Bacarrat is an exciting game of chance, and it can be a great choice for first-time players. It is easy to learn, and has some of the best odds in a casino.

The main game involves two hands, the Banker’s hand and the Player’s hand. The dealer begins play by drawing four cards from a shoe. The first and third cards form the Player hand, while the second and fourth cards are the Banker’s.

Rules and strategies

In live baccarat, the goal of the players is to predict which of the Banker or Player hands will acquire a total that is closest to 9. Betting on the Banker’s or Player’s hand is a one-sided bet.

When the total points value of a player’s hand reaches 0 to 5 or equals 10, then a third card is drawn. If the total points value reaches 6 or 7 then a player’s hand is considered to have a’stand’ and no third card can be drawn.

If a player’s hand is worth 8 or 9 then it is called a ‘natural’ and no third card can be drawn. This rule is determined by the house rules at a particular venue, so it is always important to check before betting.

In a traditional casino, the game is played in a special alcove, sealed off from the rest of the casino and with security guards watching. It has a reputation for being the most exclusive and glamorous of all casino games, and it is a favourite of James Bond.