How to Play Baccarat: An Introduction to the Game

Are you interested in learning how to play baccarat? Let us give you a quick 114 on how to play baccarat so you can start enjoying the game. Baccarat is a popular casino game both in its land-based version and its online form.

Before learning how to play baccarat, you must learn its history. The game is known to have originated in either France or Italy on the ruling and dominance of a king, Charles VIII of France, who ruled in 1483 to 1498. Playing baccarat is the same as playing the game of Faro or Basset.

There are three official variations of the game. There is the deux tableaux or the baccarat banque; the chemin de fer and the North American version of the baccarat called the punto banco.

The North American version of baccarat is purely based on the game of luck and chance. One doesn’t need any kind of skill or strategy to play the game as each of the gamers' move is forced and totally based in the cards that the player is given.

On the other hand, deux tableaux and chemin de fer have the element of skill injected in the games as the gamer can make choices and not everything relies on the card he is dealt with.

How to play baccarat is really quite simple with three things to remember – the player, banker and tie are the three factors that affect the possible results. The term player and the term banker are not titles that describe the player or gamer and the house or the dealer, rather, the term is just something which the casino customer can put their bet on.

How to Play Baccarat: The North American Version Punto Banco

This type of baccarat is played in Canada, Australia, Sweden, US, Macau and Finland and is usually played in land-based casinos. A player has the option to either bet for the player or the banker. These are just two ways to go for the hand dealt and are not related to the player or the house. This version of the game in some countries is called “tableau.”

How to play baccarat punto banco style starts when the dealer gives the cards faced down. Two cards is given to the player and the other is given to the banker. After the initial deal, the cards will be turned over and will be added to the croupier calls. (e.g. 3 to the banker, 5 to the player). With these positions, it will be determined if more cards have to be drawn. Depending on the two initial cards dealt, the paler or the banker may get another card called “stand pat.” With the final hand, whoever has the higher total wins the game.