Baccarat is indeed an exciting game. This casino staple is filled with plenty of thrills and suspense but is also quite simple to learn and understand. Each and every game of baccarat has three potential outcomes: a banker win, a tie and of course, a player win.
Let’s take a closer look at how to play this game. The rules are quite simple, meaning that quite soon after learning them, you can play the game confidently, ensuring that you are able to enjoy it every step of the way.
You Can Bet On Either Of Two Hands
When playing baccarat, you can bet on either of two hands – the banker’s hand or the player’s hand. There are no rules when it comes to which hand you decide to bet on, but you must make sure that your bet is placed before any cards are dealt.
Take Note Of How The Cards Are Dealt
Two cards will be dealt each to the player and the banker. The operator holding the shoe will take one card out and place it face up in the player’s box. The next card will then be the banker’s, and similarly, will be placed in the banker’s box on the table. Then, another card will be dealt to both the player and the banker.
Point Totals
All ten and face cards are worth zero points. Every other card is worth its face value, except for an ace, which is worth one point. If the total value of a hand is more than 10, the second digit then becomes the value of the hand. For example, if the hand is made up of a nine and a three, the total value of the hand is then 12, which will then make up a two-point hand. The winning hand will be the one that totals closer to nine.
“Natural” Wins
If in the first two cards dealt, the point total is eight or nine for either the player or the banker, this is called a “natural” win. The game is then immediately over.
Third Cards
The point totals will tell you whether or not a player gets a third card. The player’s hand will be completed first. If they reach a total of eight or nine, they will get no additional cards. If the point total is lower than this, they will then draw a third card, provided that the banker does not have a point total of eight or nine.
Determining The Winner
Once all of the cards have been dealt, the winning hand can be calculated simply by determining which one’s points are closest to nine. In the event of a tie, neither the player or the banker wins or loses.
Understanding baccarat is a fairly simple and straight-forward process. The game is easy to play, and the rules are simple. This game will provide you with hours of enjoyment, regardless of whether you are playing it online or in a traditional casino setting.