Baccarat is one of the biggest casino games in the world. Its popularity has exploded in recent years, particularly in Asia where the game was once only played in private salons and high-end gambling houses. Today, casinos in Macau (which dethroned Las Vegas as the casino capital of the world) make 88 percent of their money from baccarat. Even on the Strip, where many visitors are unaware of the game’s rules, baccarat accounts for 18 percent of total casino win.
Baccarat, also known as bakcarat or bakrat, is a card game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages and backgrounds. Unlike other casino games, such as blackjack or roulette, baccarat is relatively simple to play and requires no prior experience or skill. This makes it a popular choice among casual casino goers and beginners.
The objective of baccarat is to place bets on which hand will score closest to nine. Two cards are dealt to each hand—the player hand and the banker hand—and whoever’s total is closer to nine wins. Cards are ranked by their value, with 9 being the highest, 10s and picture or face cards worth zero points, and aces counting as one point. If a total goes over 9, the second digit is dropped to get the true value.
Depending on where you live, the minimum bet amount varies. For example, in the United States, $20-$25 is a popular minimum bet. Once all bets are placed, the dealer reveals the first card for the player’s box and then another for the banker’s box. If the player’s hand has a total of six or more, it wins and no further cards are drawn. If the banker’s hand has a total of six, it also wins and no further cards are drawn.
A Super Six bet, which pays out if the Banker hand has a total of 6, is an optional bet that can be placed alongside the player’s bet. The payout on a winning Super Six bet is 12x the initial bet amount. A Pair bet, which pays out if the player’s first two cards are a pair, can also be placed alongside a bet. The payout on a winning Pair bet is 11x the initial bet amount.
Though baccarat is not as complicated as some other casino games, it does require good stake management to maximize your winnings. As with any game, the house edge is always a factor, so it’s best to monitor your losses and gains. A staking plan that involves a maximum of 200 units per session with a break in between sessions is recommended. Baccarat is easy to learn, fun to play and offers some of the most competitive odds in casino gaming. It’s no wonder it continues to attract millions of players worldwide.