Baccarat is the biggest card game in the world with a rich history that started in Europe, spread through Asia and recently made its way to the US. It’s a simple card game with two opposing sides, player and banker, that has three possible outcomes: player win, banker win or tie. During the game, the dealer deals the two hands for each participant. The winner is determined by whose hand totals closest to 9. To place bets, players place chips on either the player or banker boxes. When a player bet wins, a commission is paid to the casino – the amount of which depends on the specific casino.
The minimum bet for baccarat is usually $20-$25 but may vary by casino. Those who wish to increase their bets can do so by asking the croupier. The croupier is also responsible for dealing the cards and running the game.
There are many different theories as to the origin of baccarat. Some believe it was based on an Etruscan legend in which a virgin had to throw a nine-sided die to determine her fate. Another theory is that baccarat was originally played as a game of life or death, where a low score meant certain death.
Regardless of the theory behind its creation, baccarat quickly became a favorite with European royalty. It was popular in France and remained so for centuries before it spread to China. Today, baccarat can be found in most casinos worldwide.
A game of baccarat is played with six decks of cards that are shuffled together and dealt to the table. Players are seated in random order around the table and play continues counterclockwise. The croupier acts as the dealer and is the only person allowed to touch the cards during the course of a hand.
One of the most famous baccarat stories is that of the millionaire Mase. Mase won millions playing baccarat in Las Vegas casinos and was once considered to be the richest gambler in the world.
Baccarat is played differently in Canada compared to the United States. In the United States, baccarat is often played on a large private table in high-end casino salons where the minimum bet is typically $20-$25 per round. In Canada, baccarat is often played in small private tables with lower minimum bets.
According to Bill Zender, a former Nevada Gaming Control Agent and casino executive who literally wrote the book on managing a game room, baccarat has evolved from its James Bond pageantry with tuxedo-clad dealers to its current state as an extremely popular game for Asian high rollers. It is now offered on regular casino floors with lower minimum bets than blackjack. This is partly due to the fact that Asian high rollers prefer single baccarat tables that look similar to blackjack games, and a more casual environment than the high-limit rooms where baccarat was once played.