A game of baccarat begins after the dealers or croupiers place eight packs of shuffled cards into a plastic box known as the shoe. The players in the game then take turns at placing bets on the Banker’s hand or the Player’s hand.

Baccarat Basics
Following the initial bets, each hand is now dealt two cards. The Player’s hand is given two cards first followed by a second two cards for the Banker’s hand. Both the Player and the Banker has the option of taking a third card if he or she wishes.

After the final round of cards has been dealt by the Banker, it’s time to determine the winner. The winner of the baccarat hand is the hand that holds cards with the total of points being nearest to nine. The value of zero is attributed to a ten. Cards with a sum of ten as well as picture cards are also valued as ten. Cards with a face value of 1 to 9 retain their face values. Ace is counted as one. The last digit is used when cards have more than one.

An example of this is demonstrated below. Two cards valued at 5 and 7 are 12. However, in baccarat only the last digit, being 2, is taken into account.

Banker and Player bets are paid out at even money. Five percent commission is awarded to the Banker when he wins bets, ensuring he retains a small advantage on the way in which cards are drawn. A tied hand is paid out at a rate of 8 to 1.

Successful baccarat players still manage to win despite the house’s advantage by exercising a baccarat system. A system, or strategy, can be formulated based on the results of all previous rounds played and the previous wagers that have been made on baccarat hands.

While no tried and true method exists to help baccarat players cheat the odds, it is almost impossible to forecast which hand will win in a round. Mathematically speaking, no one can influence the odds. For this reason, card counting in baccarat – while fun – cannot truly enhance your skill.