Baccarat is an ancient game that has found new life in the casinos of Asia and, more recently, in the US. Though it’s often portrayed in the movies as being high-stakes and sophisticated, baccarat is actually a simple game of pure chance that’s easy for beginners to learn. Unlike many casino games where players can’t affect the outcome of the cards, Baccarat allows players to wager on either the Player hand or the Banker hand, and whoever has the highest total after all the cards are dealt wins.
Baccarat, also known as baccara or bah kara in some countries, has its roots in an Etruscan legend about a virgin who was forced to throw a nine-sided die to determine her fate. If she threw an eight or a nine, she would become a priestess; if she threw lower, she’d be allowed to live but not take part in any future religious or community events. The game eventually spread from Italy to neighboring France, where it was renamed as Chemin de Fer (“Chemmy”) and became a favorite among King Charles VIII’s noblemen. From there, it spread throughout Europe and into Asia.
In modern baccarat, six decks of cards are used and shuffled together before play begins. A croupier deals the cards and players are seated in a random order around an oval table. Score sheets are available at every table and most players use them to keep track of the outcome of each round. Baccarat is a game of comparing hands and the goal is to have the hand you’re betting on, either the player or the banker, get closer to nine than the opponent’s. Counting cards isn’t necessary, but a basic understanding of the rules is: tens, jacks and queens count as zero, and aces count as one.
A bet on the banker pays out 8 to 1 and has a house edge of only 1.2 percent, which is lower than blackjack, full pay video poker and craps. There is a third option to bet on the tie, but it has a much higher house edge of 14 percent and isn’t recommended for anyone but serious baccarat players.
Baccarat is a simple game that can be enjoyed by novices and experts alike. The only real decision to make is player vs banker and that’s really just a coin flip. The game is played slowly, and players can enjoy the experience without feeling overwhelmed by complicated rules or high stakes. It’s a great game for new or casual players and offers some of the best odds in the casino. So if you’re looking for an exciting, relaxing and rewarding game, give baccarat a try. You won’t regret it. Sign up at William Hill Casino today and start playing baccarat! It’s free and easy to join. Plus you can earn comps and rewards for your play.
