Baccarat: Meaning and Definition
Baccarat is one of the classic casino card games, available in any land-based or online casino. Players bet on whether the Player hand, Banker hand, or a Tie will win by reaching a total closest to nine.
Summary
Fast and chance-driven, the game of Baccarat has been around in various forms since the 15th century.
What Is Baccarat?
Baccarat, also known as Punto Banco, is played by betting on the Player hand, Banker hand, or a Tie before any cards are dealt. Two cards are given to each hand, and totals are calculated by using only the last digit of the sum. If either hand reaches 8 or 9, it’s a natural and no more cards are drawn.
If there is no natural, the casino's own rules determine whether a third card is added, but with the same goal: to have a hand that’s closest to nine. The house edge in Baccarat varies depending on the bet, with the bets on Banker generally having the lowest house edge. There are several variants of Baccarat played commonly at casinos, including Chemin de fer, Baccarat banque, and Macao.
Why It’s Important
Being one of the most widely present and accessible games, Baccarat can serve as a gateway to other, more complex casino games and help newcomers learn the fundamentals of casino entertainment and lingo.
How It's Used
The term Baccarat refers to the classic casino game. In popular culture, Baccarat is known as James Bond’s casino game of choice.
