Baccarat has long been regarded as an exclusive game played only by high rollers and luxury seekers, yet with some basic rules in place it’s possible to enjoy this classic casino game on virtually any budget.
Aim: to wager on one of two hands – either the player’s hand or banker’s – which will come closest to nine. Scored by adding up all pips (the dots that represent clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades). Cards from 1-9 have face values; Aces count as one. Winner of each hand with highest total; any tied hands receive their bets back and paid out.
Baccarat stands apart from many forms of casino gambling in that its outcomes do not swing as dramatically, though that doesn’t mean the game lacks fluctuations and unpredictable hunches. An experienced baccarat gambler recently told me he considered tie bet one of five worst bets; yet many players continue betting money on this low-value long shot bet.
Baccarat can be played by both small and large groups, as long as their combined player count doesn’t surpass eight. Each player or the banker will receive two cards. Once dealt, the dealer will announce the result of each hand – if one of these hands contains a total of 8 or 9 this is known as a natural win and all bets placed are paid out immediately and dealt again for future play!
If the total of Player and Banker hands is less than 8, a third card is drawn and drawn as well; then, the hand with the highest total after adding this third card wins. There are also three additional bet types you can make: Super Six Bet (12x initial bet amount) and Pair Bet (11% of initial bet amount).
Sean Connery made a name for himself playing baccarat in James Bond movies, but it has existed for centuries. First brought to France in the fifteenth century from its native Italy, it’s thought to have originated from an Etruscan legend about a virgin throwing a nine-sided die; an 8 elevated her to priestess status; 7 allowed her to stay but restricted her religious and community activities while anything below 7 sent her off into the sea where she ultimately drowned. Modern versions are simplified but rules remain the same – casinos in Macau earn more revenue from this than any other game; bets of up to $100,000 are common.