Baccarat is the casino game that makes up a large portion of high-roller action at many of the world’s leading gaming destinations. From sticky-floor California card rooms to tuxedo-laden casinos in Monte Carlo, the game is viewed as an exotic and sophisticated choice for players with deep pockets and a taste for adventure.
A simple game in its essence, baccarat has three possible outcomes: player win, banker win or tie. The game is played with a fixed amount of money and players place wagers on which hand will come closest to nine in total points. The game is dealt from a six or eight-deck shoe, with a third card sometimes being drawn to either the banker or player hands. Picture cards and Tens are worth zero points; number cards count their face value; Aces are worth one point. A winning hand is a hand that ends in a digit closer to nine than any other, with a natural being an eight or 9. If the game ends in a tie, further cards are drawn to determine the winner.
With stakes ranging from 10 to 200 units on each bet, baccarat can quickly become an expensive pastime for those who don’t manage their bankrolls wisely. This is why the game requires some basic math skills, and why a few key strategies are often followed in order to increase chances of success.
In addition to being a fast-paced and exciting game, baccarat also offers some of the best odds in any casino, second only to blackjack for those who follow basic strategy. With a house edge of just 1.3 percent, the game is popular with players who wish to try and shift these probabilities slightly in their favor. One of the most common strategies is card counting, which, when paired with the right system, can reduce the house edge by as much as 0.5 percent.
The mystical nature of the game has made it popular with some in the media, including the 2013 movie “The Great Gatsby,” where a baccarat table is featured at one of Jay Gatsby’s elaborate parties. But this card game is far older than the tuxedo-clad players in the film, having first appeared in Europe and then Asia. Baccarat is the ancestor of modern poker, and it is thought to have evolved from a pagan ritual that decided a young virgin’s fate.
Baccarat tables are set up with from seven to 14 seats for players and a dealer’s area. The table is a flat, circular surface with a red or blue felt playing area. The table also has a special box for the croupier to hold the shuffled decks. The croupier will then deal two cards to the Player and Banker hands, with the aim of having each hand total as close to 9 as possible. Players bet on which hand they believe will have the higher total, with betting limits varying by game and operator. Typically, the Banker will receive a five to 10% commission on all winning bets.