Baccarat is one of those games that exudes sophistication, conjuring images of men in tuxedos and women in evening gowns laying down chips at the baccarat tables of opulent casinos. But while the game’s mystique might be intimidating for new players, it actually is a simple and fun card game that anyone can learn in just minutes.
The objective of Baccarat is to have the hand you bet on – either Player, Banker, or Tie – come closest to nine. To do this, the cards are dealt to two hands – the player’s and the banker’s – and the dealer adds up their total points. The winning hand is the one that has a total of nine when all the pips (the dots on the cards that represent clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades) are added together. Picture cards and tens count as zero points, while all other numbered cards count for their face value and aces count as one point.
Unlike Blackjack, where you can decide when to draw additional cards, Baccarat is a one-shot deal. The goal is to have the hand you bet on (or bet against) come closest to nine, and once the cards are dealt, no further action can be taken by either side. If the player or banker have a total of eight or nine on the first two cards, that’s called a “natural” and all bets placed are paid.
If the Player and Banker both have the same total, it’s a tie and your bet is returned. However, if the player’s hand is higher than the banker’s, then the hand with the highest total wins and your bet on that outcome is paid out. In the event of a tie, you get your money back, and the game is over.
There are a few special situations where the dealer will give the Player or Banker a third card. The most common is if the Player’s hand has a score of 8 or 9 on the first two cards – which is considered a natural win, and your bets are paid out. The next most common scenario is when the Banker’s and Player’s totals are tied after the first two cards are dealt, in which case a third card is drawn.
Aside from the player and banker bets, there are a few side bets in baccarat that can provide decent payouts and low house edges. However, some side bets can have high odds and be difficult to land, so before placing any of these bets, be sure you understand the rules of the game and your bankroll can handle it.