Baccarat, the casino game made famous by James Bond, is a simple guessing game that offers some of the highest payouts in the casino. Its portrayed as being elegant, slow-paced and sophisticated in the movies, but it’s actually an easy-to-play game of pure chance with no strategy or skill needed to win.
The rules of the game vary slightly depending on whether you’re playing the “punto banco” or the “chemin de fer” (where players may opt to take a third card) form, but the goal is the same: bet on whichever hand, Player or Banker, will come closest to nine points after the cards are dealt. The croupier deals two cards to the Player and the Banker, then announces the winning hand. If neither hand hits nine, the tie bet pays off at 8:1 – but the House edge is more than 14 percent, so most serious players stick with the Player or Banker bets.
Baccarat is one of the few casino games where there’s a way to reduce the house edge by using card counting. A player can apply this technique in conjunction with a technique called edge sorting to cut the House edge by around 0.05%.
While baccarat hasn’t caught on in the United States like blackjack or craps, it’s grown enormously in Asia. In fact, last year Macau casinos made more money from baccarat than any casino on the Strip in Las Vegas.
The game has also become popular online, with several websites offering baccarat tables alongside other table games and casino favorites. These online baccarat sites are usually run by major gambling operators and offer a range of payment methods. Many of them also have special e-gaming promotions and bonuses to attract players.
In addition to online baccarat, some casinos offer live dealer baccarat games in their land-based facilities. These games are typically held in high-end rooms, often in private suites. They are a great option for players who want to experience the atmosphere of a real casino without leaving the comfort of their own homes.
The popularity of baccarat has also led to the development of new variations and betting options. For example, the game can now be played on a smaller table with lower minimums than previously. And, players can bet on a variety of side bets in addition to the main bets on Player and Banker. These additional bets can increase the fun factor while lowering the overall house edge of the game.
