Baccarat, which is also called Punto Banco, is a popular casino game that is played both in online and brick and mortar casinos. The game is purely one of chance, and though there are some variations that allow some use of skill, the version that is most commonly played does not require the player to possess any special skills, and the cards that are dealt to the player dictate his/her next moves. For this reason, Baccarat is a simple game and only requires an understanding of the rules for a player to play the game.
The outcome of a game of Baccarat can be one of three things. The player can win the game, the banker can win the game, and very rarely there is a tie. In this context, the terms player and banker refer to the different kinds of wagers that are placed at the table and have no connection with either the dealer or the actual players.
The object of the game is for either the player or the banker to hold a “Natural”, or the highest total close to a Natural. A Natural refers to a total of either 8 or 9. The cards in this game are counted at face value, and the face cards (King, Queen and Jack) have no value. The number 10 also is valued at zero for the purpose of this game and Ace is worth 1. At the start of the game both the banker and the dealer are dealt two cards each. The cards of each are then totaled, and if either of them holds a Natural, the game ends. If neither holds a natural, then they can choose to draw another card, and the cards are re-totaled. The highest total wins.
