Baccarat is a game of pure chance, but it has a certain allure. Tucked away in high-limit gaming areas, it has a sense of prestige.
The object is to win by betting on the Player or Banker hand whose score closest to nine. A winning hand must have a number between one and nine, with all tens counting as zero and aces counting as one.
Game rules
The game is played with one or more decks of cards. Players can bet on either the Player hand, Banker hand or Tie. The hand with the highest total wins. The ace, king and queen count as zero points. The rest of the cards are worth their numeric value. The winning hand is the one closest to 9.
Once a player has placed their bet, two cards will be dealt to each of the betting areas. The betting areas are clearly labeled ‘Player’, ‘Banker’ and ’Tie’. The dealer will then play out the hands and pay out the winning bets.
If the first two cards produce a total of 8 or 9 (known as a natural), the game ends and all bets are paid. Otherwise, a third card is drawn for each hand and the one closest to 9 wins. Tie bets pay out 8 to 1 but have a very low probability of winning.
Payouts
Baccarat has moderately simple rules and is a popular game among gamblers worldwide. The game can be played at land-based and online casinos, with several variations available. These vary in payouts and house edge. Players should always check the payouts and house edge of a side bet before making a wager.
A winning Player or Banker hand pays out 95% of the stake. A tie bet pays 8-to-1. The payouts on these bets are subject to a 5% commission, which decreases the odds of a win.
Depending on the establishment or platform, players can also make a number of other side bets. These include a Mini Royal, which pays 250:1 if the player wins with a pair of eights. Another option is a progressive side bet that pays based on the poker value of the player and banker’s first two cards. These bets are usually offered in commission-free baccarat and pay a higher payout than other side bets.
Variations
Baccarat has a variety of different variations. Some are simpler than others, but they all follow the same basic rules. The goal is to get a player or banker hand that totals closest to nine. The hand is judged by adding up the pips on the cards (clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades). Face cards are worth zero points and aces count as one point.
The most popular variation of baccarat is Punto Banco, which is played in casinos throughout the world. This game uses eight decks of cards, and the casino collects a 5% commission on winning Banker bets. This version is not as profitable to card counters as ordinary baccarat, but it still offers high-profit margins for players.
Another popular baccarat variant is Dragon Tiger, which simplifies the game by dealing two cards instead of three. This eliminates the need to compare a third card and allows the game to be completed more quickly.
Origins
The game of baccarat has been around for quite some time, but has recently taken on a new life in casinos across the globe. This high stakes game of choice is available for everyone to play at a reputable online casino, right from the comfort of their own home.
There are a few different theories as to the origin of baccarat. Some believe it derived from the ancient Italian game of macao or the early French card game le her. Others believe it traces its roots back to an Etruscan legend of a young blond virgin who had to throw a nine-sided die to decide her fate. If she rolled an eight or nine she would be elevated to the status of a priestess. If she threw a six or lower, she would be banished into the sea to drown.
Despite these intriguing origins, it is difficult to know for sure where the game of baccarat really originated. What we do know is that it became extremely popular in nineteenth century France where it maintained a reputation of high class and high stakes.