How to Play Baccarat

Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games in Asia and Europe. However, it has only recently gained popularity in the United States. While it is often tucked away in high-limit gaming areas, this game of chance is actually very simple to learn and play. The game combines elements of poker and roulette, with the goal of getting closer to nine than the opponent’s hand. Baccarat is similar to other casino games such as blackjack and keno. It is played with 8 decks of cards and a table with boxes to place bets on.

Players place their bets on either the Player Hand, Banker Hand, or a tie between them. The Player and Banker hands each have a nine point total, but only the one closest to nine wins. A nine and a seven counts as ten points, while a six and a three count as five points. Baccarat also offers a variety of side bets, such as the Super Six and Pair Bets. The Super Six pays out 12x the player’s initial bet, while a Pair Bet pays 1:1 on the banker pair of cards.

After placing bets, the dealer deals two cards to each box. The Player box is dealt first, followed by the Banker box. The dealer then draws a third card if the Player or Banker hand is higher than eight or nine. If the Player or Banker hand has a total of 8, then the game is over and all bets are paid. If the total is 9 or 10, then no more cards are drawn.

Once the two hands are complete, the dealer compares them to see which has the highest value. If the Player and Banker hands are equal in points, then the bettors’ wagers are returned. If the hand is higher than a 9, then the winning bet is paid out. The ties, on the other hand, pay 9:1 to the banker and 8:1 to the player.

Although the exact origin of baccarat is unclear, most believe that it was invented in 1500s Rome, Italy by Felix Falguiere. He named the game baccarat after its Italian name, baccara, which means zero. This is a reference to the fact that tens, jacks, queens, and kings count as zero in the game, while aces count as one.

Since the game became more popular, it has been played in many different ways. The most common is Punto Banco, which is the version of baccarat that is played in casinos today. Other variants of the game include EZ Baccarat, which pays even money on player and banker bets without a commission, and Dragon 7, a variation that allows players to add an extra side bet that pays 40:1 on a Banker win with a three-card combination. Baccarat is so big that it has become a staple of the James Bond series, with the game making appearances in several movies and novels. The game has also made its way into online casinos, where it is available for players to enjoy from the comfort of their homes.

The HK Prize – A Celebration of Global Impact

The Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Prize celebrates scientific research with global impact and recognises scientists whose work creates real social or economic value. It is open to anyone worldwide who has made significant contributions to any field of science – artificial intelligence/robot, life/healthcare, materials/energy or advanced manufacturing/FinTech. The Prize is awarded in the form of a cash award and an opportunity to conduct research in Hong Kong.

The prize has been awarded to activists fighting for freedom and democracy, such as Jimmy Lai, who was imprisoned for promoting democracy; a group of Lam Tai Fai College students who ran a homeless shelter to help people in need; a charity organisation that provides home care services to elderly adults; and more. The HK Prize also honours academics whose research has benefited the public; such as Professors Gregory Winter and Michael Levitt, who won Nobel prizes in chemistry in 2018 and 2013 respectively.

Athletes who win medals for Hong Kong at the Olympics can also earn bonus money, depending on their finishing positions. The maximum amount a gold medallist can receive is HK$12 million, while silver and bronze medallists get HK$6 million and HK$3 million, respectively. For those who finish in the top eight, they can receive a minimum of HK$750,000 each.

Art prize winners include Pakistani artist Sameen Agha, who won the $30,000 grand prize for her sculpture A Home is a Terrible Place to Love. The piece shows a house falling apart and was carved from red marble. Another winner, Hong Kong artist Michelle Fung, took the women’s prize for her mixed media work Red Bean Stalk.

Scientists from all over the world are eligible to apply for the hk prize, which is backed by a total of more than HK$40 million in funding. The application period will run from now until the end of March. Candidates can submit up to three projects.

An independent review committee will be constituted to assess the applications. It will make independent judgments and objective evaluations of the achievements, with a focus on scientific and technological innovation and transformation and its impact on society. In addition, the review committee will ensure that the Prize is operated in line with scientific and rigorous standards and that no organization or individual exerts undue influence on the review process.

The Prize Secretariat will be responsible for carrying out the decision of the Board and the Review Committee, shouldering the duty of liaison and coordination between the Board, the Review Committee, the Compliance Oversight Team and the sponsoring agencies; organizing the judging activities, holding interdisciplinary academic exchanges and science popularization activities. The Secretariat will be staffed by professionals with expertise in law, finance, auditing and public affairs. The Secretariat is supported by a Advisory Council composed of individuals with knowledge and experience in the relevant areas. Interested parties may contact the Secretariat for further information.