Baccarat – Easy to Learn and Fun to Play
Baccarat is the game of choice for high rollers in glamorous casinos. It’s a game of mystery and intrigue, evoking images of men in tuxedos and women in posh evening gowns laying down chips as the dealer hands out cards. However, don’t be fooled by its mystique – it’s easy to learn and fun to play.
The objective of the game is to bet on which hand will come closest to a total of 9. There are three possible outcomes: Player win, Banker win or Tie. Players place bets on either the player or banker hand before the cards are dealt. Then two cards are dealt to each hand, and the one with a total closest to nine wins. The game is usually played with a six or eight deck shoe.
There are some variations to the rules, but the overall game is relatively simple. The rules dictate that the banker must stand on any score of 6 or 7 and hit if the player has a 7 or 8. If a player has a 9 they should not draw a third card. Depending on the amount of money placed on the banker and player hands, the player may choose to ask for a third card or they may not.
A player’s hand can only total 8 or 9, while a banker’s can only equal 9 or 10. The remaining numbers on the cards are worth their face value. For example, a queen and a six are worth eight points, while an ace and a five are worth seven.
The dealer isn’t a participant in the actual game of baccarat, but rather an agent who distributes the cards to the two gaming spaces at the table – the banker’s spot and the player’s spot. The dealer passes two cards to each of these spots face up. Then the players bet on which hand will win on the next round.
Those who bet on the banker hand win more often than those who bet on the player hand, but the banker’s house edge is slightly higher than that of the player’s bet. This is because the banker’s hand must win more often than the player’s to offset the risk of a tie. This is why you should always bet on the banker hand whenever you play. It offers better odds and payouts, and is the best bet in baccarat. But as with any gaming venture, it’s important to set your limits and stick to them. Know how much you’re willing to lose, and quit when you reach that limit. Then return to the game another day.