An Intoduction to Baccarat
Baccarat is a simple enough game to understand with the player choosing on wagering on only three different bets. But don’t let the simplicity of this game deter you from playing. It’s a classic game that has been played as far back as 1483 and is a popular favourite among casino players.
THE RULES OF BACCARAT
In Baccarat the player can choose to wager the banker’s hand, the player’s hand or a tie. Bets are made and cards are dealt, two each. Next the value of each hand is calculated based on the following card values: Aces are worth 1 point, 2-9 cards are worth their face value and 10’s, jacks, queens and kings are worth 0.The highest score in Baccarat is a 9 so if cards equal more than 9 only the last digit is used (i.e. a 13 becomes a 3).
PLAYING BACCARAT
A “natural” hand in Baccarat is the best hand you can get, either an 8 or a 9 with your first two cards. If dealt a “natural” hand no more cards are dealt and a winner is announced. If both hands are of the same value the hand is a tie and if both hands are not a tie or a “natural” then a third card is dealt. Players must stand on a 6 or more and receive an additional card on a 5 or less. Dealers must stand on a 7 or more and receive an additional card on a 0, 1, or 2.
The house must also, always hit in the following situation:
If the house hand totals 3 and the player’s third card is anything except an 8
If the house hand totals 4 and the player’s third card is anything other than 1, 8, 9 or 0
If the house hand totals 5 and the player’s third card is a 4, 5, 6 or 7
If the house hand totals 6, and the player’s third card is a 6 or 7
Betting on the player’s hand (and winning) pays 1:1. Betting on the banker’s hand (and winning) is also 1:1 however a percentage on the winnings is taken by the casino. Betting on a tie pays 8:1 and bets are returned if no tie occurs.
Those are the basics of Baccarat and the best tip we can give you is to always bet on the banker!
If you think Baccarat may be for you then give a few of the variations of Baccarat a try as well. There’s American Baccarat (described above), Punto Banco (where the casino banks the game), Chemin de Fer (the French variation with more flexible rules) and European Baccarat (where the player can choose to stand or receive another card on a 5 point hand).
Baccarat Strategy
Baccarat is a very simple game to learn. With very clear-cut rules, players are not required to make very many decisions, so winning strategies are also very easy to learn and implement. It is important to remember, however, that Baccarat is based more on chance than on gambling skills, so we cannot guarantee a winning outcome every time.
Bet on the Banker:
Because of the house advantage, putting your money on the banker is a safe bet. The banker has a higher chance of winning, so betting on him gives you an edge, making your more likely to win. This strategy is great for conservative players. While it is always fun to mix it up a little and choose to use different bets, betting on the banker is the safest bet you can make in Baccarat.
Avoid Tie Bets:
At first glance, betting on a tie seems safe. However, because of the dealer’s house edge, the odds are very high, meaning it’s very rare that you’ll walk away from a tie bet as a winner. Sometimes, it’s fun to take a chance on a risky bet, but in situations where the house edge is greater than 5%, it’s best to play it safe and stay away from tie bets.
Don’t Try to Spot Patterns:
A common practice among Baccarat fans is pattern-spotting, which involves watching the scoreboard to see which bets have won in previous rounds. Many players believe that keeping an eye on the scoreboard puts them at an advantage, but they couldn’t be more mistaken. Previous hands have no affect on upcoming deals, so pattern spotting is essentially useless. While it makes players feel as though they can predict the outcome of the game, the random nature of Baccarat makes this impossible. Pattern-spotting is a fun and exciting strategy, but it should not be depended on if you’re looking to secure a win.
Play Single Deck Baccarat:
No matter what game you’re playing, you will always have better odds of winning if you play with fewer decks of cards. It may be difficult to find a Baccarat game that uses only one deck, but if you find one, it will certainly be worth the 1% house edge that the dealer has.
BACCARAT
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