The game of baccarat has a very interesting history which starts way back, in the 15th century in Italy where he got his name “Baccara” means “Sero”. In the 19th century the game arrived in France where its rules were modified for the version we all know and play in the casinos.
These days, the baccarat game is played in casinos around the world from Las Vegas to Macau. Also, it’s a very popular game in the Asian market for live and online casino games.
What Are The Rules of Baccarat?
Baccarat is a casino card game played between two hands, a “player” and a “banker”. Bettors do not get private hands (like in blackjack or poker) and they place bets or on the player side or the banker.
The game starts with two cards dealt to both the player and banker hands, the objective is to choose and to bet on the hand which will have the value as close to 9 as possible. Cards from 2-9 are worth their face value, 10s and face cards are worth 0, and aces are worth 1. We calculate the sum of the two cards together, and thus know what our value is and whether we should stand or hit a third card.
The hand with the highest value wins.
If a player or banker gets a value of 8 or 9 they get a natural win and no more cards will be dealt.
If a player’s hand value is 6 or 7 the player stands and no third card will be dealt, but if the value is 0-5 a third card will be dealt.
If the player stands and the value card of the banker is 6-7 he must stand but if he gets 0-5 value he will hit the third card.
What Are the Player’s Options When Playing Baccarat?
In Baccarat, players have limited options compared to some other casino games. The primary decisions a player can make are related to betting, as the actual dealing of the cards is controlled by the rules of the game.
Here are the main player options when playing Baccarat:
Bet On The Player’s Hand
The player can place a bet on their own hand (“Player”). If the Player hand wins, the player receives a 1:1 payout.
Bet On The Banker’s Hand
The player can place a bet on the banker’s hand (“Banker”). If the Banker hand wins, the player receives a 1:1 payout minus a small commission (usually 5%).
Bet On a Tie
The player can place a bet on the possibility that the Player and Banker hands will tie. If there’s a tie, the payout is higher, often 8:1 or 9:1, depending on the casino.
Side Bets (if available)
Some Baccarat variations offer optional side bets, such as betting on specific card combinations or the total number of cards dealt. These bets can vary, and payouts depend on the specific rules of the game.
Remember, unlike blackjack, players do not have options to hit, stand, double down, or make other decisions during the course of the game. Once the bets are placed, the dealer takes care of the card dealing based on predetermined rules.
How Do Bets and Payouts Work in Baccarat?
There are three main types of bets in Baccarat:
Banker Bet: This is a bet that the Banker hand will win the round. Payout is 1:1, but a 5% commission is usually charged on winning Banker bets. This bet has the lowest house edge.
Player Bet: This is a bet that the Player hand will win the round. The payout is 1:1 with no commission on the winnings. The house edge is slightly higher on the Player bet compared to the Banker bet.
Tie Bet: A bet that both the Player and Banker will end up with equal hand values resulting in a tie. The payout is usually 8:1 or 9:1, but the house edge is very high at over 14%. Most experts advise avoiding the Tie bet.
In some Baccarat variations there are other side bet options such as:
Pair Bet: Wagering that the first two cards dealt will be a pair, the payout is usually 11:1
Bonus Bet: Betting that certain hand values like a natural 8 or 9 will occur , the payout for Natural 8 pays 25:1, Natural 9 pays 50:1.
A Three Card 7: pays 6:1
A Three Card 6: pays 4:1
A Two Card 6: pays 3:1
Is There a Special Strategy for Playing Baccarat?
There is no foolproof strategy or game technique that can significantly change the odds of winning in Baccarat. Because Baccarat is primarily a game of chance rather than skill.
However, here are some general tips that can optimize your play:
Avoid Tie Bets
The house edge on ties is very high at 14.4% for 8:1 payout, so they favor the casino. Most seasoned players avoid ties.
Bet on The Banker
The banker bet has the lowest house edge at around 1.06%. It wins slightly more often than the player bet. However keep in mind a 5% commission is often charged on winning banker bets.
Follow The Trends
Some players track betting trends and patterns in the game to try to predict outcomes. While it does not change the odds, it can make the game more engaging.
Manage Your Bankroll
Set betting limits and be disciplined about not chasing losses. Know when to walk away to avoid losing more money than you can afford.
Learn The Rules
Understand the third card drawing rules and when the player and banker are supposed to stand or hit. This will allow you to follow the action better.
While Baccarat relies predominantly on chance, these tips can help slightly reduce the house advantage and improve your overall experience with the game. But ultimately the outcome will be based on the luck of the draw.
