Baccarat is one of the most glamorous casino games, played in everything from sticky floor California card rooms to tuxedo-laden Monaco casinos. It is also one of the most complicated casino games to play, with many rules and betting options. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most popular casino games around, thanks to its low house advantage and high payouts. Baccarat is a game of chance and skill, but if you understand the rules, it’s actually very easy to play.
While the exact origin of baccarat is unclear, most experts agree that it was first invented in Italy in the 1500s. The game was called baccara at that time, and historians believe that it was created by Felix Falguiere. The game became popular in France, where it was known as chemin de fer or “chemmy,” and was a favorite pastime of King Charles VIII and his nobility. From there, it spread across the channel and became a popular casino game among the rich and famous.
The modern version of the game is played on a nine-inch table with a shoe that holds ten cards, plus one or more reserve cards for use in cases of ties and non-qualifications. The goal of the game is to have a hand that totals closest to nine. If a hand totals more than nine, the first digit is dropped. For example, a seven and an eight would equal 13, but would be dropped to three because the ace counts as zero.
Players place their bets on either the Player or Banker hands. The dealer deals two cards to each box, visible to the entire table, and then whichever hand is closer to nine wins. A third option, the Tie bet, pays off eight to one if both the Player and Banker hands tie, but has a higher house edge than the two other bets. Most players stick with the Player or Banker bets and avoid the Tie bet.
Baccarat’s popularity has generated several variations and additional ways to bet and play. Some of these include Mini Baccarat and side bets. These additional bets allow players to make more than one bet per round and increase their chances of winning. They also provide an opportunity for new players to test out the game without having to invest a large amount of money.
While the rules of baccarat vary slightly depending on whether you are playing the modern Punto Banco or the more traditional Chemin de Fer (Chemmy) style of the game, the basic concept remains the same. Once the card dealer calls no more bets, he or she will reveal one of the cards in the Player box. Then the Banker will deal himself or herself a second card. If the hand that is closer to 9 wins, the bettors who placed bets on it will win. Otherwise, the bets will lose. If the Banker’s hand wins, a commission is paid to the dealer, which usually amounts to 5-10% of the winnings.