Baccarat History

The present form of Baccarat can be traced back to Italy. Targeted towards high rollers, Baccarat tables used to be exclusive territory with roped off access and dealers dressed in tuxedos.

How to Play Baccarat

Baccarat is a very simple game to play with no decisions made after a bet is placed. A bet on the Banker pays even money minus a 5% house commission. A bet on a Tie pays 8 to 1. After players make their bets the dealer deals a two-card hand to the Banker and Player. If neither hand is 9 a hand with a total of 8 is a Natural winner. There are many debates pertaining to the history of baccarat, particularly where the game was invented: France or Italy. It was later on introduced in France around 1490 A. And remained an exclusive game to the French nobility for some time before becoming a casino game. The title of banker rotates around the table in a manner similar to the dice at a craps table. The Baccarat we know today originated in Great Britain and was then passed along to South America and finally to Nevada. Baccarat has a history overseas too, which is evidenced by its popularity among the Asian population who visit Las Vegas each year. The highest of the high rollers often come from overseas to try their hand under the chandeliers of the stylish Vegas baccarat rooms. The limits are lower and usually range from a $2 to $5 minimum, up to $500 maximum.

Baccarat Rules

Baccarat is a game of chance, all you have to decide is which hand you think will win. Baccarat is played with eight decks of cards without Jokers. At the beginning of a new game or when the Cut Card in the Shoe is dealt, the dealer will shuffle all decks together and put them back in the shoe, called "The Bank". If the value of the first card is a four, for instance, the dealer will take the next four cards out of the shoe and discard them in a tray next to it along with the first card. If the hand you bet on wins you get a one to one payoff. When there is a Tie and you did not bet on it nobody looses or wins. At first the value of the cards might seem a little odd, but it's really simple to understand. That is why the Ten, Jack, Queen and the King count 0 and the Ace only one. The game begins with players placing bets. Depending on hand outcomes, the player hand will either draw a third card or stand. a baccarat hand will never exceed three cards total. A hand of seven and four has a value of 1. First off, know that right from the beginning a hand of 8 or 9 automatically wins. If both hands have an 8 or 9, the game is deemed a tie, in which all Tie Bets win. Player shows a 6, 7, 8, or 9 (8 and 9 win) Player Hand must Stand. Once the player hand is finished and standing, the bank hand will determine whether it must draw a third card. Banker shows a 4 Banker Hand must Draw if player's draw card is a 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 Banker Hand must Stand if player's draw card is a 0, 1, 8 or 9. Banker shows a 5 Banker Hand must Draw if player's draw card is a 4, 5, 6, or 7 Banker Hand must Stand if player's draw card is a 0,1, 2, 3, 8 or 9. Banker shows a 6 Banker Hand must Draw if player's draw card is a 6 or 7 Banker Hand must Stand if player's draw card is a 0,1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 or 9. An ace counts as 1, two counts as 2, etc,, , up through nine counts as 9, but tens (jacks, queens and kings) count as 0. Both the banker and the player are dealt two cards, and depending on the value of the hand, might be dealt a third in either case. If the player or banker has a two card total of 8 or 9, he/she turns the cards over immediately. This is of course because there is more of a chance for a banker win. So from reading this page you should have picked up enough about baccarat rules to play a game. It may still be a good idea to try it online first, and within minutes you'll feel comfortable enough to play anywhere. Three dealers run the game and one of these is the caller who runs the game and stands between positions 1 and 15. Player put their bets on the numbered box in front of the players after the winner is called the other two dealers pay out or collect from the winners and losers around the table. The aim of the game is to get as close to 9 as possible and if you are nearer then you win. A 9 is the best hand and beats all other totals followed by 8, if both the dealer and the player has an 8 or 9 the hand is tied and no money changes hands. If the dealer has 1 then he must draw. If the dealer has 9 then he must stand. Once all the hands are dealt it is closest to 9 that wins.

Tips

- Depending on the number of decks being played, the casino advantage for the player hand wager is generally 15%, whereas on the banker hand it is only 16%. The banker hand does carry with it a 5% vig, or commission, bringing the House Edge up to 2%. As for the tie wager, it should be out of the question since it gives a casino advantage of nearly 15%.
- A baccarat game using eight decks will deliver a probability of 456% of winning on the bank hand, 442% of winning on the player hand, and 92% of winning on a Tie. These same probabilities in a baccarat game with six decks are 457% on the banker hand, 443% on the player hand, and 91% on the Tie. For the player and tie hands in an eight deck game, the edge is slightly better in the eight deck games.
- Usually this commission is 5%, which returns a House Edge of approximately 15%. If you can get a 4% commission, by all means take advantage of it - and bet on the banker every time.
- Any system like the Martingale, which is designed to cover losses, should be avoided. Unless you have a very hearty bankroll, and do not mind losing every bit of it, play with a money management system that does not try to chase after losses.

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