Getting To Know Baccarat
From WagerWeb Contributing Writer
by Jordan Walters

One of the first games I learned to deal was Baccarat. Little did I know that it was one of the best games in the casino to play. The house advantage in Baccarat is very low, and you have a great shot at bringing home some money. So why aren't more people playing this great casino game? I think the answer is two-fold. First, not many people understand Baccarat, which is a shame since it's so easy to learn. Second, I think many players don't like the fact that you, as the player, watch the game -- more on this in a moment.

Baccarat was originally designed for the wealthy. The game was held in lavish rooms where thousands, even millions, of dollars were on the line with each hand. The game featured multiple dealers and was more of a ceremonious game. Eventually, Baccarat migrated to the pit. It was set up just like Blackjack. All the ceremony was stripped out of the game, and the table limits were lowered so that the everyday gambler could play.

The game consists of two hands -- Banker and Player. Each hand is dealt two initial cards. Depending on the value of those two cards, one additional card may be issued. As a player, your purpose is to place a bet on the hand you think will win. There's also a third bet possible -- the tie. Ties don't happen much in Baccarat, and it's really a sucker's bet.

This leads us to my second point on why more people aren't playing. The only interaction you have with Baccarat is the placement of your wager. Once you do that, you sit back and watch the dealer play out the hand. Once the hand is over, you are either collecting your winnings or placing another wager. I think many people want a little more interaction with the game.

That's a shame, because a lot of money can be made at the Baccarat table. I've been known to saddle up and play for hours on end. It's the only game I know of where you can walk up, play without knowing anything, and still have a great chance to walk away a winner. The next time you are logged into an online casino or at a real one, check out Baccarat. You just might find yourself addicted after some winning hands.