Whether you’re playing in person at a retail casino or online, you can bet your bottom dollar that you will find classic Baccarat on the casino pit floor. There’s a reason that since the rise of casinos in the USA in the 1930s, there has been a crowd, including an elegant one around the Baccarat table. Elegant but not too complex to play from a beginner’s point of view, this guide offers you a comprehensive view of all the essential things you should know about Baccarat.
Basics of Baccarat
The most common Baccarat variant at retail and online casinos is Punto Banco. Besides Punto Banco, the other main variants include Baccarat Banque and Chemin de Fer. Although, you won’t find these two variants available for online play. Unlike Blackjack, the card game that Baccarat is often compared to, you don’t have to worry about going bust.
Also, unlike Blackjack, while you are initially dealt two cards, you only need them to add up to 8 or 9. If the first two cards equal a nine, it is considered a natural win. To count cards in Baccarat, it’s important to note that Aces only count for one point. The tens and the face cards always count as zero. The playing cards deuce through nine, count as they naturally are.
As we mentioned earlier, you don’t go bust playing Baccarat. If the first two cards don’t add up to eight or 9, the player can usually draw a third card. If that amount goes over ten, the first number in that value is dropped, and the second number is kept. For example, if after drawing a third card, the new value is 12, the real Baccarat value is 2.
Generally, if the player’s first two cards are five or fewer, they can draw a third card. If the value is between six and seven, the player is advised to stand, which means not drawing a third card.
For the banker, otherwise known as the dealer, the rules for hitting are slightly more complex. If the banker’s initial hand is worth two or less, they must draw a third card. The other conditions for drawing a third card depend on the specific player’s hand.
The Baccarat Strategy
Baccarat continues to be one of the most captivating table games, because of the three principle bets players can make. Most Baccarat variants support the player’s bet, the banker’s bet, and the illusive tie bet. The banker’s bet is popular because the house edge is the lowest of the three at 1.05%. Depending on the online, the house edge might be lower based on the commission. To lure new players, many real money online casinos offer a No Commission Live Baccarat game.
The player’s bet features a slightly higher house edge at 1.25%, but it is a common method. The tie bet carries an insanely high house edge of 14% or more. Because of the house advantage and the price to make the tie bet, it is usually reserved for more experienced players.
While not common, some Baccarat players use tested betting methods that you would find in Roulette, like The Martingale and The D’Alembert. The Martingale, for example, calls for players to double their bets after a loss and then return to the original bet after winning. Interestingly, the Reverse Martingale, also known as The Paroli method, calls for players to double their bets after winning and return to the original bet after losing.
Stick to a Budget
No matter which Baccarat variant you play, before sitting down at the table, it is strongly recommended to have a set budget.
If playing in person, the quickest move is to leave the credit cards at home or bring a friend to help keep you on the arrow. That way, once you go through your budget, you don’t go into debt trying to chase wins.
The Different Types of Baccarat Games
While Baccarat doesn’t have as many variants as Poker, it still offers many competitive options for Baccarat enthusiasts. Watch out for these exciting Baccarat games:
· Super 6
· Chemin de Fer
· Baccarat Banque
· Golden Wealth Baccarat
· Dragon Tiger
Super 6 and Dragon Tiger are based on the popular side bets and can be played as their own standalone variants.
Play Responsibly
Besides setting a budget, a wise move is to set responsible gaming measures. Playing Baccarat at a reputable online casino affords you the luxury of setting playing limits and even payment limits. When setting a budget, please make sure it’s only disposable income.
