has a four, six and a king, this would be called baccarat. The king is worth zero and four plus six is ten, equaling a value of zero. A total value of eight or nine is called a “natural.”

Bets are placed on either the player or the banker’s hand or on the chance of the hand being a tie. Cards are dealt from a “shoe” consisting of four, six or eight decks of cards shuffled together. Two cards are dealt at first for each hand. Depending on the value of each hand, a third card may be dealt, but neither hand will ever have more than three cards. For a player hand totaling zero through five, a third card will be drawn. Players will stand on a value of six or seven, and if the total is a nine, or an eight the player hand wins.

The Banker Hand

The Banker hand rules are a bit more in-depth. If the player hand did not draw a third card, the banker will stand on seven, eight or nine, and will draw a third card on zero, one or two. When the player selects a third card, the banker hand rules are as follows:

• If the total of the 1st two cards is 3, and the third card drawn is 1 – 7, 9 or 10, the banker selects a card. If the third card is an 8, the banker stands.

• If the total of 1st two cards is 4 and the third card drawn is 2 – 8, the banker draws. If the third card is 1, 8, 9, or 10, the banker stands.

• If the total of the 1st two cards is 5, and the third card drawn is 4 – 7, the banker draws. If the third card is 1 – 3, or 8 – 10, the banker stands.

• The 1st two cards total is 6, and the third card drawn is a 6 or 7, the banker draws. If the third card drawn is any other number, the banker stands.

• The banker stands if the 1st two cards total 7.

• If the first two cards total 0, 1, or 2, the banker draws.

This collection of rules for the banker hand is called a tableau. Baccarat rules are the same in both land-based and online casinos.

Baccarat is played around the world. The most common variation of the game is called Punto Banco, also known as North American Baccarat. Punto means player, and Banco means banker. This version of the game is the standard casino version (online and land-based) and is played in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, Finland, and Australia. The game is overwhelmingly popular in Macau, China and among the Asian population in general.

There are two other variations of the game. Baccarat Chemin de fer, which was the original form of the game, and the most popular version among the French. Chemin de fer means “way of iron,” and came from the iron shoe used to deal the cards. Only six decks are used to fill the shoe. The third variation is Baccarat Banque.

This version uses three decks shuffled together (although sometimes two or four) and the person who places the largest bet is the banker. There is also mini baccarat and midi baccarat, which allow for smaller bets, and less players.

How to Play a Game of Chance | How to Play Baccarat

Baccarat is strictly a game of chance, and there is no skill involved. However, “strategies” have been developed, but have had little success. One such strategy endorsed by many casinos is Pattern Spotting. This involves watching the hands closely and trying to identify a pattern. Many land-based casinos distribute small paper grids allowing players to keep track of hands and develop their own strategy. Online casinos keep track of this information automatically. There is also the Martingale System of betting that involves doubling each bet after a loss. None of these strategies have been proven to give the player an advantage.

About Baccarat

How to Play Online Baccarat

Baccarat, Italian for zero, is one of the many games that you might avoid when you go to gamble online or at a real casino. It is one the most quick, easiest and fun to play games out there. It was even featured in James Bond and several other spy movies for its sophisticated charm. After all, the game originated in France sometime in the 1400s and has undergone several iterations since.

The traditional allure just does not come from Hollywood. There have been many high stakes games played on Baccarat and many casinos make or break depending on the high stake games. Millions of dollars might go into single game and the casino might take a large hit thanks to the special rules that Baccarat uses.

Baccarat is one of the few games out there that is not susceptible to advantage play, also known as card counting. Players are often even encouraged to record the history and many online casinos provide you with a log of the hands dealt. It also has very favorable odds with an extremely low house edge, the house edge being the long-term advantage that the casino has. It is a complete game of chance with odds being determined by lady luck, more so than strategy.

It is also a very social game both online and in real life. There isn’t much competition in standard Baccarat with the other players, which makes for a fun and relaxing game versus games like poker. The rules are also simple and easy to learn, making it a great game to get into. A lot of players think of Baccarat as a social video poker. So if you like video poker then you may love online Baccarat.

Rules of Baccarat

You may think at first that Baccarat is a daunting game, but the rules are actually quite simple. There are two hands dealt, one called the banker and one called the player. Do not let the names confuse you. They are simply the names for the two different hands of cards. Both hands are actually dealt by the dealer.

The objective is very simple. The hand closest to 9 is considered the winner. Players place bets down on a tie, the dealer, or the player and watch as each hand is dealt. Two cards are drawn and placed for each hand and the totals are added up using a special counting system. Aces count as one point, 2-9 as face value and the rest count as ten points. You only count the right most digit, so a total of fourteen would be counted as 4.

If one hand contains a 4 and a 5 then that hand would add up to 9. If one hand has a ten and a 2 then that hand would count as a 2. Two Jacks would equal zero while two 9s would equal 8.

If both numbers add up to an eight or a nine then that hand is a natural winner and the two hands are compared to each other instantly. If the player obtains a 9 and the dealer an 8, then the player would win. If neither hand obtains an 8 or a 9 then a third card could possibly be drawn following some very specific rules.
The player can draw another card if the initial total is between 0 and 5. If the player has a 6 or a 7 then the player stands. The game then moves to see if the banker can draw a third card. If the player stood then the banker follows the same rules and the game is then determined by who is closer to 9. If the player draws a third card then the banker can draw another card depending on the outcome of the players draw.

Money is bet on who wins the outcome, which is dependent mostly on luck. As mentioned previously, you can bet on the player, dealer, or a tie. If your money is on the winner then you get to cash in. The odds of winning a tie is very low, but the payout ranges to 8 to 1 or 9 to 1, which makes it a fun risky bet. Any wins on the banker have a 5% house commission.

Baccarat Variations

There are many variations of Baccarat out there and it is played all across the world. The original version, chemin de fer, is still played today in France. The same rules apply, but instead of the casino betting for everyone, the players do. One player takes on the bank and places all of the money up and then the other players match the bet. The cards are dealt, two a hand, one to the bank and one of the group of other players. The same rules apply, except that everyone decides on if they want a third card or not. Once a banker loses, then another player takes that role and players continue to play. You will rarely find this version in online Baccarat.

Then there is Baccarat banque, which is similar, but the banker is a more permanent role. He continues to play until he retires. There is no one global rule to Baccarat that everyone shares, so it is always good to check into things.

Baccarat is often played in secluded areas of the casino because it attracts high rollers. It is also very prevalent in online casinos as well. High stakes online Baccarat is only available to players who spend a lot of time at the Baccarat tables. If you enjoy the game then odds are you’ll find yourself a seat with the high rollers in no time.

Online Baccarat Strategy

Baccarat is naturally a game of luck and that plays into your favor. Each bet on the banker or the player gives you about an even chance to win, while a bet on tie is risky. It is a guessing game and you will need to figure out the best guesses in order to walk away with a profit. The biggest tip is to avoid ties unless you want to play risky because odds are you will lose.
The best hand to bank on is the banker’s hand. You will still have the best odds even after the 5% commission. This makes the banker’s hand the most profitable hand to play. Online Baccarat allows you to sometimes play with a different number of decks. There are better odds whenever there is fewer decks so be on the lookout for those options.

Many players focus on coming up with a spending strategy whenever they go betting. Baccarat is a great casino game to have a spending strategy at since it all boils down to luck. Have in mind the maximum amount that you are willing to lose and the total amount that you want to walk away with whenever you start playing. You should be a professional online Baccarat player in no time by following these tips. Just keep in mind the rules and avoid a tie. Remember, it all comes down to luck, so the best strategy might just be to have luck on your side.