Baccarat
| Updated: Detailed Guide to the Gaming Experience Offered by Baccarat
When it comes to classy casino experiences, baccarat is definitely one of the games that spring to mind. Although extremely simple to play, baccarat remains popular with casino fans, offering them an enjoyable experience every time they decide to play. While its exact origin is hard to define, the card game has been present at land-based casinos across the world for years. Nowadays, the game is also available at virtually every reputable online casino you can find on the web.
Playing baccarat online has its perks, and the wide range of available variations is one of them. That said, whether you play baccarat online or at a brick-and-mortar casino, you can enjoy a wonderful gaming experience. Before you start, however, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the rules and other specifics of baccarat. Doing so will help you perfect your experience no matter where you play.
History of Baccarat
When it comes to the history of baccarat, the exact location and time of its emergence remain rather unclear. It is believed that it was invented in the 15th century and that it has Italian roots. However, there are still many disputes and heated discussions about this topic, largely because not long after the game appeared in Italy, it was introduced to France. It has always been a high-stakes game and, as such, it is no surprise that it quickly gained popularity among the wealthy members of society, becoming the favorite game of the aristocracy.
As the years passed, baccarat reached various destinations, including England, China, and South America. Soon after, it became popular in most parts of the world and, as a result, several variations were created to suit the needs of players in each country. When the game reached France, it became known as Chemin de Fer. In England, players came to know it as European Baccarat, while the variation played in America was called Punto Banco. Each of these games has its own rules and exciting features, which is why baccarat enthusiasts can experience their favorite game in many different ways.
How to Play Baccarat
The basic rules of the game are rather simple, which makes baccarat extremely suitable for all types of players, regardless of their experience. Usually, baccarat tables are located next to other table games or in an area specifically dedicated to the game. Each table has 14 seats and two dealers, while the game itself is overseen by a caller. The banker also plays a crucial role in the gaming process, as he or she is responsible for dealing the cards. Depending on the variation, this role can be performed by either the casino or the players. In Punto Banco, for example, players get the chance to act as the banker at some point during the course of the game.
In this card game, only two hands are dealt – the Player’s and the Banker’s. Each hand consists of two cards. The objective is to wager on the hand that will achieve the better point value, bearing in mind that the highest possible total is 9. Players can choose from three types of bets – the Player, the Banker, and the Tie. At the beginning of each coup, they must decide which outcome to back and place their wager accordingly. Just like other card games, baccarat assigns point values to each card. In addition, players should be familiar with the so-called third-card rule. It is worth mentioning that this rule can differ from one casino to another and is usually applied automatically.
| Baccarat Drawing Rules | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banker’s Score | Player’s Third Card | |||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| 7 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
| 6 | S | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | S | S |
| 5 | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | S | S |
| 4 | S | S | H | H | H | H | H | H | S | S |
| 3 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | S | H |
| 2 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
| 1 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
| 0 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
- If the banker has a total of 2 or less – another card is drawn for the bank, regardless of the player’s third card.
- If the banker has a total of 3 – another card is drawn for the bank, except when the player’s third card is an 8.
- If the banker has a total of 4 – another card is drawn for the bank, unless the player’s third card is 0, 1, 8, or 9; in that case, the bank does not draw.
- If the banker has a total of 5 – another card is drawn for the bank, unless the player’s third card is 4, 5, 6, or 7.
- If the banker has a total of 6 – another card is drawn for the bank, except when the player’s third card is 6 or 7.
- If the banker has a total of 7 – the bank is required to stand.
Baccarat House Edge and Odds
Baccarat is one of the oldest card games that have a significantly low house edge. In fact, its house edge is considered to be one of the lowest in the gaming industry. This is one of the reasons why, after so many years, it is still among the most played casino games of all time. However, it should be noted that the house edge and the odds of the game depend on the particular variation and the casino. Moreover, if baccarat is played online, it is also possible that its rules and house edge might differ. On the one hand, baccarat is a card game and, as such, the number of decks in use will inevitably have an impact on the game’s odds. On the other hand, since it is a game of chance, it is interesting to determine to what extent the decks will affect those odds.
In most cases, baccarat’s house edge is 1.09%, provided that the game is played according to the standard rules. Another important aspect that players should take into account is the wagering odds. The three available bets offer different odds and, thus, give gamblers varying chances of winning. Besides the house edge and the odds, it is also advisable to consider the payout percentage of the game because players can draw important conclusions from this valuable information.
| Baccarat House Edge | |
|---|---|
| Bet Type | House Edge |
| Banker | 1.06% | Player | 1.36% |
| Tie | 14.40% |
Baccarat Bet Types
Players can place one of the following bets: Player, Banker, or Tie. Depending on their choice, their chances of winning differ. Thus, prior to playing, it is essential to look at the odds of each bet in order to choose the best option. For instance, the Banker bet is considered the best choice, as it offers the lowest house edge. Because this bet wins most often and is highly favorable for players, casinos have imposed a countermeasure – gamblers have to pay a 5% commission every time the Banker hand wins.
Apart from the three basic bets, it is also possible to place a number of side bets. Understandably, the available side bets depend on the variation of the game as well as on the casino. Some of the most popular ones include Dragon Bonus, Panda 8 and Dragon 7, Perfect Pair, and others. It is highly advisable that players familiarize themselves with these options beforehand, so they can take advantage of them whenever they are available. In this way, they can significantly improve their gaming experience and add even more excitement while playing baccarat.
Strategy for Baccarat
Baccarat is a game of chance and, as such, the outcome of every coup cannot be influenced or predicted in any way. However, players can make a difference when it comes to their funds and betting choices by utilizing some useful strategies. Players should have money-management skills as well as solid knowledge of the available bets. They can also increase their chances of winning by using some of the popular baccarat systems, such as Paroli, Martingale, the 1-3-4-6 System, card counting, and others.
In most land-based casinos, baccarat players are given useful tools such as scorecards and pens. Thanks to them, they have the opportunity to keep track of their money and bets more easily and to observe patterns in the game. How useful these scorecards actually are remains a controversial topic, especially considering the fact that they are provided by the casinos.
Conclusion
Baccarat is a popular casino game enjoyed by players worldwide. Thanks to its engaging nature and simple rules, it has become one of the timeless casino classics, and, as such, it can be found both in brick-and-mortar casinos and online. Baccarat enthusiasts have the unique opportunity to play the game from the comfort of their homes and still enjoy an extremely realistic experience, as many casinos also offer live baccarat.
Baccarat is also famous for being a high-stakes casino game and, as such, it gives its players the chance to win big while having fun. In the past, the game was offered exclusively to the upper-class members of society; however, times have changed, and nowadays all types of players can enjoy it. In many casinos, it is also possible to find a variety of baccarat versions with different betting limits and rules. In addition, the game offers a wide variety of side bets that enable players to add extra excitement by taking advantage of additional wagers.