The Basics of Baccarat
Baccarat is often referred to as the “Bond game.” It is one of the world’s most popular casino games and offers players an opportunity to win big. The rules vary slightly depending on whether you are playing the North American version (punto banco), French baccarat (chemin de fer), or the more traditional and slower Asian version of the game (baccarat banque). The game has a long history and many stories surrounding its origins. Baccarat is a card game played between the player and the banker with the object of winning by betting on the hand that is closest to nine. The game is different from poker, where you play against other players and have several options such as hitting, splitting, doubling down, insurance and more. Baccarat is a simple game, however, the number of decks used can greatly impact your odds of winning.
Baccarat can be a little intimidating to first timers, but the rules are actually quite straightforward. The table is arranged with from seven to 14 seats for players and a dealer’s area. The cards are dealt from a multi-deck shoe, similar to blackjack, and the object is to bet on which hand will get closer to nine. Picture cards and Tens count as zero points, while aces count as 1. Cards totaling more than ten have the first digit dropped, so a 7 and an 8 would result in a 9 and not a 15.
If either the Player or the Banker hand has a total of eight or nine on the initial two cards, this is called a natural win and no further cards are drawn. The bets placed on the hand are paid out. A commission is paid to the casino on wins on the Banker hand, which varies by casino and can be anywhere from 5-10% of the winnings.
A third card may be drawn on the Banker hand if the initial total is six or less. The Player hand cannot draw a third card, and the banker can only draw a third when the initial total is 4, 5, 6, or 7.
The game is not without its controversy. Some critics claim that the game was once played as a life or death game, and that drawing a lower than a 6 meant execution. It is now a casino game where the odds are slightly in favor of the house, but players can use a strategy known as edge sorting to reduce this advantage to 0.05% or less.
Baccarat has become a staple at the casino, but has lost some of its James Bond glamour in the age of casinos that offer single tables and higher minimums. It is still a popular choice among Asian players and can be found in high-limit gaming areas, but it is no longer the main attraction on the casino floor with its tuxedoed dealers and double tables. The game is also available in online casinos with much lower minimums and simpler rules.