Why Baccarat is a Casino Classic
When we think of popular casino games, we might be tempted to think of blackjack, roulette or poker, but one game that shouldn't be overlooked is Baccarat, a classic casino game that is famous for its simplicity and elegance.
Originating in Italy way back in the 15th century, it wasn't long before its popularity spread to France, where it became a favourite among royalty and the aristocracy. But why and how did it gain such an audience? Well, for many, the game's main element lies in its straightforward gameplay: where players simply have to bet on either the 'player' or 'banker' hand or a tie, with the goal of reaching a hand total closest to nine.
These days, Baccarat is adopted by players from all over the world, thanks to its low house edge and gameplay.
What is Baccarat?
Baccarat is a simplistic card game and learning to play is straightforward. It essentially involves two main hands: the 'player' and the 'banker'. Players just have to bet on which hand they think will have a total closest to nine - or whether the hands will be a tie.
Here's how it plays out:
- Place Your Bet: You decide whether to place your bet on the 'player' hand, the 'banker' hand, or on a tie.
- The Deal: Two cards are then dealt to both the player's and banker's hands.
- Hands are Calculated: Cards 2-9 are valued at their face value, while 10 and face cards (J, Q and K) are worth zero, and Aces are worth one point. If the total value of the hand goes over nine, only the second digit counts (e.g. a total of 16 will become 6).
- Is There a Natural Win? If either of the hand totals 8 or 9, it's a natural win, and the game is decided.
- The Third Card: If there is no clear winner, depending on the specific baccarat game, a third card may need to be drawn.
- Winning: The hand that is closest to nine wins - and if you bet on the winning hand, you win.
A Game of Simplicity
Baccarat's simplicity is one of the main reasons it is so popular. Unlike many casino games that require you to learn intricate strategies (such as the blackjack basic strategy, for example) and have a deep understanding of optimal moves, Baccarat requires very little learning.
You only need to decide whether you want to bet on the 'player', 'banker', or bet on the tie, with no other complex decisions or tactics to worry about. You don't even need to know when a third card should be drawn, as this is led by the dealer.
This straightforwardness is a highlight, making it adaptable for all players.
Links within Pop Culture
Baccarat has also managed to cement its place in pop culture - mainly thanks to its famous association with Bond, James Bond. The world-famous spy is often depicted playing Baccarat - in both the novels and the films, such as Dr. No and Casino Royale, helping the game to reach the spotlight across the world.
Baccarat has also appeared in various other TV shows and films, which adds even more to the game's background.
A Wide Variety of Versions
Whilst the game revels in its simplicity, Baccarat also boasts a surprisingly decent selection of versions, which means that there are always plenty of chances for players to find a new game to try.
There are more traditional variations, such as Punto Banco, Chemin de Fer, and Mini-Baccarat, that come with different rules and dynamics that cater to all sorts of player tastes and strategies. With the innovation of online casinos, there are more baccarat options than ever.
You now have the chance to explore all sorts of innovative versions with various bonus features, side bets, and incredible graphics, adding even more to your baccarat gaming experience.
Whether you're looking for a more classic experience or want to try something new, the huge choice of baccarat versions means that there's something ticking different boxes in terms of gameplay.
The House Edge
It's also worth noting that the game of Baccarat has one of the lowest house edges of all the popular casino games, usually sitting at around 1.06% for the banker's hand bet and 1.24% for the player hand bet - which is why the Banker bet is always such a popular choice with players. That being said, the tie bet has a house edge of 14.36%.