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Baccarat, specifically the punto banco or mini-baccarat variation, is quickly becoming a must-have fixture among the best online casino gambling games. A quick perusal of the top online gambling sites will show that baccarat can be found almost as often as fellow casino classics such as blackjack or roulette. Given the availability of software for free online gambling, players can feel free to experiment with a game that they may have avoided in the past.

Associated with high-roller glamour, baccarat may seem intimidating to players, especially as a brief glimpse of baccarat strategy may give the impression of confusing and counter-intuitive rules. At its heart, however, baccarat is essentially a simple wager between two “opponents”, whose final score is determined solely by the deal of the cards. Imagine being spectator of a round of blackjack, and betting on either the dealer or the player  before the first deal.

In baccarat, cards are worth 0 to 9 points and the ‘tens’ place is always dropped; therefore, the 10 is worth zero, as are the face cards. The other numbered cards retain their value, and an Ace is always worth 1 point. The highest total wins the round.

Two sets of dealt cards, the “player” and the “banker”, are the object of the bets (though it is also common to bet on ties). The croupier deals the first two cards to each side; the card totals determine if a further card needs to be dealt (i.e., “hit” or “stand”).

A “natural” (8 or 9) immediately ends the round (similar to a “blackjack” in that game). If no naturals occur, the “Player” hand will be completed first, and this will determine what will be done with the “Banker” to finish the round (again, similar to the game of blackjack).

If the Player’s first two cards total 6 or 7, the Player will stand and the Banker will either hit (if the Banker’s total is 0-5), or stand (if the total is 6-7).

If the Player’s first two cards total 0-5, the Player will hit for another card; the card that is dealt will then determine whether the Banker will hit or stand:

• If the Player’s card is an Ace or 9 – K, the Banker hits on 0-3, and stands on 4-7.
• If the Player’s card is 2 or 3, the Banker hits on 0-4, and stand on 5-7.
• If 4 or 5, the Banker hits on 0-5, and stands on 6-7.
• If 6 or 7, the Banker hits on 0-6, and stands on 7 (Banker always stands on 7).
• If the Player’s card is an 8, the Banker hits on 0-2, and stands on 3-7.

If this is starting to seem confusing to you, simply try a few rounds of baccarat at one of our recommended online casinos. They offer free games, so you can get comfortable with the rule and flow of the game at your own pace, with no risk.