From sticky-floor California card rooms to the tuxedo-laden casinos of Monaco, baccarat is among the most popular casino games. While it may look complicated at first glance, this game is actually one of the simplest to play. The objective is to bet on one of two hands that will come closest to nine points. Picture cards and tens have zero value, while Aces count as one. The value of a hand is determined by the second digit after adding up its individual values (for example, an 8 and a 3 becomes 9).
A typical baccarat table has from seven to 14 seats for players and a dealer’s area. After each player places their bets, the dealer will deal two cards to the Player’s area and to the Banker’s area. Then, the player and banker will decide which hand they believe will win that round based on the cards dealt.
Depending on the type of baccarat you’re playing, there are a variety of side bets that you can place in addition to the player and banker win bets. These side bets aren’t governed by the game’s rules and the outcome of the hand, but they can offer you more chances to win.
To make the most of your time at the baccarat table, it’s best to understand how the game works. You’ll want to know how the betting areas work and when a third card will be drawn. If the player’s total is 0 or 5, a third card is always drawn. If the player’s total is 6 or 7, this is known as a ‘natural’ and no third card is drawn.
Once the players and banker have made their decisions, it’s time for the dealer to draw a third card. If the banker’s total is 5 or 6, no third card is drawn. If the banker total is 7 or 8, the hand stands.
Winning bets on the Player and Banker hands qualify for a payout of 1:1. However, if you bet on the Tie, you’ll need to pay a 5% commission. This is why the Tie bet should only be used for entertainment purposes and not as part of a winning strategy.