Baccarat Basics

Baccarat is a table game played with six, seven, or eight standard decks of cards. The objective is to correctly predict whether a player’s or banker’s hand will win the round, or in the case of a tie, which side the winning bet will be on. The dealer will then tot up the values of each hand and pay out the winning wagers based on those totals.

Generally speaking, the first digit of a hand’s value is dropped in order to determine its total value. For example, a combination of an 8 and a 7 is worth five points. A 9 and a seven, however, is worth nine points. This is known as edge sorting and is a key component of the game.

Before the game starts, players and the banker will place their bets. Once all of the bets are placed, the dealer will deal two cards to each hand. If the hand’s value is closer to nine than the opposing hand, the player’s or banker’s bet wins. If the hand’s value is above nine, the hand’s first digit is dropped. The tens, jacks, and queens count as zero points. The kings and aces count as one point each.

If a bet on the player’s hand is correct, the winner will receive a payout of 1 to 1. In the event that a bet on the banker’s hand is correct, a 5% commission is added to the winnings. A winning tie bet will be paid out at an odds of 8 to 1. A score sheet is available at most baccarat tables and can help you keep track of your bets and wins.

The game of baccarat is one of the most popular casino games in Asia and has been a staple at casinos in Asia for decades. It’s also a favorite among high rollers who flock to casinos in Las Vegas and Macau in search of the game’s unique culture. As a result, the game has become a staple of the casino business and is expected to continue to do so well into the future.