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Baccarat – Introduction

Baccarat is one of the oldest casino card games to still be in existence, and has a reputation for being a glamorous game for wealthy gamblers. You can learn more about why it has gained this reputation on our History of Baccarat page.

Now, however, baccarat has become a much more accessible game, particularly with the introduction of new versions which don’t require high stakes and the popularity of online casinos, so don’t be put off. Baccarat can be a fun game for anyone, and it’s very easy to learn how to play it.

The aim of baccarat is to form a hand of cards that has a point value of closer to 9 than the point value of the dealer’s cards. You bet on which of the two hands dealt (the banker’s or the player’s) you think has a value closest to 9. You can also choose to bet on a tie.

There are a number of variations of baccarat. One of the most common is Baccarat Punto, which is also known as Punto Banco, American Baccarat or Nevada Baccarat. A more recent variation is Mini Baccarat, which has become popular because it is quicker to play and has lower table limits.

If you have never played baccarat before, our How To Play Baccarat page will give you basic information about the game, its rules and the types of bet you can place. Our Baccarat Glossary will also help you to understand some of the terms you may come across when learning to play baccarat.

Although baccarat is largely a game of chance, there are some strategies that you can employ to enhance your chance of winning. If you want to know more, take a look at our Baccarat Hints and Tips page.

You can play baccarat either in a real casino or you can play virtual baccarat in an online casino. If you play it in a real casino you are most likely to play Baccarat Punto, whereas online casinos tend to offer Mini Baccarat instead. For more information, have a look at our Where To Play Baccarat and Top Baccarat Sites pages.

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