Baccarat, also referred to as ‘Punto Banco’ is a casino card game, extremely popular across the globe. This game is played to a specific set of rules, therefore is not played against the dealer but rather between two competing hands and it is just for the player to try and guess the outcome. Pretty simple really. The origins of baccarat are disputed with some sources claiming it dates back to 15th century France and Italy and other sources disputing that the game wasn’t introduced until the 19th century. Here you will learn all the rules of baccarat, how to play, how to place bets and all possible outcomes. So, when the time comes for you to sit at that baccarat table, you will have all the skills and knowledge need. Therefore, you’ll have no problem keeping up. Players can enjoy a number of baccarat games at independent and non gamstop casinos.

Baccarat is played with 8 decks of cards making up the shoe.

Aces count as 1 2 – 9 count as face value 10, J, Q, K count as zero (or have no value)

For each hand of baccarat, both the player and the banker will receive a minimum of 2 cards, sometimes a third. This is dependent on the total value of the hands after the first two cards, following a strict set of rules. No decision is to be made by either the player or the dealer. Anything over 10 has no value. When adding up the total value of hands, it is only the last digit that is counted. For example, an 8 and a 6 making up 14 will give you a total value of just 4. The hand with the closest possible outcome to 9 wins. There are three possible outcomes to bet on, player wins, banker wins or a tie.

• Aces count as 1 • 2 – 9 count as face value • 10, J, Q, K count as zero (or have no value)

For each hand of baccarat, both the player and the banker will receive a minimum of 2 cards, sometimes a third. This is dependant on the total value of the hands after the first two cards, following a strict set of rules. No decision is to be made by either the player or the dealer. Anything over 10 has no value. When adding up the total value of hands, it is only the last digit that is counted. For example, an 8 and a 6 making up 14 will give you a total value of just 4. The hand with the closest possible outcome to 9 wins. There are three possible outcomes to bet on, player wins, banker wins or a tie.

Each round of baccarat begins with the player side getting two cards, immediately followed by two cards to the banker side. It is always the player side to be dealt first. A third card can be given to either side with certain outcomes. This is always determined by the same set of rules, we will look more closely at in a moment. If either side received a total of 8 or 9 on the first two cards, this is classed as a natural hand. No more cards will be dealt and is counted as a natural win, unless of course in the event of a tie or with 9 beating 8.

Whether or not the player receives a third card is solely dependant on the total of the first two cards dealt. Therefore, if the player has:

•8 or 9 – Natural hand and no more cards are dealt. •6 – 7 – No more cards •0 – 5 – Automatically gets another card.

The rules to determine whether or not the banker gets another card, is not only dependant on the first two cards of the banker but also on the players hand. Therefore, if the banker has:

• 8 or 9 – Natural, no more cards. • 7 – No more cards. • 6 – Receives a card if the player’s third card is 6 -7. • 5 – Receives a card if the players third cad is 4-7. • 4 – Receives a card if the players third card is 2-7. • 3 – Receives a card unless the players third card is an 8. • 0 – 2 – Automatically receives a third card.

A maximum of three cards can be dealt to each the player and the banker with no options to receive anymore. Once the hand has played out according to the specific drawing rules. The side with the highest total value to 9 wins. If both the player and the banker have matching totals after the hand has played out, this is considered as a tie.

On a standard baccarat table, there are three main possible outcomes that you can bet on.

• Player win – pays 1:1 (even money) • Banker win – pays 19:20 (5% tax) • Tie – pays either 9:1 or 8:1

The reason for the bank taking a 5% tax when hitting a winning outcome is because there is a slightly higher probability for the banker to win. Some baccarat tables, more common in live casinos, will offer other side bets such as when the banker has a total of 3 and the players third card is an 8, ending the hand or even bet specifically on which number will tie. These generally have much higher pay-outs. Baccarat is a unique game that can be enjoyed by all players be it high or low stakes. No verification casinos will provide tables with a range of minimums and maximums to suit all players. It is one of the calmer, more relaxing games that can be found in a casino.And now with the knowledge of how to play, it is definitely worth trying a few hands. You may discover this game is for you. See also Gaming tip #1 Online Roulette and Gaming tip #2 Blackjack and Video Poker. Try Baccarat at Black Label Casino .