From sticky floor California card rooms to the tuxedo-laden casinos of Monaco, Baccarat is one of the world’s most popular games. It is a table game where players wager on the outcome of two hands: the player’s and the banker’s. It has simple rules and elegant game play, which have captivated gamblers from around the globe for centuries.
The game is based on the ancient Etruscan ritual of throwing a nine-sided die. In baccarat, the goal is to wager on the hand that has a final digit closest to 9. The dealer deals both the Player and the Banker cards face up, visible to all the players at the table. The player and banker both bet on who will win, with a wager on a tie also possible. If the hand total is 8 or 9, it’s a “natural” and all bets are paid. If the hand total is less than 8, a third card is drawn following specific rules.
Depending on the version of the game played (there are different rules for both Punto Banco and Chemin de Fer), there may be anywhere from seven to 14 seats for players, plus a dealer’s area. The player’s and the banker’s cards are dealt in front of each player, but the cards are not shown to other players. Picture cards and Tens are worth zero points, while cards numbered 2-9 count their numerical value and the Ace counts as one point. The total is calculated by adding up the number of each pips on each hand. The hand with the sum of digits closest to 9 is declared the winner.
When you bet on the Player’s hand, you are wagering that the Player’s hand will have a higher total than the Banker’s. The payout on this bet is 1:1, minus a 5 percent commission. The house edge on the Player’s bet is lower than on the Banker’s, but it still exists.
The game is incredibly fast, and the rounds are finished in seconds. This, along with the low house edge, makes baccarat among the most accessible casino games to new or casual players. But the game is not without its secrets, and some players have a definite strategy that works for them. One such player, whom we’ll call Francois, has a plan. And that plan is a secret to everyone but him.