Baccarat is the card game that conjures images of Sean Connery and James Bond in tuxedos and glitzy casinos. The enigmatic game may seem intimidating, but it is actually easy to learn and a lot of fun to play. Here’s what you need to know.
A game of baccarat begins with a player declaring “Go Bank” or “Player”. Then, players go in counterclockwise order and place their bets against the banker’s initial wager amount. If a player wants to bet more than the banker’s total, they can do so, but they must announce that they are doing so before they put down their chips.
Once the bets are placed, the croupier deals two cards to each hand. The aim is to get the total closest to nine. If the player and banker hands both total 9 in their first two cards, it is a tie and no one wins or loses. If the player and banker hands tie, a third card is drawn to determine the winner.
When neither the player nor banker have a total of 9 after the first deal, the tableau is consulted. If the banker drew a third card, it is a stand and they will win. The player must stand if they have a total of 6 after the first deal, and they will draw if their total is 5 or less.
If a player wins, they qualify for a 1 to 1 payout. The winning banker hand is eligible for a similar payout, but the house must pay a 5% commission on banker bets, which reduces the odds to 19 to 20. The winning tie bet qualifies for an even money payout of 8 to 1.
A baccarat table is set with a large, rectangular felt playing surface and a table apron. There is also a banker box and a discard tray. In addition to the standard bets on Banker, Player, and Tie, there are several other side bets in baccarat. These bets can be as simple as a player pair or a banker ace, but they can add more excitement to the game.
The dealer is responsible for collecting and paying out bets, and tracking the 5% commission on winning banker bets. They are usually tracked in a small commission box near the banker’s booth, and the box is filled with cash each time it is owed.
A casino baccarat dealer is typically a full-time employee and must be trained to follow the rules of the game and other responsibilities. These responsibilities include dealing the cards, keeping track of the bets, and calculating the winners and losers. They are also expected to know the rules of baccarat and be able to explain the game to guests. They must be polite and professional. A baccarat dealer should also be able to work under pressure and handle high stakes. It is important for them to be able to focus on the game and keep their emotions in check.