Simple Ways to Play Baccarat
Baccarat is a game of chance with rules that can seem complex and intimidating, but there are simple ways to play the game that can make your experience much more fun. The objective of the game is to bet on a hand, Player or Banker, that will come closest to nine when the final digit of all the pips (the dots on a card that represent clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades) are added up. The game is played on a large table covered in green felt with numbered areas for the Players and Bankers to place their chips or money.
Eight cards are shuffled together and then dealt by the croupier, or dealer, from a box known as the shoe. The dealer only deals the cards, but does not participate in any other aspect of the game. A baccarat table has 12 seats, six on either side of the dealer who only banks the game and does not otherwise interact with the players. The player’s betting areas are marked on the green felt, and the croupier will usually accept only cash wagers, but some players choose to use electronic displays to keep track of their bets.
Players can bet on the Player or Banker to win a round of baccarat, and the Banker pays out at 95% of your stake if you win. Most casinos also offer a Tie bet, which offers a return of 8 to 1 if the Banker or Player hands are equal. Most games of baccarat are over within 15 minutes, and the results are determined by whether or not a third card is drawn.
The history of Baccarat goes back to 1764 when Louis XV established a glass workshop in the town of Baccarat in Lorraine, Eastern France. The company became famous for the engraved glassware it produced, often with a prismatic lustre. The glassware was made in thick short-stemmed glasses that were prized for their ability to reflect a range of colours.
Baccarat’s popularity increased throughout the 19th century when it was showcased at the great international exhibitions of the day. Joseph Paxton’s Crystal Palace and F. & C. Osler’s monumental chandeliers were among the attractions that impressed visitors from across the world. The exhibitions provided a platform for the firm to impress important artistic patrons and to build its reputation as one of the leading producers of luxury goods in Europe.
Unlike games like blackjack where players can influence the outcome by making decisions before the deal, in Baccarat there is only one decision to be made before the cards are dealt – to bet on the Banker or the Player, or the tie. Having the right knowledge of these decisions will help you to be confident when playing Baccarat and can even give you an edge over the dealer. For example, understanding when a third card will be drawn and when it won’t can make all the difference in your winnings.