Baccarat is one of the world’s most popular casino games. It’s a game of strategy and chance, with a house edge of just under 1.2 percent on banker bets. This low house advantage is a large part of why many high rollers choose to play baccarat, especially in Macau where the game generates more than 80% of the city’s gambling revenues.
The object of baccarat is to win by betting on the hand, Player or Banker, that you think will be closest to nine. Nine is the highest possible hand, and cards are valued according to their pips (the dots on each card that represent clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades) and the fact that the ace counts as one.
Two cards are dealt to the Player hand and two to the Banker hand, and a total value is determined by adding up each hand’s individual cards. The winning hand is the one that ends up with a total value closest to nine. If the Player hand and Banker hand both have a total of nine, that is a “natural,” and no more cards will be dealt. If either the Player or Banker hands have a total value of eight or less, that is a “non-natural,” and a third card will be drawn.
Depending on the type of game being played, there are five different types of bets that can be made in baccarat. The most common bets are the Players Bet, the Banker’s Bet, the Tie Bet and the Super Six Bet. A Players Bet pays out 8:1 if the Player’s Hand wins, while the Banker’s Bet and the Tie Bet pay 9:1 if the Banker’s Hand wins. The Super Six Bet is an optional bet that pays out 12:1 if the Banker’s hand wins with a total of 6 points.
Baccarat is a simple game to play, but understanding the rules and betting options can help you improve your chances of winning. In addition, a few simple strategies can make your baccarat experience much more enjoyable.
Six decks of cards are used in baccarat and shuffled together, with the table typically accommodating up to 14 players. Players are seated in random order around the table, and play begins to the right of the croupier.
Once all bets are placed, the dealer deals the cards and reveals them to the players. The Player and Banker bets are then calculated, with the winner being the one who places a bet on the hand that is closest to 9. A commission is taken by the dealer on winning bets on the Banker’s hand, which is tracked in the commission box by the croupier. Unlike most other casino games, baccarat is a simple game to learn, and it can be enjoyed by players of all levels. Using simple strategies and card counting techniques, you can significantly reduce the game’s house edge and maximize your profits. Check out our guide to baccarat for more information.