Baccarat is an exciting game of pure chance. It’s usually portrayed as elegant and formal in movies – James Bond is a fan, after all – but it’s easy to play and offers some of the best odds in the casino. If you are considering trying it out, we recommend learning a few things about the game before you head to the table.
First, it’s important to understand how a round of Baccarat works. Once all players have placed their bets, two cards are dealt to the Player and the Banker. The goal is to have a hand with a total closest to 9. Aces are worth one point, while Picture or Face cards are worth zero points and Numbered cards are worth their face value.
When a hand is dealt, the croupier (dealer) will place them in their respective positions on the Baccarat table. The Player hand will be below PLAYER, and the Banker’s will be above BANKER as marked on the table. The cards are then shuffled and cut by the croupier, who is not a participant in the game. Eight packs of 52 cards are typically used.
During a game, the croupier will deal cards to both the Banker and Player hands. Once the cards are dealt, a decision must be made whether to draw a third card or stand. This decision is based on the value of the first two cards and how much has been bet on each hand. The croupier will then place the third card in its proper position.
Once the decisions are made, the croupier will announce the result of the hand and collect any winning bets. The WINNER is determined by the highest total (the WINNER MUST BE a BANKER or PLAYER – no Tie bets). If the WINNER is a BANKER, the BANKER will pay out the winner according to the payout tables, which are displayed on the baccarat table.
If the WINNER is a PLAYER, the PLAYER will receive their bet money back plus a winnings bet of 1:1. There is no BACARAT commission on wins for the PLAYER bet, unlike the BANKER bet, which pays out at a rate of 8-to-1. In some casinos, there are also side bets that offer more generous payouts.
Baccarat is a fast-paced game with many betting options and a few different rules. Be sure to decide how much you want to spend in advance, and don’t let yourself get carried away by the excitement of the game. It’s also a good idea to use cash rather than credit to avoid the temptation of additional bets. And beware of any strategies involving increasing or decreasing your bet size based on previous results – all Martingale-based systems are seriously flawed and will eventually lose you money.