Probably best known as the favourite casino game of James Bond, baccara is a card game of skill and is strikingly similar to Blackjack in a couple of ways. Both games require a total number or score on the cards dealt. In Blackjack, 21 is required to win. In baccara, 9 is required. In Blackjack you wager after you receive some cards. In baccara, you place your bet before your cards are dealt. In Blackjack you play against the Dealer. In baccara, you can either wager on the Players, the Dealer, or that the result of the hand will be a Tie.

The object of the game is to correctly pick which hand will have the higher score - You or the Dealer. The highest is 9 and the lowest is 0. You can also place a bet on Tie, which pays 9 to 1. Two cards with a total of 9 are considered a "natural". A total of 8 is the second best hand you can receive. Depending on the total of each hand, a third card may be dealt. If the hand is higher than 5, you are encouraged to stand and, if less, you are encouraged to take a 3rd card. If both your hand and the Dealer's hand ties, and, if you bet on a tie, the jackpot is usually large.

When the Dealer's or the Player's points do not add up to a natural, after the initial two cards are dealt, the following rules apply:

If you get a total of 8 or 9, you must stand. The Dealer must follow this rule as well. If the Player's hand adds up to 6 or more, he/she Stands. If the Player's hand adds up to 5 or less, the Player is dealt another card. If the Dealer's hand adds up to 7 or more, the Dealer must If the Dealer's hand addsup to 0, 1, or 2, the Dealer must take an additional card. If the Player's hand totals 3 and the Player's third card is anything other than an 8, the Dealer will Hit. If the Dealer's hand totals 4 and the Player's third card is not a 1, 8, 9, or 0; then the Dealer will Hit. If the Dealer's hand totals 6, and the player's third card is 6 or 7, the Dealer will hit.

Here's a quick look at a Probabilities Chart, which is a good reference when deciding which baccara game to play. The fewer the decks used in the game, the better your chances of winning. The lowest House Edge occurs when you bet on the Dealer using only 1 deck.

baccara is a very high-stakes game. So although the probabilities are comparatively marginal, every decimal point counts and makes a big difference between winning and losing.

Payouts are very straightforward and easy to grasp. If you bet on a winning player's hand, you'll be paid out at 1 to 1. If you wager on a winning house hand, the payout is also 1 to 1. If you bet on a tie, the payoff is 8 to 1.

Already familiar with the rules of baccara and simply want to play at a secure casino that offers Download and No Download baccara action? Click here to practice playing baccara.

Take a test run using our free online baccara game. Click on the image to place your bets; then click the Deal button. This is a great option especially for beginners.

Learn how to maximize your winning potential with our baccara Strategies.

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