Baccarat, that enigmatic game that brings to mind images of men in tuxedos and women in elegant evening gowns laying down chips as the dealer deals cards, is a game that exudes refinement. It’s also one of the world’s most popular casino games, bringing in billions for casinos worldwide each year. But it’s more than just a game of chance; it comes with its own unique set of customs, terminology, and formalities that create a richer experience for players.
The rules of baccarat vary slightly from one casino to the next, but the basic rules remain the same. The goal is to bet on a hand, either the player’s or banker’s, that will have a final digit closest to nine. To do this, the pips on each card—the dots that make up the suits of clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades—are added together to produce a total value. Aces count as 1 while kings and queens are worth 0 points. A 9 is the best possible score, but a 7 or 6 are also good. If neither the player nor banker has a 9 in their hand, the game is a tie.
While the rules of baccarat are fairly straightforward, many people struggle to learn how to play it well. That’s because the game requires a certain amount of patience and discipline to master. But if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, it’s not too difficult to become a proficient baccarat player.
In addition to learning the rules of baccarat, you should also practice betting patterns and strategies that will help you win more often. For example, if you’re looking to beat the house edge on banker bets, try using the Martingale system—a strategy that’s commonly used in roulette and works great for outside bets on baccarat.
Baccarat is a big deal around the globe, but it’s even bigger in Macau, where the game has dethroned Las Vegas as the number-one casino game. Last year, Macau casinos made over 88 percent of their total revenue from baccarat. And on the Strip, baccarat is the second-most lucrative game behind slots.