The Basics of Baccarat
Written by
Baccarat is a game of chance and mystique, conjuring images of men in tuxedos and women in posh evening dresses laying down chips at opulent casinos. While this game may look complex at first, it’s actually quite easy to learn and fun to play. With some time and practice, you’ll be able to master the nuances of this thrilling card game.
In baccarat, from seven to 14 players sit around a table. Each player has a specific seat and betting area where they place their bets. There are three possible outcomes: the player wins, the banker wins, or a tie. To win, your hand must total closer to nine than the dealer’s. The cards are dealt face up, so that all the players at the table can see them. There are several rules that must be followed when placing bets, and players should not touch their chips until the hand is over.
The dealer places two cards in the Banker box and one in the Player box. The hands are compared immediately to determine the winner. If the Player’s and Banker’s hands have a total of 8 or 9 on the first two cards, it is called a natural win and all bets are paid out. Otherwise, the third card is drawn to determine the winner.
There are several different types of bets in baccarat, including the Player Bet, Banker’s Bet, Tie Bet, and Super Six Bet. The payouts for each of these bets vary by casino and platform. Super Six Bets pay 12x the bet amount if the Banker Hand wins with a score of 6 points. Pair Bets are optional bets that pay 11x the bet amount if either the Player or Banker hand receives a pair of matching cards.
Once all bets are placed, the dealer will deal two cards to each side of the table. The banker and the player will both then draw a single card. The hand with the highest value wins. If neither the banker nor the player have a total of 8, 9, or 12, the third card is drawn to decide the winner.
Depending on the casino, online platforms and individual establishments, some baccarat games will offer additional side bets beyond the player win, banker win or tie. These bets are often made before the game begins and their odds will vary. Some popular options include the Player pair and the Banker pair bets, which pay out at 11:1 odds. In addition, some baccarat games will also allow players to bet on the banker or player receiving a pair of cards on the deal, which pays out at 5:1 odds. These side bets can add an element of strategy and variety to the game.