It’s hard to be so misunderstood… to stand head and shoulders above mere mortal games like poker, blackjack, and roulette.
It’s hard to be so misunderstood… to stand head and shoulders above mere mortal games like poker, blackjack, and roulette. It’s such a challenge to be a game so unique, so revered and for so long the exclusive province of the elite. To be the lonely one at the top of the casino game food chain, while all those other upstarts and newcomers hog all the attention… sigh.
Of course, we think baccarat – and people who reject it – should get over themselves. While the game’s reputation is high class and snobby to the extreme, the game itself is actually pretty simple to play, and can be highly entertaining.
In brief, baccarat is played by the dealer, who draws two cards for the player, and two for themselves. Depending on the cards’ value, which is calculated by the dealer using very clear scoring rules, the player and dealer may receive more cards, with the aim of scoring 8 or 9. Players can also bet on whether they think the dealer or player will win. For a detailed explanation of the scoring rules, as well as the dealer guidelines on how to deal cards, visit our guide to baccarat.
The scoring rules and guidelines are where most people get nervous, as they can appear complex at first. However, they really are quite simple, and it pays to remember that you, the player, don’t need to remember all the rules, as they are actually for the dealer. It’s only if you play the Chemin de Fer variant and get selected as dealer/banker that you need to concern yourself with these. Even then, these rules and guidelines are always easily available for reference.
The main two versions of baccarat that you can play in either a live casino or online are Punto Banco and Chemin de Fer. In the former, the banker/dealer is designated, while in the latter, they are selected from among the players. Other than that, the game play is pretty much the same, with one or two small differences. Video baccarat introduces a few modifications according to each individual game. You can learn more about these in our guide to baccarat.
Baccarat has always traditionally been a high-rollers’ game, exclusively for the rich elite. Today, however, thanks to both bricks and mortar and online casinos, it is far more accessible to we mere mortals. There are both live dealer and video baccarat variations to be found on many online casino pages, and you should be able to find a game whose pace, style and betting requirements suit you.
