Baccarat – Easy to Learn and Has an Attractive House Edge

Baccarat (pronounced ba:kra:t) is a popular card game that is easy to learn and has an attractive house edge. It can be found in casinos across the world from sticky-floor California card rooms to tuxedo-laden tables in Monaco. The name is derived from the Italian word for zero, referring to the fact that cards with a value of ten or less count as zero, while aces always count as one.

The game has two opposing sides, the Player Hand and the Banker Hand, with a third option of a tie. Each hand is dealt two cards that are shown to all players at the table, and you can bet on either the Player or Banker hand with your chips. The winning hand is the one that comes closest to a total of nine points. Baccarat is a great choice for new and experienced players alike.

Although the exact history of baccarat is unclear, most believe that it was invented in 1500s Rome, Italy, by Felix Falguiere. It is thought that the game was originally played as a game of life or death, and a card lower than a six meant death. Baccarat was later brought to France where it was a favorite among royalty and noblemen for several centuries.

In the 19th century, baccarat made its way to America where it became a hit among high rollers and other players looking to push their luck. Today, baccarat is still one of the most popular games in casino cardrooms, and it can be seen at all levels of gaming from low limit to high-stakes tables.

Its simplicity and low minimum bets make it an ideal game for the casual or new gambler. It is also a quick game, with each round completed in seconds and even faster in non-commission versions. It is considered to be the least intimidating casino game for players of all skill levels, and it can be a great way to test your skills.

Whether you are playing the modern Punto Banco version of the game or its more ancient cousin, Chemin de Fer, there is only one basic rule: Bet on whichever hand will win. In the past, a number of different dealers dealt the cards and players placed their bets against each other as well as the house. Today, only one dealer deals the cards and bets are placed against the house.

Before you play, decide how much you want to spend and treat it as money you would spend on a night out. That way you won’t get carried away and lose more than you can afford to lose. It is important to know the rules of the game, including when a third card will be drawn.

Once everyone has placed their bets, the dealer will deal one card to the Player box and another to the Banker box. The player who has bet on the winning hand will collect the payout if that hand has a higher value than the other.