In the hands of a skilled dealer, Baccarat can be a game of suspense and intrigue. It is easy to learn and offers players three options – Player win, Banker win or a tie. Baccarat is often played for high stakes and can be found in a variety of environments from sticky California card rooms to the tuxedo-laden casinos of Monaco. The game’s popularity in the United States waned after the early 20th century, but it retains a strong following in continental Europe and Russia.
During a baccarat session, a banker and a player are dealt two cards each. The object of the game is to predict which hand will have a total value closest to nine. All cards have a value based on their number and the suit they belong to, with 9 being the highest value. Tens and picture or face cards have no value, while Aces count as one point. Any total over 10 is subtracted, as is the case when the player or banker hits.
The player and banker bets are placed before the cards are dealt, and players can also make side bets, if they choose. Depending on the platform or establishment, these side bets will pay different odds. The Player Pair bet, for example, pays 11:1 odds, while the Banker Pair bet pays 5:1. Other side bets available on baccarat include the Super Six Bet and the Pair of Sevens.
When the cards are dealt, the player and banker hands are compared and the hand with the higher value wins. If either hand has a value of eight or nine (called a natural) it will win; otherwise, the bet is lost. A tie is the result of both hands having a value of eight or nine; this results in the same amount of money being won by each player.
While many players will bet on the player or banker hand, some will opt to place a bet on the tie. This bet pays out 8-to-1, but it has a higher house edge than the player and banker bets. As a result, most serious players will stick to the player and banker bets.
While Baccarat is an exciting and enjoyable game, it can be easy to lose track of your bankroll if you’re not careful. Before you begin playing, be sure to set a budget and a spending limit. This way, you won’t be tempted to chase your losses.