Enjoy the high-rollers favourite

Everybody has heard about baccarat, but when compared to slots games few people have actually played baccarat. And it comes as no surprise to players to learn that this particular casino table game was originally designed specifically for the casino’s high rollers. Indeed in years gone by, baccarat – from the French spelling of the Italian word ‘baccara’ meaning zero – was born. And in this game there’s one particular element that is quite unique: you can’t go bust.

How the game became so popular

Baccarat was always reserved for the aristocrats of society. These folks included the royal families of several countries. Indeed this hush-hush approach to playing the game meant two things. Firstly it was the domain of only those with fantastic wealth and it became somewhat of a mystery to the average man on the street. Knowing full-well that it was the game of nobility and high rollers made it very appealing to everyone else. So when casinos and online casinos offered this game to players, they lapped it up in their droves.

There are several other names that baccarat goes by, including Chemin De Fer and Punto Banco. Believe it or not this riveting card game is particularly prolific in American casinos, largely because it’s a simple game and it pays out well. Don’t for a second think that it’s tough to play either – because it isn’t. There are basically two betting options you have in your arsenal: the player bet and the banker bet. If you place a wager on the banker, the odds are 1.17% for the house and if you wager on the player’s hand the odds are 1.36% for the house. Get this: there are no strategies to master; it’s a really easy game to play.

What is the goal of baccarat?

Of course you want to win. So after you’ve selected either player or banker you need to play the game. The goal is to bet on the 2 or 3-card hand that totals closer to a value of 9. Tens and face cards assume a value of 0 points. The remainder of the cards have their face value and Aces are 1 point. Here’s the clincher: if you go over 10, then the 10 is subtracted from your hand value. For example 9+8=17 but your baccarat hand will value 7. There are typically 14 players at a sprawling baccarat table and the ‘shoe’ is passed around

When to stand

• Always draw a card on these totals – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10
• Always stand on 6 or 7
• A natural is 8 or 9