Baccarat is truly a game of luck

			Byron Liggett is a Reno gaming writer. Send questions c/o the Reno Gazette-Journal, P.O. Box 22000, Reno, NV 89520-2000.

When we think of baccarat, images of James Bond, ladies in evening gowns and high-rollers come to mind. A European original, it has long been a part of the aristocracy of gambling games.

QUESTION: How is baccarat played? — Glenn C., Astoria, Ore.

ANSWER: Although baccarat may at first glance seem complicated, it is actually quite easy to play. It is entirely mechanical; the player simply chooses which of two hands to bet and how much to wager. There is no skill involved. It is a game of luck and money management.

Customers may wager on either the “banker’s” hand or the “player’s” hand, whichever one they feel will come closest to nine, which is the highest hand in baccarat.

The closest hand to nine wins. Picture cards and 10s have no value; all others count at face value (aces count as 1). Counts over nine acquire the value of the second digit. Hence, a hand of 17 has a value or count of 7.

Winning hands are paid even money (1 for 1). The house collects a small commission from the winning hands only.

A game of pure luck, the fluctuations of the cards between winning player hands and winning banker hands make it a game for “streak” players and money managers.

Q: What happens when there is a tie between the player’s hand and the banker’s hand? — David R., Auburn, Calif.

A: There are no optional cards in baccarat. In the event of a tie, the hand is played over. However, a player may bet on a tie occurring. Such wagers must be declared in advance and commonly pay 9-to-1. It is not an advisable bet because the house advantage is 14 percent or more.

Q: Is there an authoritative book about playing baccarat? — Carrie and Lukas W., Lake Oswego, Ore.

A: “Power Baccarat,” by Byron F. Hebert, is probably the most comprehensive work on playing the game. Hebert is a recognized baccarat expert, author and consultant. His book explains the game, discusses playing techniques and money management strategies.

Q: Why do high rollers prefer baccarat? — Lyndon W., Napa, Calif.

A: High-rollers or “whales” prefer baccarat because it features action, action, action. It’s fast, easy to play, and the house edge is the lowest for any game in the casino, about 1-1.25 percent.

Q: In baccarat, which hands should a person draw a third card? — Edgar W., Fernley

A: There is little or no decision making in baccarat. If the first two cards of the player hand total zero to five, it is given a third card; a six or seven cannot draw. With an eight or nine, neither the player nor the banker can draw.

When the banker has zero, one or two, a third card is drawn. Otherwise, the banker’s draw is determined by the third card given the player. The banker must stand on six when player does not draw a third card.

Q: How does a player make a wager at the baccarat table? — Linda B., Walla Walla, Wash.

A: To bet on the bank hand, players place their wager in the section of the layout marked “bank” and on the number corresponding to their seat. Bets on the playerhand are made in the area marked “player” that corresponds to the bettor’s seat number.

Q: Where did baccarat come from? — Ursula G., Olympia, Wash.

A: Italian in origin, it was first introduced into France in 1490 and became the favorite gambling game of French nobility.

Baccarat and its variations, chemin de fer and punto banco, have long been the most popular games in European and Latin American casinos. It first appeared in America in 1911, but eventually gave way to blackjack.

Q: How is mini-baccarat different from standard baccarat? — Bill W, Salt Lake City, Utah

A: It is almost the identical game, except the layout is designed for seven bettors instead of 12 or 14. The game also is operated by fewer dealers and some procedures, like passing of the shoe, have been streamlined. Consequently, with fewer players and faster operation, many players prefer it to standard, traditional baccarat.