Baccarat became famous in 1967 when the movie, Casino Royale was aired. The movie features a game of baccarat. There are several other movies featuring baccarat, and these have played a significant role in boosting the reputation of the game.
What is so fascinating about this game? You can find all about it here.
Types of Baccarat
Baccarat is available in three versions: Punto Banco, Chiming De Fer, and Banque. The most popular version is the Punto Banco which is commonly known as American Baccarat and is purely based on luck. The remaining two versions require the gamer to make some decisions so; one needs to have some level of skills.
Chemin De Fer
This is the European variant of Baccarat. It differs from the American version is that the players do all the dealing, and the banker’s role changes around the table. Also, the player can stand or take another card if the hand totals to 5.
Puncto Banco
This is the most common baccarat variant found in most casinos in the USA, Australia, and Canada. The casino always acts as the bank, and standard baccarat rules are followed.
Banque
This is also a European variation and is played using three card decks. The banker’s role is auctioned to the player willing to take up the highest risk. The rules of this game vary from casino to casino but are quite similar to the Chemin de Fer rules.
How to Play Online Baccarat
The game starts with the gamer betting on if the baker or player wins or if there will be a tie. Once the bets have been placed, the dealers hand the gamer two cards, and another two to the banker. The cards are placed face up. This game aims to get values that are as close to 9 as possible. The rules of standing and drawing are different for the player and the baker. The rules applying to the player:
- If the total is between 0 and 5, the player draws a third card
- If the total is 6 or 7, the player will stand.
When it comes to the rules for the banker, things are a bit complex as it depends on the third card selected by the player. If the third card is a:
- Ace, face card, 9, or 10, the Banker draws if they have a total of 0-3 and stands on a 4-7.
- 8, he draws if he as a zero to two and stands on 3-7.
- 6 or 7 the banker will draw when he has zero-6 and stands on 7.
- 4 or 5, the banker will draw when he has 0-5 and stands on 6-7.
- 2 or 3 the banker draws on 0-4 and stands on 5-7.
Rules for both the player and the banker:
- If the Banker or player has 8 or 9, this is referred to as natural, and the game ends.
- If the value of the hand exceeds 9 only the second digit will be considered. For instance, if the hand is 16, the value to be taken is 6.
Tips and Tricks for Playing Online Baccarat
While Baccarat is a game that is simple to understand, there are some tricks that you can use to maximize your betting advantage and get consistent wins.
Avoid patterns
The majority of baccarat players rely on patterns and hypothetical cold and hot streaks found in the game. Baccarat tables record the game’s results. But in this game, the odds are comparable to defining the result of a coin toss. Each outcome is a different event.
Bet in the Banker and Ignore the Tie Bet
Despite the possible 5% commission that the player may pay to the banker, this is the Banker bet is the best bet you can place on baccarat due to the low house edge. The bet wins 50.68% of the time, thus bringing consistent returns.
The tie bet is the worst that you can make because of the high house edge of 14.4%. If one manages a tie bet, you get a lucrative payout, which makes it appealing. But there is a high risk of losing.
Online Baccarat is a casino classic that you can play at any online casino in the United States. It is popular among many gamers in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. You can try the Baccarat game on any of the top listed casinos in the United States to get a better feel of the game. Before you can decide to play at live casinos, you must consider a venue with mini or midi tables before you can move on the glamor of the high-roller table.
Baccarat Online Casinos - Frequently Asked Questions
Why must one pay the 5% commission to the dealer on banker bets?
The reason for the 5% commission is to level the house edge of the 0.458:1 possibility that the banker bet will win. The player has a slightly reduced bet of 0.446:1. Therefore, if you win on a banker bet, a small part of the total amount won is paid to the house.
What is a “Natural win” in baccarat?
A natural occurs when two cards are drawn to either the banker or the player add up to a total of nine. This is the best hand in baccarat, and thus an automatic win.
Is there a guaranteed strategy to win baccarat?
While there are many strategies for baccarat, there is no guaranteed method to win. Betting on either the player or banker has a 50/50 chance in winning, but the tie bet slightly reduces the even odds.
Can I detect patterns?
Some gamers believe that they can detect when a natural hand happens, which allows them to increase their bet and turn more profits. But, this is a big myth since baccarat is a game of chance. It is illogical especially at online casinos where the outcome is determined by random number generators.
How many card decks are used in baccarat?
A standard baccarat game uses 8 decks. However, there are mini versions that use 6 decks, but these are rare in online casinos.