Baccarat is a card game that is popular both in land-based casinos and online. It is played on a table with 8 decks of cards contained within a shoe, and players use chips to place their wagers.
It is one of the oldest casino games in the world, and it has become very popular with high rollers. Its small house edge means that players can win big in a short period of time.
The origins of baccarat are unclear, although it is believed that it may have been brought to Europe from Asia by sailors in the 17th century. It was introduced to England in the 18th century, and subsequently became the most popular card game in Watier’s, an exclusive gentlemen’s club in London.
A game of Baccarat starts with a player being designated as the Banker and another person (the punter) being designated as the Player. The Banker starts the hand by wagering the amount of money they are willing to risk, and the punter then follows him in rotation, making their own bets in accordance with the banker’s wager.
If the punter wins, they receive their wager back as well as a proportion of the Banker’s wager. However, if the punter loses, they do not receive any money. Instead, they receive a sum equal to half of the Banker’s stake.
During play, the Banker is dealt two cards in turn. If the total of the first two cards is a natural, they do not draw any further cards; otherwise, they are dealt a third card. The Banker’s third card can be drawn if their initial total is less than 3 or as stipulated by the rules, whichever is most favorable to them.
The Player’s hand is also dealt a pair of cards in turn, and the total of these two cards is compared with the Banker’s. If the Player’s hand is closer to 9 than the Banker’s, they win; otherwise, a tie is declared.
There are three types of bets that can be placed during a game of Baccarat: the Banker bet, the Player bet, and the Tie bet. The payout for the Banker bet is eight to one, and the Player bet pays even money; the Tie bet has a higher house edge than either of the other two.
Baccarat is a very popular casino game that attracts high-rollers from all over the world. The game has a low house edge and is simple to learn. It is also very exciting and full of intrigue.
It is one of the most famous games in cinema, and has been featured in numerous films. For example, the 1956 French heist film Bob le flambeur features a climactic sequence in which the protagonist plays chemin de fer and encounters extraordinary luck.
Aside from the movie, baccarat is also an important part of European history and culture. In the 19th Century, it was exhibited at the Great Exhibitions of the era, and earned admirers from around the world.