Baccarat

Baccarat is the French or Italian word for zero, and this game is probably the oldest of all card games played in casinos today. Introduced in Italy, this popular game spread through France and England to North America.

For anyone who doesn't want to stretch themselves mentally, baccarat is the game for you. Also known as punto blanco in North America, this simple game involves a choice of three bets - bet on the house, bet on the player, or bet for a draw. Variations exist with versions of mini baccarat becoming more common in casinos around the world. Mini baccarat offers a lower minimum bet, which brings it more within the affordability range of most non-millionaires. This version is also played a lot faster.

The target score for a baccarat hand is nine points. Players decide their betting amount and then wager on the house (dealer), player, or a draw (tie). If the player bets on player, and his card total exceeds the dealer's total, then the player wins. If the player bets on the dealer, and his card total exceeds the player's, then the player wins. A tie win occurs if the player bets on tie, and player and dealer hold the same card point count.

Game play summary:

• Dealer vs. player format
• Cards dealt face down
• Two cards to dealer, two to player
• Further cards dealt according to draw table
• Face cards and 10-spot cards count as zero
• Point total of 9 ("Le Grande") is top, 8 second best, and so on...
• Bet on dealer gives best odds, bet on player next best, bet on tie, worst odds