Online Baccarat is even more popular than before for apparent reasons. Unlike other card games where you wager after you receive some cards, in Baccarat you place your bet before your cards are even dealt and not during game-play. Amazing, isn't it?

In the game of Baccarat, there are two hands dealt - one is termed the "banker" hand and the other is the "player" hand. Each hand holds either two or three cards. The winning hand is determined by checking to see which hand has a value that is closest to 9. The objective of Baccarat is to predict whether the banker's hand or the player's hand will be closest to 9. Tens and face cards count as zero while aces count as one. The hand with the highest point value wins

The dealer handles the draw of cards according to specific rules. The player has no choice or decisions to make during the game. But the player must make two decisions before each hand is dealt, first, the selection of the position they believe will win the next hand, and secondly, determining the amount of the wager.

The House then banks all bets, and collects or makes payouts on each hand that is dealt. But one should be well familiar with the rules to gain maximum from the game.

However, it is a good idea to be familiar with the rules, as it will heighten the enjoyment of the game. It is very exciting to anticipate the turn of a card. Overall, Baccarat is one of the best and most exciting games for the bettor.

The rules of Baccarat are really simple. It is played with a single standard deck of 52 cards. Each Baccarat game begins with the dealer dealing 4 cards: 2 each for the house and the player. The player and the dealer both start with hands of two cards. The player always receives his cards before the house. Each must get as close to a total of 9 as possible. Hands in Baccarat can only total up to 9 as the cards are valued as:

a. Number card - valued at their face value

b. Aces - valued at 1

c. Picture cards - valued at 10.

If you have bet on the player you have the option of viewing his cards in one of three ways. You do this by clicking on TOSS, QUICK or SIDE. If you bet on the banker, you can only view his cards via the SIDE view.

When a hand is dealt the cards are added together. If the total is more than ten, the ten is simply removed from the total. As an example, of you are dealt a six and seven, the total is 13, and after removing the 10, your hand is left with a total of three.

The best hand in Baccarat is a Natural, which means that the two cards that you are dealt add up to 9. This hand wins automatically unless you have a tie with the other player who also has a Natural

If there is no clear winner with the first round, the player and the dealer are each given an extra card to determine the winner. If there is a tie, all bets are left on the table and players can choose to continue the best for the next game. They can also have the option of removing their bets.

Then according to the standard baccarat rules, a third card may be dealt to the player and/or the banker. Go through the rules below:

* If a player's initial hand adds up to 6 or greater - he/she must stand and will not receive additional cards.

*If a player's initial hand adds up to 5 or less - the player is dealt an additional card.

* If the House hand adds up to 7 or more - the house must stand.

*If the House hand adds up to 0, 1 or 2 - the house must take an additional card.

* If the House hand adds up to a total of 3, and the player's third card is anything other than an 8) - the house will hit.

* If the House hand adds up to a total of 4, and the player's third card is anything other than 1, 8, 9, or 0 the house will hit.

* House hand totals 5, and the player is dealt a 4, 5, 6, or 7 - the house will hit.

* Finally, if the house hand totals 6, and the player's third card is 6 or 7, the house will hit.

Player

Point value of first two cards:

0-1-2-3-4-5 Draws a card

6-7 Stands

8-9 "Natural hand", no further draw

Banker

Point value of first two cards

Draws when the player's third card is

Does not draw when the player's third card is

0-1-2

Always draws a card - 3 0-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-9

8 4 2-3-4-5-6-7

0-1-8-9 5 4-5-6-7

0-1-2-3-8-9 6 6-7

0-1-2-3-4-5-8-9 7 Always stands

- 8-9 Player cannot draw

Player cannot draw

A successful bet on the player pays 1:1, a successful bet on the banker pays 1:1 less 5% commission and a successful bet on a tie pays 8:1. It is penchant.

Baccarat is basically a game of chance and therefore there is little you can do to change the course of the game. But the decisions you make during the game can certainly alter he course of the game and maximize your chances of winning.

As most of the Casinos online offer both practice and professional Baccarat games, it's a good idea to take lots of practice games to gain more confidence. The bank does have a slight edge which is why 5% commission is deducted from a successful bet.

The particular Baccarat strategy of the "1-3-2-6" system, 'works' with this game as it ensures even-money payouts. For this, you need to keep track of your bets over the course of four rounds of Baccarat game play. To begin, bet one unit (a unit can be $1, $10, $50, whatever) and if you win that round, then in the next round add another unit to your winnings and bet that amount (a total of 3 units). Now, if you win this round you will have a total of 6 units. According to the system, in the 3rd round you should take away four units and only bet two.

You can also maximize your wins by playing Baccarat with single decks which offer the best mathematical return (about 1% house edge) for the banker bet. Smart gamblers do not bet on the tie. No matter how enticing it may seem, the Tie is NOT a great option. With the above Baccarat strategy in a nutshell, make the best use of it. Like we said, no 'system' is ever foolproof. Practice a lot before playing with real money.

Baccarat is a game for those who like the excitement of betting and anticipating each twist and turn in the game. Baccarat just about offers the most attractive odds of any casino game. Although it is basically a game of chance, the little decisions you take will require skill and practice. Your decisions will certainly change the course of the game. Following the particular Baccarat strategy of the "1-3-2-6" system, 'works' with this game as it ensures even-money payouts. Take full advantage of both practice and professional games which most of the online casinos offer. You will not only gain more confidence, but will play with better strategy and enhance your winnings.