Baccarat is one of the world’s most popular casino games. The game’s popularity stems from its elegance and simplicity. The game’s reputation was further solidified by a scene in the James Bond movie “Casino Royale.” Today, it continues to enjoy immense popularity in Asian countries such as China and Macau. In fact, baccarat generates more than 80% of all casino profits in these markets.

The game of baccarat involves seven to 14 players, depending on the version of the game, seated around a table with a dealer. Only two hands of cards are dealt: the Player’s and the Banker’s. The rules of the game vary slightly from country to country. In most cases, the game is played with six standard decks of 52 cards. Picture cards and tens are worth zero points; while the other numbered cards are worth their face value. Aces, on the other hand, are worth one point. Once the values of both the Player’s and the Banker’s hand are determined, bets are paid out.

During the gameplay, it is very important to note the following tips:

Practice for Free – Many online casinos offer a demo mode for their players. This allows them to play the game without risking any money. It is an ideal way to learn the nuances of the game and try out different strategies before investing real cash. In addition, it helps players build confidence and improve their gambling discipline.

Avoid the Tie Bet – The house edge on the tie bet is over 4%, making it one of the worst bets in baccarat. In the long run, this bet will cost you more than your winnings. It is best to avoid this bet and focus on the other side bets in baccarat.

Observe the Dealers – A good baccarat player knows how to observe his or her dealers and follows their lead. A good dealer will never let you win a bet that doesn’t make sense. In addition, a good dealer will be able to spot when the Player or Banker is going to hit a 9.

Keep Track of Previous Hands – This is an essential tip for any baccarat player. By keeping track of previous hands, players can see how often the Player and Banker have won or lost, as well as what the highest possible total is. Then, they can adjust their betting accordingly.

The game of baccarat has come a long way since its elegant European origins. While the game still remains popular in high-end casinos, where it is played on a double table and is overseen by tuxedo-clad dealers, it can now be found in regular casino areas with lower minimums than in the past. According to Bill Zender, a former Nevada Gaming Control Agent and a 40-year veteran of the industry, baccarat’s increased popularity in the US is partially due to its cultural appeal among Asian high rollers.

Hong Kong’s film and art scenes were the big winners at this year’s Hong Kong Prize awards. Leading actor Tony Leung won a record three prizes, including the top honour of Best Actor for his role in crime thriller A Guilty Conscience. The film also racked up technical awards for Costume and Makeup Design, Art Direction and Sound Design. Other top performers included Mad Fate, which picked up four awards, and Broad Daylight, which scored three. In the TV drama and documentary categories, The War Behind the Wall and Hong Kong Dreamers both won two awards each.

The HK Global Development Prize is organized by Generocity, an organization dedicated to advancing the work of Hong Kong’s official development assistance (ODA) programme on the world stage. The HK$5,000 competition invites innovative ideas on how to strengthen and further promote Hong Kong’s international role.

This year, more than 400 scientific researchers from HKUST and the university sector were nominated for the award, with a record number of applications in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics, life and health, new materials and new energy, and advanced manufacturing. The selection process involves an evaluation of the candidates’ research achievements, their influence on transforming research outcomes in Hong Kong, and their contribution to society and the economy. In addition to the monetary prize, winners receive support in their research and career advancement as well as international visibility through high-quality media coverage.

The inaugural event, held in April this year, gathered leaders and elites from the information and communications technology (ICT) industry to encourage collaboration across the region. This year’s award judging panel was made up of experts from the US, China and Australia. In addition to the monetary prize of USD $200,000, winning entries were awarded with certificates, trophy and business mentorships.

Applicants should be under 50 years old at the time of nomination. The award is open to research groups, individuals, universities and research institutes in Hong Kong, Macau and the Greater Bay Area of Guangdong. Each award field should not reward more than five persons or teams per year.

The ‘Colours of Humanity’ exhibition, hosted by Goethe-Institut Hong Kong in partnership with Justice Centre Hong Kong, invites Hong Kong artists to explore the theme ‘Our Changing World’. It showcases how they view various aspects of global evolution – socially, culturally, technologically and environmentally – and how these changes affect people differently. All exhibited artworks are available for purchase, with proceeds supporting the organisation’s charitable refugee protection work. The exhibition runs from 1 December 2023 to 14 January 2024 at the Goethe-Gallery and Black Box Studio. Free guided tours of the exhibition are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, click here.