Baccarat History Baccarat dates back to the Middle Ages. It is believed the game was first played with a Tarot card deck. Originating in Italy, it soon made its way to France where it found a home among the upper class aristocracy. Further evolution of the game shows it split to European baccarat, and a French game that goes by the name 'chemin de fer'. Chemin de fer is very similar to baccarat as it's played in American casinos today. The difference is one of the players banks the game instead of the casino. The title of banker rotates around the table in a manner similar to the dice at a craps table. The interesting bit to observe of course is that the casino is taking no risk here; they simply charge a fee from each banker. The Baccarat game we know today originated in Great Britain and was then passed along to South America and finally to Nevada. The infamous Dunes casino introduced baccarat in the late 50's, and since then it has made its final migration onto the world wide web. Baccarat has a history overseas also, which is evidenced by its popularity among the Asian population who visit Las Vegas each year. The highest of the high rollers often come from overseas to try their hand under the chandeliers of the stylish Vegas baccarat rooms. In casinos based in the Portuguese territory of Macao, near Hong Kong, the popularity of baccarat is unrivaled. Unlike the heavily ordered and systematic American casinos, these Portuguese tables often allow multiple players to bet on a single spot at the same time, while the expert dealers mentally keep track of each players commission on winning bank bets.

A variety of approaches are used to tackle roulette. Strategies range from the obscure, to the deranged, and cover everything in between. The smartest roulette strategies however, don't seem to ever be published, and especially not on the world wide web. Books publishers selling roulette strategies would feel guilty if they only gave you the simple truth. Instead they spin elaborate strategies based on whatever variable they happen to pull out of the hat that afternoon. Far too often the same people then slap a label of 'roulette system' on their advice, and sell it for much more than they could get for a book. Don't fall for anyone selling a system. If there were a systematic way to beat roulette (by the numbers, not by identifying a dealer's signature) many math professors would drive nicer cars. Instead try to develop your own strategies for roulette. The best way to start is to test out any hunches you have had while playing. The only good way to do this is with the help of some free roulette software. The software also has to let you carry your bankroll from session to session in order for you to properly keep track of your wins and losses. The effectiveness of your strategy can only truly be measured by variable relating to your bankroll. Of particular interest of course, is weather or not you come out ahead in the long run; but almost as important is the degree of fluctuation your bankroll undergoes. When choosing between roulette strategies to try out, look for one that has you pay a lot of attention to your bankroll. Any system designed to distract you from your pocketbook is bad news.

Requesting a card or a hit on 17 or above will do two things: it will mark you as a rank amateur and will make other players abandon your table. There are only four cards to improve your hand with a 17, three with an 18, 2 with a 19 and one with a 20. The odds are stacked against you in every case. With 17 as the player's key point, 6 is the corresponding cutoff card for thedealer's exposed card in determining how you play it, with the deuce or 2 beingthe exception to the rule (refer to "The Terror of the Twos") It is importantto remember: everything is relative to the one card the dealer is showing. Ifthe dealer's exposed card is 3-6, the player has a better chance of winning thanif the dealer is showing a 2, 9, 10 (or face card) or ace. Seven and eight fallin the middle.Generally accepted blackjack theory notes that 18.3 represents the calculatedaverage hand needed to win. In other words, a hand with less than a 19 total(you can't get fractions in blackjack), is potentially a losing hand. If thedealer is showing a 7, 8, 9, or 10-value card, you will need to hit if you haveless than a 17.With a total of 17, you are stuck-you can't take a hit, but your chances aren'tgood. The math of the game says you can't take a card to improve your hand, butthe best you can do is hope the dealer has a 5-10 if he/she is showing a seven.With a 10, you tie, or "push." You don't win, but you don't lose. 5-9 makes thedealer hit once more. If the dealer has an 8, 9, or 10-value card exposed, youhave to hope that there is a 4, 5,6, or 7 in the hole. That will make the dealerneed to take a third card as well and this might put his/her hand over the totalof 21, with a busted hand. As there are more 10-value cards than any other, thechances here are not as bad.When you receive a hard 17, 18, 19, or 20, there is nothing to do except sitback and hope that the dealer's hand isn't as good as yours. You merely indicateto the dealer that you don't want a card and want to stand. Obviously, with a21 or blackjack, there's no need to try to improve your position.

1. As per normal poker rules - playing and betting proceeds in a clockwise direction.

2. The two Players to the left of the Dealer post the blind bets.

3. Small Blind (the Player who sits left of the Dealer) bets half the lower limit.

4. Big Blind (the Player who sits left of the Small Blind) bets equal to the lower limit.

5. Betting increments in the game determine the blinds. In a game of $2 and $4 betting increments, the small blind is $1, and the big blind is $2.

6. The blind bets in Omaha Hi-Lo are considered as active bets, and therefore, Players have the option to check, fold, call, and raise when the betting action returns to their position. (Exception to first round betting) First round betting - options are to fold, bet, or raise. Only one bet, and three raises per Player are allowed on the first round. Players cannot "check" in the first round, as Blinds are bets, and not antes.

7. Second and subsequent betting rounds - options are to check, fold, bet, or raise.

8. All bets must be placed in conjunction with the game's betting increments.

9. There are four possible betting rounds in Omaha Hi-Lo poker. Each bet and raise during the first two rounds is set at the lower limit of the stakes structure, and for the last two rounds at a higher limit structure. For example in a $1/$2 Omaha Hi-Lo game, all bets and raises are $1 for the first two rounds (after pocket cards are dealt and after the flop) All bets and raises are $2 for the last two rounds (after the turn and after the river), following accepted poker rules.

10. The maximum allowable number of bets per Player during any betting round in Omaha Hi-Lo poker is four. This includes a (1) bet, (2) raise, (3) re-raise, and (4) cap. The term cap is used to describe the 3rd raise in a round since betting is then capped and can't be raised further. Once capped, Players will have only the option of calling or folding.

11. In betting rounds where Players have folded, the first active Player left of the Disc/Dealer is first to act.

12. To ensure fairness for all online poker Players - new Players entering the Omaha Hi-Lo game will be required to post the equivalent of the big blind. All Players have the option of sitting out and waiting for the actual big blind before starting play.

13. By preventing Players from constantly entering poker games in a late position and leaving before they're required to post, these rules stop potential abuse of the online environment.