Baccarat is a very simple game to play. The dealer handles the draw of cards according to specific rules and, as in Roulette or Craps, the player has no decisions to make during the game. The only two decisions a bettor must make, before each hand is dealt, are the selection of the position they believe will win the next hand, and determining the amount of the wager. The House banks all bets, and collects or makes payouts on each hand that is dealt. However, it is a good idea to be familiar with the rules, as it will heighten the enjoyment of the game, and the anticipation of the turn of a card. Overall, Baccarat is one of the best games in the Casino for the bettor.
Objective:
To wager on the hand that will finish with a point total of 9, or as close to it as possible.
Betting Options:
There are three options a player may wager on: Player hand, Banker hand or Tie hand. You may also bet on Banker and Player hand or tie hand at the same time.
Card Values:
Aces count as one.
2 through 9 count as face value.
10s and Pictures count as zero.
For example:
The Game:
Baccarat is played with six decks of cards that are re-shuffled after each hand. The cards are dealt from a shoe, similar to BlackJack. You can bet on either the Player's side, the Bank side, or on a Tie. Four cards are dealt, the first and third to the Player's hand, the second and fourth to the Banker's hand.
The point total of both hands is presented below. If either hand totals 8 or 9, each of these numbers is called a "Natural", then no additional cards are dealt. The winning hand is the one with a point total closest to 9. When both hands have equal totals, a "Tie" is declared.
Depending on the points accumulated by each hand after the initial draw, the Dealer may need to deal a third card. It is drawn face up, first to the Player's hand and then, if necessary, to the Banker's hand. No more than one additional card per hand may be dealt. The drawing of the third card is governed by the following fixed rules.
