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Online Baccarat

Introduction

Baccarat has always enjoyed a decidedly glamorous image. In Las Vegas, the game is often played in special rooms that are roped off from the regular casino. Typically, a baccarat room is occupied by beautiful women (employed by the casinos to attract players) and high rollers, who frequently bet thousands of dollars for endless hours of play. Baccarat dealers sometimes wear tuxedos, giving the game an additional air of exclusivity.

While the game attracts many notable high rollers, especially from Asian countries, it has simultaneously scared off less affluent players, who view the game as overly sophisticated. Although baccarat may seem intimidating to those unfamiliar with the rules, it is, in fact, one of the easiest casino games to play. There is only one decision you have to make for each hand, and the dealers handle the rest, playing out the hands according to strict, predetermined rules.

Some casinos also offer a game called mini-baccarat, which actually has the exact same rules as regular baccarat. The only real difference is that mini-baccarat requires only one dealer, and the bets are typically made in much smaller denominations.

In addition, baccarat and, to a lesser extent, mini-baccarat, have a lot of glamour-appeal to many people; the sharply-turned out dealers and serious pit-bosses help to ensure this image.

The table


Baccarat Table

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. 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.


Mini-baccarat Table