Baccarat: The game of course! A count of zero (0).

Burning the top cards: The practice of dealing the top 3 to 6 cards and discarding them after shuffling before starting play.

Caller: The croupier at the baccarat table that handles the cards.

Commission: The cut (usually 5 percent) that the house takes on winning bank bets.

Coup: bet.

Croupiers: Casino employees who deal the cards, and supervise the betting.

Fading: Placing bets.

La Grande: ("the big one") a natural with a total of nine (9).

La Petite: ("the little one") a natural with a total of eight (8).

Loss bet: A bet against the house.

Muck: The 416 cards (8 decks of 52 cards) used, at the beginning of the shuffling process.

Natural: A count of eight (8) or nine (9).

Palette: A long thin wooden paddle that enable thee seated croupiers to transact business at the far reaches of the table.

Pass: Win.

Push: A bet on a hand that ends up a tie. Such bets neither win or lose, and the money simply sits there for the next hand. (unless tie bets are allowed).

Shills: Employees of the casino (usually young good looking women) who play at a table only to attract other players to the table.

Shoe: An automatic dealing device that eliminates any accidents in the dealing.

Shooter: Another term for the bank.

Remember Baccarat is a game of chance that requires minimal skill. However it is always useful to keep the following chart in mind. It illustrates the best course of action depending on the player?s or banker?s score.

H - Hit   S- Stand

Banker's Score	Player's Third Card
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
7	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
6	S	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	S	S
5	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	S	S
4	S	S	H	H	H	H	H	H	S	S
3	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	S	H
2	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
1	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
0	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H

You can even leave this window open in the background when you play online, or our Free Baccarat game.

Knowing the House Edge
Except for the tie bet, baccarat is one of the best bets in the casino. The following table shows the house edge on all available bets. Usually a tie will pay 8:1 but sometimes will pay 9:1.

Probabilities in 8-deck Baccarat
Bet	Combinations	Probability	House Edge
Bank	2,292,252,566,437,888	45.86%	1.06%
Player	2,230,518,282,592,256	44.62%	1.24%
Tie	475,627,426,473,216	9.52%	14.36%

Note: If the tie bet pays 9:1 the house edge on that bet drops to 4.80%.

One and Six Deck Baccarat
Real Time Gaming online casino's offer a six-deck baccarat game, and Microgaming online casino's offer a single deck game.

The fewer the decks the lower the house edge on the banker bet and the greater the house edge on the player and tie bets. The following tables show the specific numbers.

Probabilities in 6-deck Baccarat
Bet	Combinations	Probability	House Edge
Bank	403,095,751,234,560	45.87%	1.06%
Player	392,220,492,728,832	44.63%	1.24%
Tie	83,552,962,932,288	9.51%	14.44%

Probabilities in single deck Baccarat
Bet	Combinations	Probability	House Edge
Bank	6,737,232,640	45.96%	1.01%
Player	6,548,674,432	44.68%	1.29%
Tie	1,372,227,328	9.36%	15.75%

There are three present-day games that are essentially the same and sometimes all thought of as baccarat. They are:

1. Chemin de fer:
This game is played in some European casinos, but is not played in the U.K. and North America. The goal is the same (to get as close to 9 as possible) but the rules allow a few conditions where drawing a card is optional. The casino doesn't play the role of banker, the players bet against each other, the players take turns being the banker-dealer (the option may be declined, and it then passes to the next player to the right) the house takes a standard cut out of the player banker's winning coup.

2. Baccarat:
This game is the only game played in the U.K. and North America. The goal is the same (to get as close to 9 as possible) however the game is strictly mechanical with formal rules dictating every aspect of play. The house banks the game, thus the bets can be much larger than when another player is acting as the bank, also with the house assuming the role of banker the game can be played with as few as one player (in chemin de fer you have to wait for additional players before the game can start).

