If you’ve ever been to a fancy Vegas casino, or even watched a James Bond movie, chances are you’ve seen the game of Baccarat. This is a table game that requires no skill and is played for high stakes. It’s a game of pure chance and whoever’s hand is closest to the number nine wins. Baccarat is a fun and glamorous casino game that has become one of the most popular table games in the world.
The game originated in the 1400s and was very popular among French royalty under Louis XIV where it was known as “Chemin de Fer.” The name baccarat is an abbreviation of baccara, which means zero. Baccarat was then brought to America and England where it became very popular among high rollers and celebrities. It was then imitated and spread across the world.
Players wager on either the Player hand, the Banker hand, or a tie. The goal of the game is to predict which hand will have a total closest to 9. The cards are dealt by the caller and placed on a large layout marked with PLAYER or BANKER and an announcer reads the hand’s value. If the hand is a WIN, you will be paid out 95% of your bet. If it is a LOSE, you will be paid out 5% of your bet. If the hand is a TIE, you will be paid 8-to-1. There are also score sheets available at live baccarat tables to keep track of your winnings and losses.
Unlike most table games where the rules are fairly clear, there are some elements of baccarat that can be confusing for a new player. For instance, there are certain times when a third card may be drawn to determine the winner of a particular round. It is important to understand these rules so you can develop a strategy as you play.
Once all bets are placed, the dealer will deal two cards to each box. The Player box is dealt first and then the Banker box. If the first two hands have a total of eight or nine, they are considered a “natural” and no additional cards will be drawn. However, if either the Player or Banker hand has a total of five or less, a third card will be drawn to determine the winner.
When betting on a WIN, you must bet on either the Player hand or the Banker hand. If the hand you bet on has a total closer to nine than the Banker’s hand, you will be paid out at odds of 1-to-1. If the hand you bet on has an even number, you will receive a payout of 5% of your wager. The other payout odds are as follows: