Baccarat has long held a reputation as the most exclusive, intimidating game on the casino floor.

Because of this glamorous reputation, the average casino player often feels too intimidated to even approach a Baccarat table.

It is, fundamentally, nothing more than a sophisticated coin flip disguised behind French terminology.

Once you strip away the velvet ropes and the aura of exclusivity, you are left with an incredibly fast, straightforward game of chance.

We will guide you through your first hand so you can confidently approach the table like a seasoned high roller.

Understanding the Basic Goal of the Game

Your only job is to guess which of these two hands will end up closer to the magic number of nine.

Before any cards are dealt, you place your chips in one of three betting circles in front of you: Player, Banker, or Tie.

Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth absolutely zero points in Baccarat.

The total score of a hand is simply the sum of its cards; however, if the total exceeds 9, you drop the first digit.

The hand with the final score closest to 9 wins the round. It is incredibly simple arithmetic.

The Dealer Does All the Work

If the Player's initial total is 0 through 5, they must draw a third card; if it is 6 or 7, they stand.