Punto Banco is a variation of the European Baccarat, played primarily in North America, Canada and Australia. It is also (along with Sic Bo, Pai Gow and Keno) one of the Big Four Chinese gambling games and, as such, can be found in the separate Asian areas of casinos worldwide.

The big difference between Punto Banco and Baccarat is that there is no opportunity for the player to act as banker. But as explained in this article, that makes little difference to the clued-up gambler.

The aim of the game is to predict whose hand, the Banker's (Banco) or the Player's (Punto), will be closer to the value of nine. You can also bet on the possibility of a tie.

The point values of the cards are very simple to follow. All 10s and picture cards have a value of zero, and all other cards (Ace through 9) are worth their face value (Aces are always worth 1). When the total of two or more cards is greater than 10, the point total is reduced by 10. For example if a hand is dealt an 7 and a 5, resulting in a total of 12, 10 is subtracted, leaving a point total of 2 for that hand.

The important point to bear in mind when playing Punto Banco is that winning depends on the hand you bet on, not the hand you play.

If the hand that you bet on wins, you are paid double your bet, unless you bet on a tie. If you bet on a tie, the payout is eight times the amount you bet. If you bet on the Banker's hand, and win, the House charges a 5% commission.

If you bet on a hand, and the hand loses, you lose your bet. If you do not bet on a tie, and the hands tie, your bet is returned to you.

A quick look at the odds in Punto Banco will show where the house has its edge - in the 'Tie' bets. Probability states that this bet will win less frequently, and so the pay- out is correspondingly large, with the aim of tempting the player. However, as with most casino games, the two do not exactly match - the odds of 'Tie' winning are 10.5-1, though the payout is only 8 to 1.

The two main bets (Banker and Player) are similar in that their probabilities are equal, though the payouts and house edge differ.

The Banker bet is considered the safest as the house edge is closest to 1%. In all casino games, the house edge is lower only in some bets on craps. The chances of the Banker bet winning are slightly higher than the Player bet, but bear in mind that if the Banker does win, a 5% commission, called the vigorish, will be deducted from your win. For example, if you bet 200 on the Banker, and win, your take will be 390, not 400 as on a 200 Player bet. Despite this, with such a low house edge, the Banker bet is the safest bet in the long run.

The Player bet has a slightly higher house edge, usually around 1.25%. There also is no vigorish, so nothing is deducted from your winnings. There is a margin here for profit for those wishing to take a slightly bigger risk.

Some players find that betting on the Banker seems somehow unnatural, as though they're betting against themself. This probably comes from playing Blackjack, where the player is always trying to beat the banker.

Remember, in Punto Banco, the winner is the one who predicts the winning hand, not the one who plays it.

Whether you use the Tie bet or not comes down to your gambling style. If you're looking to win big, it has to be considered as an option, so long as the rules of our betting strategy are followed:

limit your losses at the outset - decide how many losing bets you're prepared to make in the session;

quit when you're ahead - when the 'Tie' bet wins, pocket your winnings and switch bets or games.

So my recommended strategy for finding the edge in Punto Banco would be to stick with the Banker bet in the main, but occasionally 'test the water' by playing 4 or 5 bets on Tie, always remembering to stop if you're losing and switch back if you're winning.

Andy Follin is a dedicated leisure gambler and author of http://www.fortunepalace.co.uk, a site which explains the rules, odds and strategies of the Big Four Chinese gambling games Punto Banco, Sic Bo, Keno and Pai Gow.. He is also an ardent believer in que sera, sera whatever will be, WILL be.internet casino
Build Make Money Site Web
Great Make Money Online Ways
Make Money From Home Internet Business
This Anger Management Test Site Presents Two Adult Anger Management Tests And Two Juvenile Anger Management
Welcome To Dreamworkdollars Com Get Paid For Your Opinion
Can Make Money Teen Ways
Fast Make Money Online Com
free casino
Hobby Internet Make Money That
Cash Make Money Quick
Gamersinfo Net Xbox Family Guy Video Game
Ways To Make Money As Kid
casino bonus
Free Make Money Now Online
Home Jobs Online Survey Make Money Work At Home
Easy In Make Money Runescape
20 Easy Fast Make Money Ways
Statewide News Service Violent Video Game Legislation Stalled
Cleveland School Shooter Fit Sadly Predictable Profile Bullied Loner From Troubled Home Mtv Music
play casino online
make money from the internet
What S Good About Anger Leader Certificate Training And Resources
Self Help Maintenance Anger Management
I Want To Quit Smoking I Want To Stop
Estate From Make Money Real
Make Money On Ebay Free Ebook Tool Software
Quit Smoking Naturally
Make Some Extra Money
Board In Debate Over Gay Families After Daughter Bullied Mom Says Schools Need Better Lessons The Patriot
Rebound Video Game Tournaments 1up On Gaming
Make Money Trading Penny Stock
Using Laser Treatments To Quit Smoking Associated Content
Cam Make Money Web
Video Game Reviews
Make Money Quick Teen Ways
Ebay Make Money Online Selling
Video Games Shop Online For Video Games Amp Consoles At Bizrate Uk
Make Money Fast Computer
Helping Kid Make Money Online Poor
Craft To Make Money At Home
The Pathways To Peace Anger Management Workbook
anger management
Easy Internet Loan Make Money Ways
Abc News Sexy New Video Game Tests Industry
Riddims Music Youstation
Adsense Adsense Adsense Google Make Money Profit
Arise Teen Anger Management
Make Money Unusual Ways
Major Myths Of Anger Management
make money simple ways
Video Games Trailers Videos Movies And Gameplay Gamedaily
In Make Money Quick Runescape
All4homebusiness
Different Internet Make Money Ways
Star War Video Game
Fast Make Money Pal Pay
Game Video Wii Aasleoncb
make money in stock market
Video Game Accessories Shop Online For Video Games Amp Consoles At Bizrate Uk
Ways To Make Money Pykbsxbvqqk
The Videogame Wallpaper And Icons Resource
Managing Anger
Work At Home Business Opportunity Make Money Online
Make Money Own Site Web
Video Game Content Rating System Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia
Work At Home Business Become A Video Game Tester
Cc Network Sdfsc Promising Programs 3
Home Make Money Uk
To Make Some Quick Easy Cash Money Fast
2 Game Suspension Upsets Bruins Courier
Dummies Examining The Pros And Cons Of Anger
Estate In Make Money Real Ways
Rent Video Game Pewofkb
By Internet Make Market Money Online Selling Writer Writing
Can You Really Make Money On Ebay
Apology Call For Top Gear Smoking Channel
Video Game Music Albums Wallpapers
All Games Free Online Games At Yahoo Kids Games
Today S Hottest Game Video Wii Fatality Joystiq
Buy Sell Trade Video Game
Esrb Ratings Guide
Make Real Money On The Internet
Make Money From Home Using My Computer
Video Game Chairs
free casino slot game
Home Job Make Money Online Work
Fast Make Money Runescape
Adsense Blog From Make Money
Quit Smoking Faq
Based Business Home Make Money Online Start
free casino
Business Make Money Off Opportunity Travel Travel
casino slot
Video Games Shop Online For Video Games Amp Consoles At Bizrate Uk
Real Ways To Make Money On The Internet
How To Make The Stock Market Make Money For You
free casino slot game
Make Money More Than
Gambling Internet Make Money