The Basics of Baccarat
Baccarat is an elegant game that has a long tradition in casinos, but the rules can be complicated. The essential objective is to hit (or get as close as possible) a number nine with two cards. This is done by comparing the total value of the player’s hand to the banker’s. The winning hand is the one with a total closer to 9. The other option is to win on the tie bet, which pays out at eight to one.
The game is played on a table that can seat anywhere from seven to 14 players, and there are two areas for placing bets: the Player’s area and the Banker’s area. The dealer hands out two sets of cards – one to the banker, and one to the player. The cards are worth their face value, except for Picture or Face Cards and Aces, which are worth 0 points. If the total of the cards is in a double digit, the second digit is used.
When the cards are dealt, the banker and player hands are compared to determine the winner. If both hands contain a “natural” (i.e., 8 or 9), the winner is determined right away. Otherwise, additional cards are drawn to decide the outcome.
Before the deal begins, each player must place a wager on either the Banker’s Hand, the Player’s Hand, or the Tie Bet. Each wager is then paid out based on the results of the round. The house edge is low, but the’real odds’ of any particular hand will fluctuate throughout the game.
While the game has evolved from its James Bond pageantry of tuxedoed dealers and double tables, baccarat is still a popular casino game around the world. Its popularity has even prompted some casinos to offer it on the regular floor, where it looks quite similar to blackjack with lower minimum bets.
In the modern version of baccarat, there are five types of bets: the Player’s Bet, the Banker’s Bet, the Super Six Bet, and the Pairs Bet. Each bet has a different payout, but the Player’s Bet and the Banker’s Bet are generally the most profitable. The Banker’s Hand wins in 45.8% of the rounds, and ties occur in 9.6% of the rounds. If you avoid the tie bet, you can expect to see the banker’s hand win more often than not. However, this is a risky bet, and you should only make it if you are comfortable with the house’s edge in the game. Otherwise, the Player’s Bet is a much safer bet. The game was invented in Italy, but moved to neighboring France where it became known as Chemin de Fer (“Chemmy”). The French changed the rules a bit, and it became popular among the aristocracy. It remained in vogue in the country for centuries. The game continues to be a favorite today, especially in Asia where it is played with a great deal of elegance.