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The object of the game is surprisingly simple. Baccarat is played with multiple decks of standard playing cards. Two hands composed of two cards each are dealt-one for the player and one for the bank. Players can bet on either hand. The winning hand is determined by the point totals of the respective hands. AU 10s and face cards are valued at 0. The rest of the cards retain their face value (the ace counts as 1). If the two-card total exceeds 10 points, you simply count the last digit of the number as your score. For instance, if a hand contains a 6 and 8 for a total of 14, the hand is valued at 4. The winning hand, either the bank or player, will have a higher total value than the other. The rules determining whether additional cards are drawn are complicated, but it is not necessary for the player to memorize them. The croupier will decide if and when a draw is necessary; the player is never required to make that decision. The rules are included here so the player will understand the reasons behind the croupier's action. 1. If either hand has a value of 8 or 9 (these scores are called naturals), no further cards are dealt. The higher of the two hands is declared the winner. Should both hands have the same value, a tie is declared and neither wins. 2. If neither hand is a natural, a set of complicated rules comes into play. Again, the croupier will make the decisions on drawing cards. Basically the player's hand will take a third card if its value is from 0 to S. It must stand on 6 or 7. The bank's hand must draw if its value is from 0 to 2. When the bank has a value of 3 or more, draw is determined by the printed rules. 3. A bet on the player's hand pays even money. But because the bank hand has a slightly higher percentage of winning (50.7 percent), winning bets on the bank hand are subject to a 5 percent commission paid to the casino. (In practice the bank bets are paid at even money, and the accumulated commissions are paid to the house at the end of the deal or when the player leaves the table.) 4. Players can also bet that the hands will end in a tie. This bet pays at odds of S1, but it is a poor bet because the house has an advantage of nearly 15 percent. Basic Strategy
Because players cannot decide when to draw cards, there is no skill involved in playing baccarat. It is purely a game of chance. However, streaks do occur, and a winning strategy can take advantage of these cycles. A sound winning strategy calls for placing bets on the bank hands. This surprises many players because bank bets are subject to the 5 percent commission. However, the bank should win 50.7 percent of the time, and the 5 percent commission is paid only on winnings, not on losing bets. Therefore, a player has a slightly better advantage by playing the bank. As with other table games such as blackjack and craps, flat bets will, at the very best, even out over the long run. To be successful at baccarat, you should increase bets after winning hands in order |
Baccarat (pronounced bak-eh-rah) is the most glamorous, if not mysterious, game in the casino. The playing tables are usually roped off, and the croupiers staffing them are typically dressed in tuxedos. Three croupiers service the game. The one in charge is the callman, who handles the cards, decides the draw, and announces the winning hand. The other two, who remain seated throughout the game, pay off winning bets and couect losing bets. Because of the Monte Carlo aura surrounding the game, most players are too intiniidated to participate. However, baccarat offers one of the best percentages in the casino, with a house advantage of less than 1.4 percent on "bank" and "player' bets.