Baccarat is a casino table game that is popular among high rollers. It offers a low house edge and is simple to learn. The game involves placing bets on either the Player, Banker or Tie hand. The hand whose total value is closest to nine wins the hand. Cards 2 through 9 hold their face value, and tens and faces count as zero. The game is played on large tables, and some casinos use a special palette for it. The palette allows the dealer to move the cards with ease without leaving their seat.
Baccarat has a long history and was once a favorite of French royalty. The game was banned in France during the 19th century, but it remained popular in private homes and with wealthy gamblers. It was later introduced in casinos and is now a staple on the Strip. Casinos in Macau make more money from the game than those in Las Vegas, and it is one of the most popular games in Asia.
Unlike blackjack, in which the player has some control over their own hand, the cards are dealt and drawn by the croupier in baccarat. The player does not play any part in the decision-making process, and their only task is to place a bet on whether they think the Player or Banker hand will win.
After the player makes their bet, the croupier deals two cards to the Player and Banker hands. The Player and Banker hands are then compared to see which is closer to 9. The total of the Player Hand is determined by adding the value of the two cards. If the sum is more than 9 points, the first digit is dropped (e.g., a 7 and 6 becomes a 4).
The game’s rules are designed to prevent the Banker from having an advantage over the Player, so the banker side of the bet pays out eight to one. This gives the game a relatively low house edge of just over 1.2 percent. The game also has a third bet, the Tie, which pays off at 1 to 1, but this is a risky bet with a much higher house edge of more than 14 percent.
Baccarat is a simple game to play, and its popularity has increased with the rise of Asian gambling. Players can find the game at many live casinos, and there are even some online baccarat sites. While some people might think the game is a complicated and expensive form of gambling, it’s actually very easy to understand, and has no hidden fees or complex strategies. In addition, baccarat is played with real cash, rather than chips, so players can enjoy the James Bond-style thrills of Las Vegas gambling without having to deal with the hassle of changing currency or carrying large amounts of cash around.