Baccarat is one of the world’s most beloved casino card games, boasting long history across Europe and Asia and recently reaching North America. To play baccarat, bettors attempt to select which hand they think will have a total value that closest approaches nine. Two cards are dealt to each hand and their values added together before considering only second digit totals (seven plus six would result in 13 for example). There are five forms of bet available when betting baccarat: Player Bet, Banker’s Bet Tie Bet Super Six Bet Pair Bet
Baccarat typically requires a minimum bet of $20-$25, though the exact figure can differ from casino to casino.
Played on a large circular table that seats 14 players and a dealer area, players and banks receive cards according to their game version for both Player’s and Banker’s hands and the dealer determines if either hand has won.
When either the Player’s or Banker’s hands total 8 or 9, it is known as a natural and all bets placed are paid out immediately. If neither hand has achieved a natural, an additional card may be drawn and if that draws makes both hands equal 8 or 9, play is completed and all bets paid. If neither hand had achieved naturals before drawing an additional card a “natural”, all wagers placed before that momentous moment will be returned as payments to those winning! If neither hand managed a natural, but neither hand had had made 8 or 9 totalling 8 or 9, all bets placed will be paid out right then!
Baccarat is widely considered one of the world’s most beloved casino games, yet can be daunting for new or casual gamblers. Without high commission environments in play, baccarat can often resemble a coinflip (1-1.5% house edge). Furthermore, each round can be completed within mere seconds!
An expert baccarat player may be able to beat the game, though it requires considerable practice and dedication. Those who have succeeded at beating it are considered professionals and often appear at casinos with high-limit rooms around the world. These professionals can lower the house edge in Baccarat using edge sorting combined with card counting. While not applicable to every game of baccarat, edge sorting provides significant advantages against the house. Professional baccarat players have even found ways to turn professional baccarat into a lucrative source of income by selling their strategy, with Phil Hellmuth becoming perhaps the best-known example by winning millions through playing baccarat. There are other players with substantial incomes from winning at baccarat; some have even earned over $100,000 with just one wager! However, these players typically possess large bankrolls and play selectively. Furthermore, they only take risks rarely to maximize earnings; hence they are sometimes known as “bankroll maniacs.” This article first appeared in Forbes Passport newsletter.