Baccarat can be learned very quickly and is based on only two hands, the Player versus the Banker, no matter how many bettors actually participate. The game of Baccarat is extremely popular in both land-based and online casinos due to it's simplicity and fast pace.
OBJECTIVE
Player and Banker both receive 2 cards to start, with the possibility of receiving a 3rd card. Each time the total of the cards reaches 10, the count is reduced to 0 and restarted. For example, a hand of 8+6 = 14, but the 10 is dropped, totaling a hand of 4. The closest hand to 9 is the winner, however, bettors may wager on either the Banker, the Player or a Tie. Bettors may also choose to wager on either the Banker or the Player, with another wager on a Tie.
Note that a winning wager on the Banker will incur a 5% charge, as the house has slightly better odds of winning (as always). This means that if a bettor places $1 on the Banker and wins, the bettor will receive his original $1 bet back, plus $.95 winnings ($1 minus 5% of the wager).
CARD VALUES
Ace = 1
10 and Face Cards = 10
2-9 = Their respective numerical value
GAMEPLAY
Player and Banker are each dealt 2 cards face up in a clockwise fashion.
If either the Banker or Player have a total hand of 8 or 9, both will stand and the higher hand wins, unless there is a tie, in which case Tie Bets win.
If the Player's hand totals 6 or 7, both Player and Banker must stand. Winning bets go to the closest hand to 9, or a tie.
If the player's hand totals 0-5, he must take a 3rd card.
If the Player has taken a 3rd card, the Banker must adhere to strict rules which determine whether or not the Banker will take a 3rd card. The rules are as follows:
-If Banker's Hand Totals 1, 2 or 3 and Player's 3rd Card is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 or 10 (anything but 8), the Banker must take a 3rd card.
-If Banker's Hand Totals 4 and Player's 3rd Card is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, the Banker must take a 3rd card.
-If Banker's Hand Totals 5 and Player's 3rd Card is 4, 5, 6 or 7, the Banker must take a 3rd card.
-If Banker's Hand Totals 6 and Player's 3rd Card is 6 or 7, the Banker must take a 3rd card.
-If Banker's Hand Totals 7, the Banker must Stand, regardless of the Players 3rd card.
-Any other scenario, the Banker must Stand.
Do you enjoy live baccarat? Well you no longer need to drive to a land based casino to play this game, there are actually online casinos with real live dealer games.
BETTING AND PAYOUTS
Players have 3 options on which they may bet - Banker, Player or Tie.
Player - Pays 1 to 1: A bet that the Player's hand will be closest to 9.
Dealer - Pays 1 to 1 (minus a 5% house-charge if Banker wins): A bet that the Banker's hand will be closest to 9.
Tie - Pays 8 to 1: A bet that the Banker's and Player's hands will Tie.
