Baccarat
Baccarat has a classic Bond-movie kind of setting, which might make this casino game seem somewhat intimidating. This is one of the simplest games to play.
The baccarat strategy has a lot in common with coin flips in terms of betting. The house edge for this game is relatively low and player-friendly.
If you wonder how one can play this intriguing casino online game, you have come to the right place. This is the ultimate guide on the strategies and rules of the game.
Baccarat rules
For this game, all betting on any specific hand must be completed before the hands commence. Baccarat starts with dealing two cards to each hand, known as the bank hand and the player hand, respectively.
The game’s objective is to predict the hand that will subsequently obtain a total closest to 9. This is done by wagering on the player hand, bank hand, or whether the rounds will end up in a tie.
For purposes of calculating the totals, all face cards and tens have a value of zero, the ace a value of one, and all other cards their face value. If any hand has a total greater than 9, this score is adjusted by deducting 10 to get a new total.
At any particular venue, the house rules will decide whether the player or bank hands can draw a third card. The maximum number of cards that any hand can have is three.
Players who accurately bet on a winning player hand automatically qualify for a 1 to 1 payout. Those who accurately bet on a winning bank hand also qualify for a 1 to 1 payout.
Under baccarat rules, the second winner is required to pay a 5% commission to the house. The commission on winnings for a bank hand reduces the payout odds from 19 to 20; those who currently bet on a tie qualify for an 8 to 1 payout.
How to place bets on Baccarat
If you place a bet on the bank hand and win, your payout will be 95 percent of your bet. If you bet on the player’s hand and win, your payout will be twice your stake.
If the totals for a particular hand exceed 9, you must subtract 10 to get the actual value. For instance, 9+7 =16; drop the “1,” and the true total is 6.
The third betting option is a tie, and as mentioned, it will earn you an 8 to 1 payout. Live baccarat tables have score sheets to help players keep track of their scores.
The player hand
Most beginners become lost when it comes to drawing a third card. While this might seem confusing, the most important thing to note is that it is not a matter of strategy.
It is a decision based on the rules of the game as determined by the dealer.
As a player, you just have to follow the flow. However, you will need to have an understanding of what is happening.
Whenever a player’s hand totals 10 or a figure between 0 and 5, a third card is drawn. If the totals for this hand are either 6 or 7, the required action is known as a “stand,” which typically means no third card needs to be drawn.
Totals of 8 and 9 are known as “naturals,” and no third card will be drawn in this case either.
The banker hand
Baccarat rules for the banker’s hand follow somewhat similar principles to those of the player hand, but they are slightly more detailed. Again, the dealer sets these rules and will thus announce the action that needs to be taken.
A banker can stand at any count of 6 and above. If the bank hand’s count is less than 3, the banker draws a third card. If the bank hands total is exactly three to the player’s hand’s third card of 9, the banker can either stand or draw a third card. The same happens when the bank hand’s total is 5, and the player hand receives a 4 in the third card draw.
In the event of a tie, there’s no loser. If the first two cards have a count of 8 or 9, the hand is natural, and an automatic win is declared.
However, if both hands yield naturals of equal value, it is declared a tie. If none of the hands produces a natural, further cards will be drawn to determine the winner.
Baccarat tips for beginners
Like most casino games, there is much you can learn about baccarat from experienced players. Below are some tips on how to develop a strategy.
Ignore the tie: The house edge for this bet option is about 14.4 percent, which is too high, rendering this bet a disadvantaged option.
The bank hand is the best bet: The bank hand wins over 50 percent of the games. This option is advantageous to the player, so the house charges a five percent commission on this bet.
Skip the next bet after the bank has lost: Whenever the bank hand loses, avoid wagering on the next game and wait for the following one. Take note of whether the outcome was a win or loss for the bank and resume wagering based on that outcome.
Discount ties: You should always treat ties as if they never occurred. A tie means no winner or loser, and you should not factor it in your calculations.