Bacarrat is a high-stakes card game that has long been a staple of European casinos. It was introduced to France in the 19th century and has since become one of the most popular games in the world, especially among high-rollers.

It’s a deceptively simple game to play but requires a little strategy in order to win consistently. We’ve created a guide to baccarat strategy which will give you the tools you need to maximise your winning chances, however luck is also important and it isn’t always possible to win all your bets.

The basics:

Eight 52-card packs are shuffled together and dealt by the croupier (dealer) from a shoe, which releases one card at a time, face down. A large table has 12 seats, six on each side of the dealer and a green felt covering the entire table.

The layout of the table indicates the betting areas for both the banker and player. The numbers 1 to 12 are marked on the felt and bettors place their money in a lined-off area.

What happens when?

If a player’s hand totals 0 to 5, or equals 10, a third card is drawn. If the hand is 6 or 7, or if it’s a total of 8 or 9, no third card can be drawn, known as a stand.

In addition, a player can lose an entire bet if they make a mistake and wager more than the maximum allowed by the game rules. If you’re a high roller and want to make the most of your money, it’s important to practice good stake management.