Baccarat is one of the world’s most popular casino games. It is especially popular in Asia, where it accounts for 80% of Macau’s gambling revenues. While the game is largely based on chance, there are some things you can do to improve your chances of winning.
Baccarat first appeared in the 1500s in Italy, where it was invented by Felix Falguiere. The name of the game comes from the fact that tens, jacks, and queens are worth zero points while kings and aces are valued at one point. Baccarat eventually made its way to France, where it became a popular card game among the French aristocracy.
From there, it spread to England and then on to the US, where the rules were modified slightly. The game is played with a single dealer and bets are placed against the house rather than against other players. It is now a favorite at high-end casinos and has even found its way into several James Bond movies, including Casino Royale; Dr. No; Thunderball; On Her Majesty’s Secret Service; and For Your Eyes Only.
In its modern form, the goal of Baccarat is to bet on which hand will come closest to a total of nine points. Each player and banker are dealt two cards and the values of those cards are added together to determine the hand’s total. The hand that comes closest to nine wins. Unlike some other table games, there is no tie.
The biggest payouts in Baccarat occur when the banker and player both win. This bet is often referred to as the “player pair,” and it pays out at 11:1 odds. The second most common bet is the banker’s pair, which pays out at 8:1 odds. A third bet is the player-banker tie, which has a higher payout (but also a much longer odds-range).
Some baccarat players keep little cheat sheets that list outcomes of past hands, and they try to track patterns to make better bets. Statistically, however, this is not necessary and is considered cheating by casinos. In addition, most baccarat tables use eight decks, so counting cards is useless.
Regardless of which bet you choose, the key is to set your limits. Decide how much you’re willing to risk and stop gambling once you reach that amount. Baccarat is a fast-paced game, and money can change hands very quickly.
Many baccarat players are high rollers, and they often wager $100,000 per hand or more. This type of play makes the game a popular choice for high-rollers looking for a low-stress, entertaining casino game. This high-limit action is fueled by the fact that baccarat is a relatively simple game, and it doesn’t require any real skill to play. As a result, it has become one of the most popular high-limit games in Macau and elsewhere. The game’s popularity has given rise to variations on the game and additional ways to bet, including side bets. Check out our article on Baccarat side bets and Mini Baccarat to learn more.