Baccarat is a game that seems straightforward at first glance, but gets quite complicated as the action unfolds. There are several rules that govern the game and how the cards are dealt, so it’s important to learn them in advance. In addition, there are a number of side bets that offer additional opportunities to win. These bets are not required but can enhance your enjoyment of the game.
The essential objective of the game is to hit (or get as close to) nine with two cards. The player and banker each receive two cards and the winning hand is the one closest to 9. Players can choose between Banker, Player, or Tie bets, but there’s a lot more to know about Baccarat than just that.
A high roller’s game
While there are many reasons why a casino might add Baccarat to its gambling offerings, the game has traditionally attracted high rollers. This is partly because of cultural factors, but also because the banker and player bets have a low house edge, with only 1.2 percent on average. There is a third bet called tie, which pays off eight to one if both hands equal the same number, but it has a much higher house edge of over 14 percent.
High stakes players often use the Labouchere system to maximize their winnings, in which they write out a list of numbers and cross off them each time they win a bet. This strategy is not without risk, though, and it’s always a good idea to set a loss limit before beginning a session. This will help prevent a player from spending more than they can afford to lose, which could turn into a losing streak.
There are a number of strategies for playing baccarat, but most serious players stick to the player or banker bets. These bets pay out a relatively large percentage of your initial wager and have the best odds of winning. There are some games that feature a different payout on the Tie bet, but these bets have an even lower house edge.
Getting started
When you’re ready to play, the dealer will shuffle the deck and then place it in a special box. The dealer will then deal each player a card, starting with the player to the right of the dealer. The player will then select a bet amount and place it in a designated area.
After the card is dealt, the croupier will draw another card for the Banker or Player hand. Then the croupier will determine if a third card should be drawn, depending on what the total of the two cards is. If the total is six or seven, no third card will be drawn. If the total is eight or nine, it’s known as a “natural” and no third card will be drawn. The game also has a number of charts that dictate when the banker should stand or draw a card.