BACCARAT

Table Games Blackjack Let It Ride Super 7 1/2 Craps Baccarat Big 6 Money Wheel Spanish 21 Roulette Pai-Gow Back to the beginning

No game seems to draw attention like Baccarat, and no wonder. Usually the area where Baccarat is played, is roped off, the dealers wear tuxedos, it¹s eerily quiet, and the décor of the playing area and demeanor of the players all spell W-E-A-L-T-H.

It is a game where not only big money is bet, but a game that can determine whether a casino has a profitable week or month. Baccarat also gives the impression to gambling novices that it is a game that probably takes years of study to master. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Baccarat is not only a simple game to learn, but is a good game to play if you like a low house edge and something that doesn't involve any strategy decisions.

Two hands are dealt and you bet which one will win, or that they will tie. It is almost like betting on the toss of a coin.

The rules and house edge are the same in baccarat as mini-baccarat; the differences are in the manner of play.

THE PLAY:

Regular baccarat is usually played in a separate casino area with high minimum bets. The playing table is about the size of a craps table with three casino dealers and up to 12 or 14 players.

Each player, including the player dealing, may bet on either the player or the banker, but it is customary for the dealer to bet on the banker.

The deal will rotate around the table, much like the dice rotate around the craps table. Players may opt not to deal, passing the shoe to the next player. The same person will keep dealing as long as the banker keeps winning.

The person dealing will put two cards, face down, tucked under the shoe, and give the player with the greatest bet on the player, the other two cards, face down.

This player then looks at the cards and then gives them back to the player who is dealing.

Then the player who is dealing will turn over the cards and one of the casino dealers will announce the totals.

Depending on the totals the dealer may then instruct the person dealing the cards to deal a third card. Finally, the dealers will pay winning wagers and collect losing ones.

The player who actually deals is not assuming any financial responsibility of the other players' bets, and is just turning over cards.

MINI-BACCARAT:

Mini-baccarat is played in the regular casino area on a table about the size of a blackjack table. The dealer controls everything, resulting in a larger number of hands being dealt per hour.

THE RULES:

Baccarat is played from an eight-deck shoe. Cards less than 10 are counted at face value, aces are worth 1, and 10s and face cards are worth 0. Suits don't matter.

Play begins by players betting either on the 'player', 'banker', or a tie.

The dealer gives two cards each to the player and the banker. The score of the hand is the right digit of the total of the cards. (For example, if the two cards dealt were an 8 and 7, then the total would be 15, and the score would be a 5.)

The scores will always range from 0 to 9 and it is impossible to bust.

A third card may be dealt to either or both the player and the dealer depending on these conditions: