Baccarat is a casino game of pure chance. It’s often portrayed as elegant and sophisticated in movies – James Bond is a fan of it – but it’s actually an easy, slow-paced game that’s good for new players. It also offers some of the best odds in the casino.
The game’s history dates back to medieval Italy. It was popular among the upper class and aristocrats. In modern times, it has become a favorite of Asian high rollers and has grown to be the biggest card game in the world.
Unlike poker or blackjack, where each player plays against the dealer, in baccarat there are only two hands dealt: the banker’s and the player’s. The object is to bet on which hand will come closest to nine, with a winning hand having the highest number of points. Tens and jacks count as zero, while aces are worth one point. Rounds of play are called coups and the game is overseen by a croupier, who deals each hand. The croupier may make additional bets during the course of a coup, which are known as side bets. They can be placed on either the banker or the player, and on a tie.
The rules of baccarat differ slightly depending on the region where it is played. The most common version is Punto Banco, which was developed in the 19th century in France and is still played by the majority of casinos today. The older, more complicated Chemin de Fer is still played in some places.
While the exact origin of the game is unknown, many believe that baccarat spun off from pai gow, an ancient Chinese tile game. Others claim that it came from Italy, where it was brought back by Marco Polo after his return to Europe in the 13th century.
It was later adopted by Asia, where it became popular with the aristocracy and royalties. The popularity of baccarat continued to grow and, by the end of the 20th century, it was a major part of the gaming landscape in Macau, which has since overtaken Las Vegas as the world’s premier gambling destination.
Baccarat’s popularity in Asia reflects the belief that it appeals to a cultural preference for consensus and collective action. In contrast to games like poker and blackjack, which feature individual players and their own cards, baccarat is played in large groups. This may have something to do with the fact that a baccarat game isn’t as fast-paced as other casino table games, and there are only two hands being played.
Bill Zender, a former Nevada Gaming Control agent and casino executive who wrote the book on managing casino games, believes that baccarat is poised to continue its growth worldwide. He points out that many big Asian players don’t want the James Bond pageantry of tuxedoed dealers and double tables, and that it is much easier for them to find a single baccarat table with lower minimums on the regular casino floor. He says that baccarat is becoming so important that it’s starting to rival slot machines as the game that produces the most overall casino win.