Baccarat is the card game of choice for high-rollers. It’s a thrilling, fun and exciting game that oozes sophistication. It’s the kind of game that is often shown in movies with men in tuxedos and women in posh evening gowns laying down chips on a large table while the dealer distributes cards. Despite the game’s mystique, it is actually very easy to learn and play. The only thing that really makes it difficult is mastering the nuances of Baccarat betting.
The first step to playing Baccarat is understanding the rules of the game. There are three major wagers that can be made. You can bet on either the Player hand, the Banker hand or a tie. Each of these bets has different odds. A winning wager will return the sum of your bet plus a small house commission. The most profitable bet is on the Banker hand because it has the highest chance of winning. The Player hand has the lowest chances of winning but it is still a good option to bet on.
After all bets are placed the dealer will deal two cards to the Player box and the Banker box. Then the Player and Banker hands will be evaluated based on their point counts. A total of nine in the Player and Banker hands is a natural and wins the hand. A total of eight is a draw and splits the bet. A total of ten or more means that the banker must draw a third card.
In the past the Player and Banker hands were originally dealt face down. The Banker only had to know the value of the Player’s third card. However, this is not the case now. The Banker must make a decision based on the value of the Player’s second and third cards as well as the Banker’s own first and second cards.
The Banker must also decide whether to draw a third card or stand. The banker’s decision depends on how much money has been staked on the Player and Banker hands. If the banker has a total of 4 or less, they must draw a third card if the Player has a seven or higher in their second and/or third cards. The banker must stand if the Player has a six or lower in their second and/or third cards. This is because a sixth or lower is considered a low total and the Banker must draw a third card in this situation. Otherwise the Banker must stand. In a three-card game, the Banker will not draw a third card if the Player’s total is five or less. In a two-card game, the Banker will not need to draw if the Player has a seven or more in their second and/or third cards. If the player has a six or seven in their second and/or third cards, the Banker must stand. This is because a six or seventh in the second and third cards makes the hand more likely to be won by the Banker than a three-card hand.