Baccarat is one of the most popular card games in casinos around the world. It’s a simple game to learn and can be quite exciting to play. However, despite its popularity, there are many myths surrounding the game that must be dispelled. Read on to find out more about the game of baccarat and what to expect before you walk into a casino to try it for yourself.
The history of baccarat, or punto banco, dates back to medieval Italy. From there it made its way to France where the game was adopted by the upper class and aristocrats. The game quickly spread to other parts of Europe and then to Asia where it is now played by millions of people worldwide.
During a round of baccarat, six decks of cards are used and shuffled together. The players are seated in random order and the game is played around an oval table. The croupier is in charge of the game and is responsible for dealing out two hands: the player hand, or punto, and the banker hand, or banco. The croupier is also responsible for the rules of the game and making decisions on when to draw cards.
After the croupier deals out the cards, each hand is compared to a nine-point total. If the player hand or banker hand totals nine, this is called a “natural” and the bets placed on these outcomes are paid out. If neither hand totals eight or nine, a third card may be drawn depending on the rules of the game.
The player and banker hands are dealt two cards each, and the value of each is determined by adding up the values of the individual cards and deducting the tens digit from the total. Face cards and aces count as zero, and the remaining digit is the value of the hand. If the total is higher than nine, the first digit is dropped, so a seven and a three is a value of five.
The game is simple to learn, but there are many myths surrounding it. One of the most common is that the croupier must draw a third card when the player’s hand has a score of seven or more. While the rule is true in most casinos, it is not always the case and it can actually be advantageous to bet on the banker when the player’s hand has a 7 or more. As a former Nevada Gaming Control agent, casino dealer, executive, and consultant, Bill Zender literally wrote the book on managing casino games and has seen baccarat grow considerably over the years. He says that while the game may have a reputation for being complicated and full of snobby dealers, it is actually a very simple game to play. Its simplicity and the fact that it is a non-commission game make it very appealing to new and casual gamblers. A game of baccarat is finished in seconds and is one of the least intimidating casino games for players to try.
