Baccarat history and the basics of Baccarat

Baccarat is considered to be one of Europe's most popular casino games. Baccarat comes from the Italian word Baccarat meaning zero. In the 1500's the French nobles chose this game over many others. Baccarat has an air of distinction associated to it. The famous James Bond movies depicted Baccarat as a game favored by Millionaires.

Baccarat Card Values:

Numbered cards have their face value. 10, Jack, Queen and King count as 0. Ace counts as 1. If the value of your cards is more than ten, you subtract 10. So an 8 and 4 hand totals 12; after subtracting 10 you have 2.

Baccarat Game Play:

You draw two cards, as does the banker. If either you or the banker totals 8 or 9, both of you automatically stand. If your total is 6 or 7, you stand. If you stand, the banker hits on a total of 5 or less. If your total is 5 or less, you automatically hit and receive a third card from the banker. If you receive a third card, the banker draws a third card, according to these rules:

• When the banker's hand totals 0,1,2: banker always draws a third card
• When the banker's hand totals 3: banker draws if your third card is 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-9-0, the 8 is not included
• When the banker's hand totals 4: banker draws if your third card is 2-3-4-5-6-7
• When the banker's hand totals 5: banker draws if your third card is 4-5-6-7
• When the banker's hand totals 6: banker draws if your third card is 6-7
• When the banker's hand totals 7: banker stands
• After the final cards are dealt, the side with the total closest to 9 wins

Baccarat Betting:

• Bet on your own hand (Player) and you face a house edge of 1.24%
• Bet on the Banker's hand and the edge is either 0.6% if there's a 4%
• House cut or 1.06% is their cut is 5%
• Finally there's the Tie bet which at best gives the house almost a 5% edge (Pay 8:1) and at worst 14+% (Pay 9:1)
• Forget the Tie bet for obvious reasons
• Unless you can find a game with 4% via on Banker bets, betting Player or Banker is moot point