3. Mini-baccarat:
A new version of the game. The game is played at a blackjack sized table with up to seven players. The rules are the same as for the full version of baccarat, however to speed up the game the players don't touch the cards they are dealt by the casino dealer. The stakes are much lower for this game than the full version, this plus the less formal atmosphere make this version appeal to many players.

Baccarat is one of the easiest games in all of gambling to learn and requires little practice or skill for participants to be successful at winning. Players simply wager on which of two hands of cards adds up to or comes closest to 9.

* Baccarat is played with eight decks of cards. Each numbered card less than ten is worth its face value, aces are worth 1, and tens and face cards are worth 0. The suit does not matter.
* Play begins by all players betting either on the 'player', 'banker', or a tie. Player and banker are in quotes because that is the correct terminology but they do not necessarily represent the dealer or the actual players.
* After all bets are down 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 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 or may not be dealt to either or both the player and the dealer depending on the following rules.
o If either the player or the banker has a total of an 8 or a 9 they both stand. This rule overrides all other rules.
o If the player's total is 5 or less then the player hits, otherwise the player stands.
o If the player stands, then the banker hits on a total of 5 or less.
* The score of the player and dealer are compared, the winner is the one which is greater. Winning bets on the banker pay 19 to 20 (or even money less a 5% commission), winning bets on the player pay 1 to 1, winning bets on a tie usually pay 8 to 1.

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The actual origin of baccarat is lost in history, however some historians claim that there is no reliable record of the game before the middle of the nineteenth century, and the game originated in Italy. The game is thought to be a spin-off of the French game "vingt-et-un" (twenty-one), the game we know as blackjack. It is similar in is a card game where the goal is to get as close as possible to a set number without exceeding it.

The word baccarat is derived from the Italian "baccarat" that means zero. The term refers to the face game cards and 10s, all of which have zero value in the game. It's been suggested that the game was first played with a deck of Tarot cards in the middle ages. It was later on introduced in France around 1490 A.D. and remained an exclusive game to the French nobility for some time before becoming a casino game. In Europe, baccarat and a similar version called "chemin de fer" are some of the most popular casino games.

According to many, the game was first invented in Italy by a gambler Felix Falguiere. He is said to have based the game on an old Etruscan ritual of the nine gods, who prayed to a blonde virgin on their tiptoes waiting for her to throw a nine-sided die. The result of the die decided her fate. If an eight or a nine was thrown, she would become the priestess; if she threw a six or seven, she would be banned from any further religious activities; if she threw any number less than six, she would walk into the sea. The basis of this game is very similar, but the rules and payoffs are much less dramatic.

Since baccarat's introduction in Nevada casinos, the game has assumed an aura of glamour. In most casinos, baccarat is played in a roped-off area. The intention was to attract the high roller, or the more sophisticated moneyed player. With the tuxedo-clad dealers, there is an air of elegance to the game.

Baccarat is played in a snooty roped off area to separate itself from the other games at a land based casino. Concentration there is of course difficult, making online Baccarat an ideal choice.

The players are usually very well dressed and the table minimums are often high. The regular baccarat table is about the size of a craps table with 3 casino dealers and up to 12 or 14 players. Each player, including the player dealing, may still bet on either the player or the banker but it is customary for the dealer to bet on the banker.

However, for all the enchantment, baccarat is primarily a simple game. There are no decisions or options; no degree of skill is required for either player or dealer. Players may sit in any open seat at the table, seating position does not affect the play in any manner. Each seat corresponds to a number on the layout, one through 15. Three dealers service each table. The dealer standing between positions one and 15 is known as the "caller." He runs the game as cards are dealt from a box named "the shoe".

Each player gets a turn to handle the shoe. The player must bet the bank when he has the shoe, but any player may decline the shoe and it passes right along from player to player. Again, there is no advantage or disadvantage in dealing the cards, it is merely a formality and part of the ambience that some players enjoy.

The caller receives the cards from the player with the shoe, places them in the appropriate boxes and then calls for another card or declares the winner, according to the rigid rules of the game.

