American Baccarat: Learn How to Play

Here you can read about the most common version of the baccarat game offered by both online casinos and land based casinos, which is the American baccarat. Baccarat may have a reputation of a complex and sophisticate game, but in reality, it is actually one of the easiest games to learn how to play. Moreover, American baccarat has a low house edge comparing to other casino games. American baccarat, as well as mini baccarat, house edge is estimated as between 1.17 percent to 1.36.

Most casinos, both land based and online casinos also offer mini baccarat and Chenim de Fer, also known as French baccarat. However, unless it is noted otherwise, baccarat refers to American baccarat. Here you can learn how to play baccarat according including basic American baccarat rules and card ranking.

Unlike other casino table games, baccarat has only two betting options: you can bet on either the player or the banker. The dealer bets on the banker. The object of the American baccarat game is to be dealt a hand that will closest as possible to 9 but not over it. According to baccarat card ranking, ace value is 1; face cards and 10 are valued as 0, and 9-2 worth their face value.

The dealer deals each player two hands. Each hand includes two cards, or a third card in special cases. You bet on which of the two hands that were dealt wins. You can also bet on a tie. In the American baccarat game, if you win you would be paid even money. If you win while betting on the banker, the casino collects about 5 percent of your prize as commission.