Whether in a sticky-floor California card room or the tuxedo-laden casinos of Monaco, baccarat is one of the world’s most popular casino games. Its popularity has grown so much that it now accounts for more than 18 percent of total casino revenue worldwide. Baccarat is played in a variety of ways, from punto banco and chemmy to the most popular form today, baccarat banque.
Baccarat is an easy game to play, but understanding how a round works is essential for players to get the most out of it. During normal play, there are two hands of cards dealt to the Banker and the Player. Those two hands are compared to see who is closest to nine. If the hand total is lower than 9, a third card is drawn. If the third card is a ten or higher, the winning hand is determined. If the Banker is the winner, a commission is paid to the casino, which varies by location.
In addition to the two main bets, players may also place a Super Six Bet or a Pair Bet. The Super Six Bet pays out 12x the bet amount if the Banker wins with a score of 6. The Pair Bet pays out 9x the bet amount if the Player and Banker have a matching pair of cards. These bets can be placed at any time in the game, and are not influenced by previous wins or losses for either the Player or Banker.
The game’s origin is a bit murky, but most experts believe it was first invented in 1500s Italy by Felix Falguiere. It was named “baccara” after a legend from ancient Etruscan Rome. The legend centered on a virgin who had to throw a nine-sided die. If she threw an 8 or 9, she would be elevated to priestess status. If she threw lower than 6, however, she was banished to the sea.
A baccarat table is set up with anywhere from seven to 14 seats for players and a dealer’s area. The cards are shuffled and then dealt in three steps. During ordinary play, only two cards are dealt for each of the Banker and Player’s hands. The values of the cards are added up to determine a total for each hand. Picture cards and tens count as zero points, while numbers from 2-9 are worth their face value, and aces count as one.
The game’s simple rules made it quick to catch on across the Channel in England, where Ian Fleming used it as the basis for James Bond. It soon made its way to Las Vegas, where casinos promoted it as a high-end game for the elite. Baccarat tables were often tucked away in exclusive rooms and appointed with posh leather chairs. In addition, baccarat was known for its high minimum bets and the fact that it is difficult to win money consistently. Nevertheless, if a player employs a card counting strategy to his advantage, it can be an excellent money-making game.