Baccarat is one of the most beloved casino games, beloved by everyone from California card room regulars to high rollers at Monte Carlo. Furthermore, its accessibility makes it one of the least intimidating casino games – unlike blackjack or poker where your bets impact other players directly, each hand in baccarat is dealt quickly – usually within 30 seconds! Plus its house edge of only 1.2% per bet makes it ideal for new or casual gamblers.

Baccarat involves betting on which hand will total as close to nine as possible. Both player and banker hands receive two cards each and then add up the values of these cards until a total is determined – closer than nine wins! Pictures or faces cards count for no points while numbers and ace count as one point each; should the hand exceed nine, first-digit total is dropped; only second-digit is counted.

At a typical baccarat table, there may be up to 14 seats for players at once and only two hands are dealt each round. The rules of baccarat are consistent across casinos and its play is quick and simple, with bets placed in one single betting area – usually $20-25 in the United States.

Baccarat may seem like a game only for the elite, but its origins go back centuries. First seen in Italy and later brought into France by King Charles VIII, it spread around the globe quickly.

Though baccarat has an alluring image, its rules and house edge are relatively easy to pick up. One potential drawback may be the tie bet’s higher house edge and less frequent payout; most experienced players opt instead for player or banker bets instead.

Addition to standard bets, there are various side bets that can add excitement to a baccarat session. Pair bets such as player pair, banker pair, either pair and perfect pair (matching suits) are especially popular. Also available is a mobile-optimized version called Baccarat Mini designed for playing on smartphones and tablets.

As either a player or banker, your winning bet’s return depends on the bet amount placed. Banker and player bets offer even returns while Tie bets can offer 8:1. Additionally, this game features standard banker commission of 5% with our Baccarat Guide providing further details of its rules and gameplay.