Baccarat has become one of the most popular games in casinos around the world. The game of choice for high rollers, baccarat is played with real cash and a special table set apart from the general gaming area.
The goal is to bet on the Banker or Player hand that will subsequently have a total closest to nine. In a typical round both hands are dealt two cards each and the winning hand is that with a total closest to 9. A ten or higher count as zero. The dealer pays out or collects winning bets and takes a 5% commission on the winning Banker hand.
When playing baccarat, it is best to stick with the game’s main bets and avoid side-bets. The house edge on these bets can be very high depending on the payouts and should be avoided.
It is also important to understand how the game works and the rules before placing any bets. In most cases a minimum bet of $20-$25 is standard. The game is a very fast-paced game with few opportunities to change your mind once the bets are placed.
A number of different versions of baccarat are played at casinos and online. These versions can have small differences and may affect the house edge on the Banker and Player bets. A lower number of decks of cards in play may also reduce the house edge but can make the Player bet more expensive.