How to Play Baccarat
Baccarat is one of the most luxurious and exclusive games in Las Vegas, played on a large table in the high limit room with tuxedo-clad dealers and tables that are often blocked off from the rest of the casino floor. The game has been popular with Asian high rollers for many years and is now a mainstay at the world’s best casinos. The game requires no skill and is a pure game of chance. It can be expensive to play in some cases, with the minimum table bet ranging from $25 to $100. However, the game has been making its way into the mainstream of the casino industry and is now often offered on the main floor with lower table minimums.
The game is easy to understand and the dealer does most of the work for you. There are only three possible outcomes: a Player win, Banker win or tie, and each bet pays out according to the results of the hand. The point is to get the two cards in your hand to add up to nine as closely as you can without going over. The number nine is the most valuable card, followed by 8 and then 7. Picture cards (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) are worth their numerical value, and aces are worth one point.
A third option is the Tie bet, which pays out eight to one if your hand comes closest to 9. The house has a higher edge on the Banker and Player bets than on the Tie bet, however, so most serious players avoid betting on this.
While baccarat is traditionally associated with high-rollers, Bill Zender, former Nevada Gaming Control Agent and current consultant, says the game has been growing in popularity for a variety of reasons. He notes that it’s a favorite of Asian high rollers and is uniquely suited to their cultural preferences. The game is also known for its low house advantage, which makes it attractive to serious players. The game is also very fast-moving and offers a lot of James Bond pageantry.
Whether you’re a fan of the casino classic or are just looking for a new table game to try, it’s a good idea to learn how to play. Baccarat has a reputation for being an intimidating game, but it’s actually quite simple to pick up and play. Once you’ve mastered the rules, you’ll be ready to sit down and enjoy this elegant game of chance.
The game was invented in the 1400s and is believed to be from Italy and France. It is named baccarat because it literally means zero in Italian and French, which is what the values of all face cards and tens equate to. Baccarat was popular in the Victorian era, and it was featured in several films featuring James Bond, including Dr. No; Thunderball; On Her Majesty’s Secret Service; For Your Eyes Only; and GoldenEye. The game has since remained a staple for high-stakes gambling fans and is still enjoyed by royalty, businesspeople, and other VIPs worldwide.