Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games around. It is a game of choice for many players who enjoy its simplicity, low house edge and high payouts. In fact, it is the second most popular card game after blackjack, and it makes up nearly 18 percent of total casino profits worldwide. Baccarat is a table game that features two opposing sides: the player and banker. During each baccarat coup (round of play), the dealer deals two cards to each hand. Whichever hand totals closest to nine wins the game. The player can also choose to bet on the tie. The player and banker hands are dealt face up and visible to all players. A 5% commission is paid to the casino on winning bets placed on the banker hand.
While baccarat is known for its glamorous history and the royalties who helped to spread the game, it has become a relatively simple card game to play. Baccarat’s rules are simple to understand and can be learned in a few minutes. The simplest bet is the player/banker bet, which is a straightforward wager on who will win a particular hand. Baccarat is also played online, where the rules and bets are clearly marked on the screen.
Baccarat was first introduced to the world in Italy, where it was based on an Etruscan legend. The story told was that a virgin had to throw a nine-sided dice in order to determine her fate. If she threw an 8 or 9 she would be elevated to priestess status, while a lower score meant death. This ancient game of life or death eventually made its way to France, where it became the craze of nobility and royalty.
A baccarat score sheet is available at every live baccarat table, and most players use it religiously to keep track of results. The game is also easy to understand and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. A few important rules should be understood before playing, however.
The first thing to remember is that a “natural” is any hand that has points totaling 8 or 9. This means the player or banker’s hands have no additional cards drawn. A third card may be drawn on a ties bet, though, which can change the outcome of the hand.
In addition to betting on the player or banker, players can place a pair bet. This is an optional bet that pays out 12x your initial bet amount if the winning Banker hand has six points. Baccarat is a relatively quick game, and each round of play is over in seconds. Non-commission baccarat games are even faster, as you don’t have to wait for the cards to be dealt.
In the past, baccarat players used to take turns dealing cards. Nowadays, casinos are keen to remove any opportunity for cheating and the cards are handled by a croupier or caller instead. Players should be sure to watch for patterns in the shoes, which indicate whether the winning hand is likely to be a player or banker.
