The game of baccarat is among the most popular in casinos and has grown considerably in popularity over the past 30 years. Its rise is due to Asian high rollers, who are drawn to the low house edge and its relative ease of play. In addition, the game is easy to understand and does not have a large learning curve. While baccarat is still largely tucked away in high limit areas, it has been made more accessible to the general casino floor by offering lower table minimums.
The dealer deals two hands, the Player Hand and the Banker Hand, and players bet on which will win or on a tie. Each hand is dealt three cards. The Player and Banker hand that has a total closest to nine wins. The hand score is determined by adding up the values of each card. Numbered cards two through ten count at their face value; the ace counts as one; and picture or face cards have no value. The total is always rounded to the nearest ten (a six and a four would have a total of eight).
Points over 10 are subtracted from the sum, thus the maximum hand score is 9. Unlike blackjack, there is no busting in baccarat. The cards are dealt from a multi-deck shoe, the same way as blackjack is played. This helps to ensure that the dealer’s decisions are not influenced by the previous outcomes of a hand.
Baccarat is the most simple of all casino games. There are no complicated rules to learn, and the decisions in each hand are virtually a coinflip. Unless the player or banker is playing for a large amount, each round of play can be completed in seconds. Non-commission versions of baccarat are even faster.
Traditionally, baccarat is played on a table with a croupier and a deck of cards. The croupier shuffles the cards and then places them in a dealing “shoe.” Players can make bets on either the player or banker hand, or on a tie. The croupier takes a small commission on winning bets placed on the banker hand. This varies by casino.
Many rumors and theories surround the history of baccarat. Some claim that it was invented as a life or death game, where drawing a low card meant certain doom. Others argue that it evolved from a game of chance played by the ancient Etruscans and later adopted by Romans as a form of lotto. Regardless of its origin, baccarat has long been a favorite of the elite in Asia and Europe.
As the game’s popularity grows in the United States, more and more casinos are offering it on their regular casino floors. While the baccarat tables still feature tuxedo-clad dealers, the game itself has changed dramatically from its European roots. Baccarat tables now look a lot like blackjack tables, and while the game’s minimum bets remain pricey in high limit areas, it has become accessible to much more players on the casino floor thanks to reduced table minimums.