Baccarat may look daunting to those who are new to the game, but it is actually one of the easiest casino games to play. There are only three possible outcomes per hand, and a player can develop a winning strategy very quickly. Here are six baccarat tips to help players develop their game:
First of all, it is important to understand the rules of baccarat. The objective of the game is to wager on the Banker or Player hand that has a total closest to nine. Two cards are dealt to each hand, and a third card is sometimes drawn. If either the Player or Banker hands produce a “natural” (a 9 or 8), it is an automatic win. If the two hands tie, the game is a draw. If the first two hands are equal in value, further cards are drawn to determine a winner.
Baccarat began as a medieval game played with popular tarot cards. It eventually became known as ‘chemin de fer’ or ‘baccarat en banque’ in France and spread from there to the rest of Europe. The game is now widely available in casinos, and it has become an international phenomenon.
Aside from the basic rules, there are a few things to know about baccarat betting strategies and payouts. A 5% commission is charged when betting on the Banker hand, so it is important to know how much you want to risk before placing your bets. In addition, the maximum payout on a Banker hand is nine times your stake. If you bet on the Player hand, the payout is a bit lower at eight to 1.
In addition to the main wagers, baccarat also offers side bets with varying payouts and house edges. These bets include the Player and Banker winning streaks, a 3-card and 9-card pair, and a runner-up. While these bets can offer big payouts, they are often more risky than the Banker and Player bets.
Finally, a player should always avoid making a Tie bet. This bet pays out 9:1 but has a high house edge and is more likely to lose than the other bets.
Baccarat has evolved a lot since its James Bond pageantry days and can now be found in most casinos. While it still remains tucked away in high-limit gaming areas, it has gained enough popularity to be offered on the main floor. Many online casinos feature mini-baccarat tables, and the game is even available in some traditional casinos on a small table with low minimum bets.