Baccarat is one of the world’s most popular casino games. From sticky-floor California card rooms to the tuxedo-laden casinos of Monaco, this game has become a staple of the high-stakes gambling scene. But it’s also a game that is easy to understand and play, even for the casual gambler.
Baccarat consists of two or more hands dealt by the croupier (casino staff who collects bets and assists at the gaming tables). The goal is to correctly predict which hand will win – Bank, Player, or Tie. Two cards are dealt to each hand, and sometimes a third card is dealt. The winning hand is the one closest to nine. The croupier then announces the results. The game is fast paced and the stakes are high, but the game itself is simple.
A game of baccarat can be played with anywhere from three to six 52-card decks that have been shuffled together. The values of the cards are added to form a hand’s total, but only the rightmost digit is taken into account. Ace cards are worth one point, while other face cards (Jacks, Queens & Kings) count as zero. Tens,
The game of baccarat is popular worldwide and is particularly well-known in Macau. Last year, Macau’s 40 casinos generated over $33.2 billion in profits – more than any other city in the world. Baccarat is also a major draw for Singapore casinos, which rank second only to Macau in worldwide casino revenue. Even on the Las Vegas Strip, baccarat accounts for about 18 percent of casino winnings.
