A Brief History and Baccarat Lesson
Originating in Italy, the French popularized an early version of the game called Chemin de Fer, or “way of the iron.” The game became more widely know today because of James Bond movies, which gave it a certain appearance of excitement and sophistication. In America, different versions of the game were mixed together to form the American version of baccarat. Customarily, the game is more for the upper class, but some casinos provide a public table with lower stakes in the main area of the casino.
In baccarat, there are two sides, the Player and the Bank. The Bank is the casino and any player who backs the Bank. The Player is everyone who is betting against the Bank. Players are given the chance to be the dealer and are given the dealer shoe. The play starts with two cards each, alternately passed to the Bank and the Player face down. After the initial deal, the four cards are turned over and the sum totaled. If either side totals to eight or nine, the game is over. If neither number is achieved, the Bank and Player can each be dealt another card, highest sum wins. Each player selects the side they think will win, with players usually sticking to one bet for several plays.
A third type of bet can be wagered; that the Bank and Player will tie. It may not seem as likely as an outright win, but ties are guaranteed to happen occasionally. Be observant of the players acting as the dealer who seem most likely to deal ties, or if there is a pattern for when a tie occurs. Correctly betting on a tie also pays out better than being right about a winning side.
With a minimal amount of thought required, and no bluffing, baccarat is a relatively easy game to play. When one side is on a roll, it tends to be safe to stay with the winning side. Changing sides frequently is rarely to a player’s advantage. Make sure to formulate a plan for how often you will bet on a tie.
