Baccarat is one of those casino games that exudes refinement and evokes images of high rollers in opulent casinos. But don’t let the game’s mystique intimidate you – it’s actually a very simple card game to play. In fact, you can learn the rules of baccarat in minutes and enjoy this elegant casino classic from the comfort of your home.
Baccarat rules are relatively straightforward, but a solid understanding of the game’s strategy is essential to becoming a winning player. Players place a Player bet, Banker bet, or Tie bet and then wait for the dealer to deal two cards to each hand. The object of the game is to get a hand that’s closer to nine points than the opponent’s. If the total of your hand is above nine, you must drop the first digit (a seven and a six would become 13, for example).
Eight 52-card packs are shuffled together in a special dealing box called a shoe. Each baccarat table has a numbered area where customers can place their Player and Banker bets. A croupier, or dealer, then deals the cards out of the shoe. Each bettor’s numbered box has a marker to indicate their bet. When a customer wins a Banker bet, the dealer places a marker in the box corresponding to that customer’s name. A 5 percent commission is charged on winning banker bets, and the dealer must keep track of these wagers.
The dealer then reveals the cards in each box. If the Player and Banker hands have equal totals, the round ends. If the banker has a higher total, the game continues with another round. The player’s and banker’s winnings are determined by the total of their bets, plus any additional bets placed on the outcome of the round.
As with any gaming venture, you must enter Baccarat with a clear plan. Set limits for your losses and your wins, and stick to them. If you’re losing, take a break and return to the game when you feel confident enough. And if you’re winning, don’t be afraid to walk away from the table if you hit your profit goal.
Unlike other casino games, Baccarat offers players the option to bet on the game’s most likely outcome, the banker’s hand. This bet has a lower house edge than the player’s hand, and you’ll win more often if you back the banker’s hand. In addition, you’ll be able to avoid the 5% commission charged on winning banker bets by finding an online casino that doesn’t charge a commission at all.