Baccarat is a simple game, but it requires some understanding of the rules and betting procedure to play successfully. The game is played with six, seven or eight standard decks of cards and the goal is to correctly predict which hand will win each round or if there will be a tie. The value of a hand is determined by the sum of its cards, but only the rightmost digit is taken into account. This means that a hand made of a 10 and a 7 is worth more than a hand made of a 9 and a 2. A winning player or banker hand qualifies for a 1:1 payout, but players must pay 5% commission when betting on the latter, which reduces the odds to 19 to 20. A winning Tie bet, however, pays 8 to 1.
The game starts with the banker putting down an initial stake. Players then take turns placing bets of any amount until their total for their half of the table equals the banker’s stake. The banker then deals two cards to himself and a player representative. If either of these hands is a natural nine, the round ends. Otherwise, the value of each hand is compared and the one with the highest total wins.
When the Player or Banker hands fail to reach a final score of nine, they will both be given a third card. The values of each hand are then summed and the hand that is closest to 9 wins. The game’s rules make this a simple process. Picture cards and tens are worth zero points, while all other cards are worth their face value or the number they are numbered on. Aces are worth one point. The point value of a hand is calculated by adding the values of all its cards, but only the rightmost tens are taken into account.
Baccarat has a reputation for being difficult to play, but in reality it’s quite straightforward. It is an excellent choice for newcomers to casino games because it doesn’t require any complex strategy and only a small part of the game’s payouts are dependent on luck. The game also maintains a low house edge and is featured in several James Bond movies, including Dr. No; Thunderball; On Her Majesty’s Secret Service; and For Your Eyes Only.
There are from seven to 14 seats for players, and the game is run by a ‘caller’ who takes wagers from the table and deals the cards using a device known as a paddle. The initial two cards of the Player Hand are dealt to the player who made the largest wager on the hand. The caller will then announce the hand’s total (e.g., Player shows 6). After the third card is drawn, the Player and Banker hands are compared and the winner is announced. There are a few standard rules that determine when the Player Hand needs a third card and when the Banker Hand does.