Why baccarat looks intimidating but isn't
Baccarat has a reputation, partly from film portrayals, as a sophisticated high-roller game with complex rules — in reality it's one of the simplest games on the floor, because once you place your bet, every remaining decision (whether a hand draws a third card) follows fixed rules with no choices for the player or dealer to make.
The three bets
You're betting on one of three outcomes each hand — Player wins, Banker wins, or a Tie — with cards dealt to two hands (called Player and Banker) regardless of who's actually sitting at the table. Banker has a very slightly better long-run edge for the bettor than Player, and Tie carries a much higher house edge despite its tempting payout, which is why regular players generally avoid it.
How hand values work
Cards count at face value, face cards and tens count as zero, and only the last digit of the total counts — a hand of 7 and 8 totals 15, which counts as 5. The hand closest to 9 wins, and the fixed drawing rules (not player choice) determine whether either hand draws a third card.
Why it's popular with high-stakes players
Baccarat's low house edge on the Banker and Player bets, combined with the fact that no skill or strategy decisions affect the outcome, makes it a favourite for players wagering large sums who want a mathematically fair game without needing to learn strategy the way blackjack requires.