Players bet by placing their chips in the numbered box opposite their seat. Bets may be made on the player or bank, and both are paid off at even money. In most games: bets range from a $20 minimum to $2,000 maximum. After the winner is announced; the two other dealers at the table pay off the winning bets and collect from the losers. If the bank was the winner, players who won must pay a 5% commission on their winnings. Thus, if a player had a $100 bet on the bank and it won, $5 would be owed to the house. Rather than collecting this after each game, a record of what is owed by each player is kept in a numbered box just opposite where the two payoff dealers sit. Player pay the accumulated amount after the finish of a shoe. Each time the shoe is depleted of cards, all eight decks are thoroughly shuffled and replaced in the shoe.

The deal will rotate around the table, much like the dice rotate around the craps table. If a player does not want to deal they may pass 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 out of the dealer's tray. The player who actually deals is not assuming any financial responsibility of the other players bets, unlike pai gow, and is just turning over cards.

Because baccarat is played around the globe, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that there are several popular variations. The object of the game is always to bet on the hand that comes closest to 9 points.

Other elements of the game can vary from version to version:

* Number of players at the table
* Table size and layout
* Number of decks
* Who serves as banker and controls the shoe
* Who controls the action (finances the game)
* Whether or not there is a cap on the sum of all players’ bets for a round
* Drawing rules
* Odds and payouts

Mini Baccarat
Mini baccarat, popular in the United States, is almost identical to American baccarat. The table is smaller than the American baccarat table, approximately the size of a blackjack table. It accommodates only seven players. Instead of a crew of three, a lone croupier mans the table, attending to all game details. The croupier controls the shoe at all times, and acts as the banker for all hands.

Mini baccarat lacks the sense of exclusivity of the other variations and provides a less intimidating atmosphere. You won’t find mini baccarat behind velvet ropes in a far corner of the casino. You’ll find it up front and center, right in the middle of the casino floor along with the other games.

Mini baccarat is accessible to the rest of us. Dress is casual, and minimum bets usually start at $5.

Chemin de fer
Chemin de fer is French for railroad, and this version is the French national baccarat treasure. It can also be found in some casinos throughout the rest of Europe, but not in North America. Chemin de fer requires a minimum of two players. The major difference is that the casino does not fund the action. Instead of betting on either the banker or the player, you are the banker, the player, or a wagering spectator in each hand. The banker deals two hands, and the players bet against one another for the privilege of "playing" the player hand. Players can pass on controlling the shoe and the action. Hit and stand rules also differ from the American version, providing more flexibility.

European Baccarat
As the name suggests, this version is popular in Europe and can be found in most of the European casinos. Like Chemin de fer, the banker finances the game, and the game cap is determined by the banker. For example, if the cap is $2000, and the first player bets $1000 followed by another player betting $500, no more bets are allowed for that hand. If a player wants to wager the entire cap, he or she says, "banco." Caps are usually much smaller than they are in versions funded by the house.

Baccarat en Banque
You’ll find Baccarat en Banque in some European casinos. The casino funds the action, and the game only requires one player present at the table. Baccarat en Banque differs from all other versions: the banker deals three hands, a banker’s hand and two players’ hands. Players bet on one of the two players’ hands, but not on the banker’s hand. There are no set drawing rules; instead, they vary according to the dealer.

Punto Banco
This version is similar to American baccarat. It is available in Europe and it comes in two versions: punto banco and mini punto banco.

Before you raise an eyebrow or two, wondering how online casino strategies have anything to do the online casino game of Baccarat, which is a game of chance, take this into consideration: strategies are still possible even if skill has nothing to do with it. Because in the end, Baccarat at the online casinos is a game of odds and you should know how to handle the different variations. Our first Baccarat tip is a bet on the banker. This is the bet that offers you the best odds of winning. Your chance of winning a banker bet is 44.61%. This makes a banker bet the best Baccarat bet for the gambler to make, and it still holds strong even though the casino will charge you a 5% commission on winning banker bets.

