Baccarat

THE GAME

Baccarat (pronounced bah-ca-rah) is derived from the Italian word baccara, which means zero. The term refers to the fache game cards and 10s, all of which have zero value in the game of baccarat.

The game has earned an aura of glamour since its introduction in Nevada casinos. Baccarat is played with high betting minimums and limits, in specially designed betting areas of the casino called high limit areas. With the smartly dressed dealers, there is an air of elegance to the game. This intention is but to attract the high roller and the more sophisticated players.

Contrary to what many people may think, baccarat is a very simple game to learn. You don’t have to learn any special strategy, count cards, or have difficult betting system to play baccarat. No degree of skill is required for either player or dealer. Players may sit in any open seat at the table, seating position does not affect the play in any manner. Each seat corresponds to a number on the layout, one through 15. Three dealers service each table. The dealer standing between positions one and 15 is known as the "caller." He runs the game as cards are dealt from the shoe.

This game is played with six decks of cards (i.e. 6 x 52). Two hands are dealt in Baccarat. One hand is called banker and the other is called player. The player’s objective is to get a hand that is closer to nine in value than the bankers. Each hand initially receives two cards. The rank of the card is of sole importance. Two through nine are counted at their number value. An ace counts as one, two are counted as two and nine as nine. But tens and picture cards are counted as 10, since we consider only the last digit of the total combination. That is why 10’s and all picture cards value remain as zero. Therefore, nine stands invincible with the highest value. But if the total of the hand is greater than 10, then 10 is subtracted from the total (or you can just count the last digit only). Thus the value of a hand is always between zero and nine. For example if the player’s card total is 14 then 10 is subtracted and the value of the hand becomes four.

Bets are placed before any of the cards are dealt. You can bet on the player hand, banker hand or a tie. You can make these bets by placing your chip in the appropriate space in front of you. To start a hand both player and banker are dealt two cards face down and the next move depends on the cards in the hands. If the player / banker has a two card total of 8/9 the game is over and therefore whoever (player or banker) has the highest value wins the game and will be paid in a ratio of 1:1. If neither the player nor the banker has a natural, (a total of 8/9, i.e within the first two cards) then the player acts first according to the following rules :

HAND VALUES

All cards, ace through nine, are valued according to their count. Tens and face cards count as zero. Thus, if the first two cards dealt are a king and a four, the count is four. And eight and six, although totaling 14 would count as four after subtracting the 10.

When any two card total over a 10 count, 10 must be subtracted. The remaining total is the card count.

RULES OF PLAY
Dealers act according to these rules without consulting players at the table. The rules are automatic :
The highest total any baccarat hand can have is nine. A two-card total of nine is called a "natural" and cannot lose. An eight is the second-best hand and is also called a natural. If both player and bank are dealt identical hands, it is a standoff (a tie) and neither bank nor player wins.

No further cards can be drawn to a two-card draw of six or seven.

When holding other two-card totals, player and bank draw another card at the direction of the caller. In studying the accompanying chart, one can easily determine the rules of the game. It is a matter of letting the dealer do the calling, and declaring the outcome. Players are concerned only with how much they wager on each hand and whether they bet on the player's side or the banker's.

TIE

In case of a TIE, i.e. when a player’s total value and banker’s total value are the same, it is called a TIE. In such cases, the hand is dealt again. One can also bet on the TIE box. When there is a TIE you will be paid in the ratio of 1:8.

The casino does not take any commission but when the banker wins on six points, you will be paid 50 percent of the bet only.

MINI BACCARAT

From this high-limit game, casinos have developed a game for lower-limit players called Mini-Baccarat. They have accordingly installed smaller Baccarat tables, usually among the Blackjack tables. Mini-Baccarat is the same game as Baccarat, with the same rules but the rituals of passing the shoe, etc., are missing and the game is staffed by only one dealer. The layout, however, conforms to the regular Baccarat table and each seat position corresponds to a number and betting box. Mini-Baccarat is played fast but the exact same rules apply as in the larger game.

ETIQUETTE

There aren’t too many etiquette problems when playing Baccarat or Mini Baccarat. The main point is to place your bets inside the correct betting box. Don’t set it on the line as this will only cause confusion. Make your bets before any of the cards are dealt. Don’t touch your money once the cards are dealt. If need be, let the dealer handle your chips. The only other caution is to make sure you sit at a table that’s within your betting budget.

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