Baccarat is an elegant game of chance played in sophisticated salons. The game can be very rewarding if you employ a systematic approach to bankroll management and effective betting systems.
The most popular version of the game is called Punto Banco, and it has one of the lowest house edges in the casino. It is also the simplest.
Origins
The exact origins of baccarat are a bit unclear. Some sites claim that it was invented in the 1400s by an Italian gambler called Felix Falguiere. He reportedly played it with tarot cards and named it baccarat, which means zero, since the tens, jacks and queens have a zero value.
From Italy, the game migrated to neighboring France and became popular with the aristocracy. It was then known as chemin de fer or “chemmy.” It remained popular until Louis Phillipe banned games of chance in the country.
Today, baccarat is still the game of choice for many high-end casino goers and thrills gamblers worldwide. But it may have an ancestor from the Silk Road, which was a trade route between the East and West.
Rules
Baccarat is a game of chance. Players wager on either the player or banker hand and are paid out according to whichever hand comes closest to nine. Players can also place a bet on a tie. The game is slow-paced, and the revealing of cards creates a dramatic tension.
Players use score cards and pencils to keep track of the outcome of each hand. They can even choose to analyze the card distribution to look for patterns. However, this strategy is not effective in predicting correct Banker or Player outcomes.
The Fibonacci betting sequence is a more structured approach that capitalizes on winning streaks but limits losses during losing streaks. It involves increasing your bets after each loss and decreasing them after each win.
Bets
Baccarat is a game that offers decent payouts with relatively low risk. This makes it a great casino game for beginners and experienced players alike. However, it’s important to understand the betting rules and strategies in order to maximize your winning potential.
The banker’s bet has the lowest house edge, at 1.06 percent, and is generally considered to be the most favorable bet in baccarat. A winning banker bet pays 1:1, and a 5% commission is charged on all banker wins.
The player’s bet has a higher house edge, at 1.24 percent, and is less favorable than the banker’s bet. The player’s bet also has a lower payout, at 1:1. There are several side bets available in baccarat, including the Tiger bets, which pay out if the Player or Banker hand forms a pair on their first two cards.
Payouts
The payouts in baccarat depend on your bet. Bets on the Player, Banker, or a Tie pay out based on their odds and probabilities. Those betting against the bank enjoy the highest payouts, while those placing bets on the tie earn the lowest return.
The banker bet has a house edge of 1.06 percent, which is less than the advantage casinos have in most other casino games. However, players are required to pay a 5% commission when winning their banker bets.
In addition to the Player and Banker bets, some baccarat variants offer side bets, including the Dragon Bonus wager, which pays based on the poker value of the first two cards in the Banker’s and Player’s hands. Other side bets include a variety of pair bets and the Lucky 8 wager, which pays when either the Banker or Player hand wins with a natural eight.
Variations
There are several variations of baccarat, each with unique rules and side bets. The most common type is Punto Banco, which is played in most casinos. The other types are less popular and offer a different experience.
Chemin de Fer is a quicker version that was created in France. It is still the most popular in its homeland, where it was first played in opulent and secretive gambling salons called saloon prives.
The game is played with six decks of cards and runs in a counterclockwise direction. Winning bets are paid out according to a table chart. The Player and Banker bets pay out 1:1 and a tie bet pays 9:1. A 5% commission is charged when the Banker wins. EZ Baccarat is another variant that eliminates the standard commission on Banker wins.