What Is Baccarat? History and How to Play It
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Baccarat is one of the world’s most sought-after casino games, yet lots of people aren’t sure what it involves. By taking a brief look at the game’s history and how to play it, we will show that it is a simple, exciting card game that anyone can play with confidence.
A Look at the Background
There are differing opinions on where and when this game was first played. The most common belief is that it originated in 15 century Italy, taking its name from an Italian word for zero because the face cards are worth zero.
Some sources state that Felix Falguiere was the man who created baccarat, but little about him is known to us now. In the present time, it is often described as the number one casino game, mainly thanks to its massive popularity in Macau.
In the US and Europe, it has traditionally been seen as an exclusive game to be played with high stakes. However, the switch to online casinos has opened up it to many new players who have never played it before.
The Basic Rules
Baccarat is a simple game of chance where you need to choose whether you think the player or the banker will win. You can also choose to bet on a tie between them.
An initial set of two cards is dealt to each hand. The total on each had is added up and the closest to 9 wins, although a third card can be drawn according to the rules in place for the version you are playing.
It is regarded as one of the best casino games in terms of the low house edge, which means that you should expect to win regularly. Some versions also have side bets, such as super 6, where the chances of winning are lower but the prizes are more impressive.
The Different Versions
When you look for baccarat online, you will see that most versions are simple called “baccarat” or some variation such as “live baccarat” or “classic baccarat”. However, there are actually three main versions of the game, known as punto banco, chemin de fer, and baccarat banque.
Online games of baccarat are almost always based on punto banco, which some people call American baccarat due to its popularity in the US. Each game that you try on the internet should have a rules or information page where you can find out everything you need to know about playing it.
Other casino games use a similar approach to baccarat. For example, dragon tiger is an even simpler game where a single card is dealt to each hand, with the highest value winning. The introduction of live baccarat has increased the different ways of playing, by letting you play with a human dealer rather than on a computer-generated table.
How to Get Started
Getting started on playing baccarat online is easy. First of all, you need to look for an internet casino that is regulated by the authorities where you live.
For example, you can check the live dealer baccarat by TwinSpires Casino. You can then sign up and fund your account with them.
Head to their lobby and look for table games, card games, or live dealer games. In some cases, you might see a category for baccarat, while in others you just need to look through the list of games to see which versions are included.
Having chosen a game, you can then select the amount of stake you want to play with and put the chips on the section of the table that relates to the bet you have in mind. Generally, there are “player”, “banker”, and “tie” sections clearly marked on the table where you can put your chips.
