Baccarat Basics – How to Win at Baccarat
Baccarat is a casino game with simple rules that do not require any technical skill. It is played in high stakes sections of European and Nevada casinos. The object of the game is to wager on a hand that you think will total closest to nine. It is an exciting game to play, but it can be dangerous if you lose control of your budget. Here are some tips to help you avoid getting carried away and keep your bankroll in check.
There are from seven to 14 seats for players seated around the table, each with an area to place Player, Banker or Tie bets. The dealer also has his own area. The dealer will deal two cards to the player and the banker. If the total of both hands is eight or 9, there is no need for a third card to be drawn. If the total is nine, or ten, the hand is won and the winning bet is paid out.
If the total of the player’s and banker’s cards is more than nine, the second digit of the total value is used for scoring purposes. For example, an 8 and a 7 would count as 15 points; the second number being the value of the 8. Aces count as zero and picture cards are worth their pip value. The remaining cards are worth their face value.
In some cases the dealer may draw a third card, even if the total is nine. This is called a “tie” in some jurisdictions and the third card rule can be difficult to follow. A chart that tells the dealer whether or not to draw a third card is generally available, but it will vary by game and casino. Ask your dealer or press the ‘i’ button on online baccarat games for a copy of the chart.
Some Baccarat tables have a paper chart in addition to the electronic displays. These charts are designed to guide the banker on when it is safe to stand or draw a third card. The charts are usually referred to as the ‘bead plate road’ although this name has been translated to other English-language versions such as ‘cube road’, ‘dice road’ and’marker road’.
The ‘bead plate road’ also serves to record the number of rounds that have passed since the shoe was opened. The ‘roads’ are cleared after each round of play, but are reconstructed at the start of the next shoe.
In addition to the Player, Banker and Tie bets, many Baccarat games offer a variety of side bets. These side bets typically have higher house edges than the main bets and should be avoided if possible. Many of the side bets are based on the outcome of specific events in the game and can be quite confusing. It is not unusual for a single game to have several different side bets at the same time. The side bets can also differ between casinos.