When people in the US hear baccarat, they might think of the crystalware, jewellery, or fragrance before they think of the card game. It actually found early popularity in Europe and Latin America. However, it's now a global phenomenon. This casino table game appeals to players who like to keep it simple.

Thanks to its growth in popularity, it became part of the regular content at brick-and-mortar casinos as well as those online. That means that US players can find it at reputable online casinos in Texas. Before you do, though, it's worth finding out a bit more about it.

Baccarat Compared to Other Card Games

Baccarat isn't like the other popular online casino card games you've probably already played. Let's take online blackjack to start. It's similar to that, but has quite a few differences. The main one is that blackjack involves some decision-making, which means you can use a strategy. The main decision in baccarat is your bet.

That makes baccarat even less like another popular card game: poker. Poker requires skill, bluffing, decision-making, and knowledge of how to form the best hands. The only similarity between the two, besides that they use cards, is that you need to think about your bet. That's what makes baccarat stand out.

The Aim of the Game

While the card game is simple, it's essential to understand the point and the rules before playing. The object of baccarat is to bet on the hand that you think will get the winning score. A winning score is the one that's closest to nine. The game is played with two hands: that of the Player and that of the Banker.

To work out the scores, the other thing you need to know is how the card values work. Aces count as one, and the other cards up to nine keep their value. Any card that would traditionally have 10 as its value is worth zero. The card values are added, and if they're worth more than nine, then they take on the value of the second digit. For example, if the total value is 16, then six is the score.

Two cards are dealt to each hand. In some cases, depending on the score, a third card will be dealt to either side. From there, the score is calculated, and the winning hand announced. Online versions often have side bets, including tie and pairs. While they have good payouts, they don't have good odds.

Simple Gameplay

Baccarat is popular because it's simple. Once you understand the card scores and rules for a third card being dealt, there isn't much else to grasp. That means players are free to focus on their bets. If you're playing online baccarat, it's always worth checking the game information for the rules, side bets, and payouts.

The game is similar to chemin de fer, which used to be popular in casinos, but was replaced by baccarat. The main difference is that in chemin de fer, players bet against one another, whereas this title is played against the house. You can also find it referred to as Punto Banco, which are the names for the hands in Italy, Punto for Player and Banco for Banker.

A Game of Chance

It's not just the simplicity of the gameplay that has made the game popular around the world. A lot of its appeal comes from it being a game of chance. In many Asian cultures, games of luck are prioritized and play a significant part in tradition.

It's no surprise, then, that baccarat gained popularity in several Asian countries. At casinos in Macau, it's one of the most glamorous and sought-after table games. In Hong Kong, it's a bit of a cultural icon. Players there like to tap or blow on cards for luck. They also play on days with lucky dates and in clothes that are their lucky color.

Baccarat Variants

When seeking out baccarat at an online casino, you'll find several variants. Some of the most popular are No Commission Baccarat and Mini-Baccarat. If you want an even simpler version, you can try a game called Dragon Tiger, where the scores come from dealing one card to the Dragon and Tiger hands.