Online casino Baccarat is a game which allows many winners in the short run but beware of the long run! Quit while you're ahead because continuous play at online casino Baccarat is exactly what these games of chance are all about. Skill can keep you going for a while, but along a lengthy period of time, games like Baccarat at the online casinos will never allow you to walk away as a winner.

There are online casinos out there that offer the chance to bet on a tie, keep in mind that this is the worst bet at the Baccarat table. Here the online casino has a 14% advantage at a tie bet when the tie pays odds of 1 to 8. The odds here sometimes vary, but the bottom line is that it is not a recommended bet. Remember - quit while you're ahead, because walking away with a smile and a few dollars is better then, well, walking away without them.

Manage Your Money - Don’t Let IT Manage You

Before you step foot behind the velvet ropes, sidle up to a mini baccarat table, or click that first chip online, determine your bankroll for the session. Know exactly how much money you are willing to lose before you begin playing. Sounds easy, right? If you can gamble only what you can afford to lose, set limits, and adhere to those limits, you can gamble responsibly. Resist the siren’s call to action, "just one more hand," at all costs

What if you’re on a winning streak? When you luck into a winning streak, don’t give back all your gains to the house. Massive fortunes are won and lost at baccarat, and it might just happen to you. When you’ve been lucky enough to experience a windfall, pocket a portion of your winnings to take home or to withdraw from your online account and just do it. If you win, it’s equally important to walk away a winner.

Right Pocket, Left Pocket

Manage your money in the following manner to guarantee that you leave the table with some money:

1. Place your bankroll for a session in your left pocket.
2. Play only with money in your left pocket.
3. When you win, place ? of your winnings in your right pocket.
4. When your left pocket is empty, take a break or quit.

Money Conservation "Systems"

We’ve already established that systems don’t work with baccarat. However, many baccarat aficionados apply some of the systems that are widely used in other casino games such as roulette and blackjack as a money-management technique in baccarat. You might consider incorporating one of the systems below into your overall money management system. Don’t expect to win with any system, but it’s not unreasonable to use a system to your advantage in conserving your bankroll and extending the amount of time you can play with your bankroll. Establish your own pattern or system and combine it with money management.

Martingale

The Martingale system is one of the oldest and most popular betting systems. The system was devised for even-money games, and while it was devised for roulette, it has also been adapted for blackjack and baccarat.

The Martingale Premise

The premise stems from the law of averages, which states that on 50/50 bet, 50% of the time one outcome is probable, while the other 50% of the time, the opposite outcome is probable. Sooner or later, if you can afford to keep gambling and increasing your bet, you will end up even plus $1. Of course, this may be difficult in baccarat, because the minimum bet in mini baccarat is the casinos is $5. This system works best if you can find a $1 table online.

The Martingale System

Use Martingale only when you bet on the player or the banker. After you lose an even-money bet, double your bet until you win. When you win, you will have won a total of $1, as illustrated in the table below:

Hand #	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Your bet (previous bet x2)	$1	$2	$4	$8	$16	$32	$64	$128	$256	$512
Banker or Player	Banker	Banker	Banker	Banker	Banker	Banker	Banker	Banker	Banker	Player
Result	-$1	-$2	-$4	-$8	-$16	-$32	-$64	-$128	-$256	+$512
Accumulated result	-$1	-$3	-$7	-$15	-$31	-$63	-$127	-$255	-$511	+$1

The Martingale Pitfall

Players often exceed their bankroll before hitting a winning hand.

Paroli

The Paroli system ups the ante-when you’re winning. It takes advantage of hot streaks on even-money bets. Use this system only when you’re betting with the banker or the player (which you should be doing most of the time, if not all of the time). The Paroli system’s objective is to cut your losses quickly and let your winnings ride. Remember that this system applies only to even-money bets.

1. When you win, double your next wager.
2. When you lose, bet the same amount as the last wager.

The Paroli Pitfall

Players often exceed their bankroll before hitting a winning hand.