Baccarat is a thrilling card game that invokes images of James Bond-style casino gamblers in tuxedos laying down chips as they watch cards being dealt. While the game may seem complex and high-end, Baccarat is actually very simple and fun to play. With just three possible outcomes – a player win, banker win or tie – and a dealer doing all the work, Baccarat is the perfect casino table game for those who want to enjoy Las Vegas casino excitement without the hassle of complex rules or high stakes betting.
The object of baccarat is to get as close to nine points as possible. The game begins with the dealer placing four cards face down in a shoe. The first two cards form the player hand and are placed below PLAYER, while the second two cards form the banker’s hand and are placed below BANKER. The player’s and banker’s hands are kept hidden throughout the round, only the third card (if called for) being revealed when a draw decision is needed. Each hand is judged on its own and the total point count is the sum of the first two cards.
When the player or banker’s hands both have a total of eight or nine on the initial deal, the game is over and all bets are paid. If the total of the player’s and banker’s hands is eight or nine but one of them has a zero point count, the dealer will not draw a third card for that hand and the game is over.
Statistically, backing the banker every hand is the best way to play baccarat and yields the highest long-term profit, though casinos are wise to this and typically charge a small commission on winning Banker bets (see below). If you can find a casino that doesn’t charge this commission, you can improve your chances of success even further by betting only on the banker.
In addition to the Player and Banker bets, most casinos offer a Tie bet that pays out 8 to 1 when the Banker’s hand wins. Other bets such as Super Six and Pair Bet are also available.
Before you begin playing Baccarat, it’s important to establish your bankroll and stick to it. Set a loss limit and stop playing when you reach it. Likewise, be sure to set a win limit as well and cash out when you hit it. This will ensure that you have a good time and can walk away with some money in your pocket when you’re done.