Baccarat is one of the oldest, and perhaps one of the easiest, casino games. It is thought to have originated in France or Italy around the Middle Ages, and has a certain glamour attached to it, as it is the game that James Bond plays in the earlier films... Martini anyone?

The main difference between Baccarat and Blackjack is that the player only makes one decision. Before the hands are dealt, all you have to decide is which hand will win - the player, the dealer or will it be a tie? There are two hands dealt into the middle of the table, one for the player, dealt first and one for the dealer, dealt second. The object of the game is to predict, prior to dealings, which hand will be closest to the points goal of nine.

The three betting options;

1 - Dealer gets closer to points value of nine
2 - Player gets closer to points value of nine
3 - Both hands have the same points value and the game is tied.

Any combination of the above can be wagered on but a tie game has the highest payout of 9 to 1.

Values: All face cards and tens have a value of zero, aces have a value of one and all others are taken at face value.

Rules: Once each player has decided which outcome they are betting on, the Player and Dealer are dealt two cards, face up. Player acts first and if the cards equal more than nine, ten is subtracted from the total. For example;

¢ 5+6 = 11 - the score is 1
¢ 9+6 = 15 - the score is 5
¢ 10+9 = 19 - the score is 9 and is called a 'natural'

Third Card Rules
No hand receives more than three cards, if the players hand totals:
¢ 0-5 Players hand must draw
¢ 6-7 Players hand must stand
¢ 8-9 a 'natural' and both hands stand.

When the Player has acted on a third card draw, Dealer receives a card according to the following:

¢ 0-2 Bankers hand must draw
¢ 3-6 Players third card determines draw or stand
¢ 7 Bankers hand must stand.