Baccarat is a game of chance and offers some of the best odds in the casino. While it’s portrayed as being formal and elegant in the movies – James Bond’s favourite – it’s actually a simple game to play with no real strategy or skill required. In fact, it’s a game that can be played by anyone, from beginner to expert. However, like any other casino game it’s important to understand the elements of Baccarat and how the game works.
The game is played on a table with from seven to 14 seats for players and a dealer’s space. There are two hands of cards dealt, called the Player’s and the Banker’s. Each hand is given a number value and the winner of the round is the hand closest to nine points. Picture cards and the tens have a value of zero, while the Ace is worth one point.
In the past both the Player’s and Banker’s hands were kept secret. The card dealing rules dictated that the Banker’s second card could be drawn only if the Player had requested it and the Player would have stood with a total of four or less. The banker also knew how much money had been placed on the Player’s and Banker’s hand.
The game has evolved over time to allow the Player and Banker’s hand to be revealed before the third card is drawn. This reduces the banker’s commission rate to 5% and gives the Banker hand a greater advantage.