Baccarat is an upscale casino game that evokes images of high society. It’s also one of the most popular games among high rollers. However, it has a reputation for being unnecessarily expensive and out of reach for less wealthy gamblers. Fortunately, the house edge is relatively low and a bit easier to understand than in some other casino games.
Baccarat players place bets on whether the player hand, banker hand or a tie will win. The dealer deals two cards for each hand and the winner is the hand that totals closest to nine. The game originated in Italy and made its way to France, where it became popular with the aristocracy. Eventually it became a favorite of the royal court.
Those who wager on the winning Banker or Player hands receive a commission from the casino, which ranges from 5-10%. In some casinos, this is even higher. It’s important to be aware of these commissions when playing baccarat.
The croupier is the dealer in a baccarat game. He or she will draw one card to the Player box and then a second card to the Banker box. A third card may be drawn if the first two cards have a total of eight or 9.
While many people associate baccarat with fictional spy James Bond, the game’s roots go back more than 700 years. It is believed that the game spun off from pai gow, an ancient Chinese tile game. Some say that Marco Polo brought the game to Europe on his return journey from Asia.
In addition to a commission, there are several other things to consider when betting on baccarat. For instance, you should be mindful of the number preference of Asian customers. This can be reflected in how the dealers break change for larger denomination chips. For example, when changing a $100 bill into smaller units the dealer should not give the customer four $25 chips. Instead, a different amount should be given to the customer to account for the Asian preference in numbers.
Another factor to consider is the payouts on a Super Six bet. This bet is placed alongside the original bet and wins if the Banker hand has a total of 6. The payout is 12x the original bet. There are also Pair Bets in baccarat that can be placed in addition to the original bet. These bets win if the first two cards are a pair.
Those who are serious about playing baccarat should learn the rules and strategy. A knowledgeable baccarat player can lower the house edge and increase their chances of winning big. They should also be sure to use the correct money management techniques. This means that they should only bet what they can afford to lose. If they are not careful, they can easily get carried away and lose more than they can afford to. Having a clear plan for their bankroll will help them stay in control of their gambling.