Baccarat is mysterious game for anyone but the most sophisticated gambler. Popular culture paints it as the game of the social elite who have the spare funds to let thousands ride on the flip of the card. After all, it is the game of choice for Ian Fleming's James Bond who epitomizes cool sophistication in any circumstance. Like James Bond, you can be a master of baccarat if you learn the basic baccarat rules. It's time to demystify the game so that you can play with other cultured gamblers who know the ins and outs of the elite table games.
The set up of a baccarat table is relatively simple. There are three different spots that you can bet on: banker, player, and tie. Before we get too far into the game, you need to know a small quirk in the baccarat rules. The banker position does not mean the dealer and the player does not mean you. They are just two squares on the board where the dealer will place cards. We will deal with the tie position later, but it has to do with the numerical value of the two squares.
Unlike most casino games, the baccarat rules dictate that players never actually touch the cards. The dealer, and only the dealer, handles the cards. First, the dealer will place a single card in each of the two positions on the table. This is when you place your bets. Most casinos have baccarat rules that say you cannot alter your bet after this point, so think carefully before you put your money down.
After everyone has placed their bets, the dealer will give each position an additional card. At this point in the game the values of the two hands need to be added up according to the unique counting system of the baccarat rules. All numerical cards carry the value on their face. Face cards are considered to be worth ten points. So far, the counting system is pretty straight forward. An odd twist to the baccarat rules comes when the value of a hand reached a double digit value. In this case the left hand digit is dropped, so 12 would become 2 and so on. The value of the two hands at this point determines whether a third card will be dealt out. The baccarat rules entail a very complicated system of deciding whether a third card should go out and who it should go to. Luckily, you don't need to memorize the system because it will happen automatically. Do you remember that you never touch the cards? This means that you do not have to make any decisions either.
When all the cards are dealt out the position with the highest value wins. Pretty simple really at the end of it, you just need to know the baccarat rules to get to that point. Take some time and memorize the basics, because the ability to play baccarat is the mark of a truly sophisticated gambler.
