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If you're looking for a casino card game that's fast becoming a favourite of high rollers, Baccarat might just be the one. Also known as Player/Banker (for reasons which will become obvious), it's been played in casinos for a long time but more recently has become increasingly popular. As an alternative to getting involved in other forms of casino games, playing Baccarat has some strong benefits.
There are two main reasons for this popularity - It's simple to play, and the house edge is low.
If you want to learn how to play baccarat, you definitely don't have a need to study poker strategy as would be required for successful play in table poker games.
Very similar in its structure to Blackjack, Baccarat is played by essentially comparing cards. You play against a dealer where the objective of each hand is in getting the highest number of points. The rules centre around the different types of bets that can be placed and the values of specific hands:
· Banker - bet on the banker to get the highest point score.
· Player - bet on player to get the highest.
· Tie - both player and banker to end up with equal points
Hand or card values are:
· All numbered cards count as their face value in points, hence a three would be worth 3 points, an eight worth 8, and so on.
· Face cards JQK are each worth no points.
· Aces are worth 1 point.
The best hand and the highest point score in Baccarat is 9 points, known in the game as a natural. Your points scored in a hand are worked out
To calculate the points for any particular hand in Baccarat, you have to count the points of each card, add them together, and look at the digit to the right of the resulting number. For example, you get two sixes, add together equals 12, so your score for that hand is 2.
All players make their bets before the game starts - either choosing Banker, Player or a Tie. All players and the banker get two cards.
The following rules tell you when a 3rd card needs to be dealt:
· if either the dealer or the banker has a score of 8 or 9 (natural), no extra cards are dealt.
· If neither banker or players score 8 or 9 on the first hand, extra cards are dealt by these rules:
The player:
If the player has a score between 0 and 5, they stand.
A 6 or 7 score gets one extra card.
The Banker:
Extra draws for the banker depend on what happened for the player
If the player didn't get a 3rd card, the bankers rules for a 3rd card draw follow the same rule as for the player above (0-5 stand, 6-7 draw)
If the player did get a third card, then
· If the player got a card that is either 2 or 3, the banker gets a card on 0 to 4 and stands with 5 to 7.
· If the player got a card that is either 4 or 5, banker gets a card on 0 to 5 and stands with 6 to 7.
· If the player got a card that is either 6 or 7, banker gets a card on 0 to 6 and stands with 7.
· If the player got an 8, banker gets a card with 0 to 2 and stands with 3 to 7.
· If player got an ace, 9, 10, or any face card, banker gets a card with 0 to 3 and stands with 4 to 7.
Don't worry too much if this seems complicated. Casino software (or dealers in a live casino) will work it out for you, and deal extra cards appropriately.
As with all casino games, the edge is in favour of the house. Over time, they will come out ahead. But in Baccarat, the house edge is lower than some other casino card games, so there are lower swings between profit and loss, giving more playing time and the chance to walk away with profit if you choose the right time.
Essentially the house edges in Baccarat vary for the different types of bet:
· Banker - 1.06%
· Player - 1.24%
· Tie - 14.36%
You should be able to find and play Baccarat at any online casino, though live dealer games are not so easy to find.
There are two main reasons for this popularity - It's simple to play, and the house edge is low.
How Do You Play Baccarat
If you want to learn how to play baccarat, you definitely don't have a need to study poker strategy as would be required for successful play in table poker games.
Very similar in its structure to Blackjack, Baccarat is played by essentially comparing cards. You play against a dealer where the objective of each hand is in getting the highest number of points. The rules centre around the different types of bets that can be placed and the values of specific hands:
· Banker - bet on the banker to get the highest point score.
· Player - bet on player to get the highest.
· Tie - both player and banker to end up with equal points
Hand or card values are:
· All numbered cards count as their face value in points, hence a three would be worth 3 points, an eight worth 8, and so on.
· Face cards JQK are each worth no points.
· Aces are worth 1 point.
The best hand and the highest point score in Baccarat is 9 points, known in the game as a natural. Your points scored in a hand are worked out
To calculate the points for any particular hand in Baccarat, you have to count the points of each card, add them together, and look at the digit to the right of the resulting number. For example, you get two sixes, add together equals 12, so your score for that hand is 2.
All players make their bets before the game starts - either choosing Banker, Player or a Tie. All players and the banker get two cards.
The following rules tell you when a 3rd card needs to be dealt:
· if either the dealer or the banker has a score of 8 or 9 (natural), no extra cards are dealt.
· If neither banker or players score 8 or 9 on the first hand, extra cards are dealt by these rules:
The player:
If the player has a score between 0 and 5, they stand.
A 6 or 7 score gets one extra card.
The Banker:
Extra draws for the banker depend on what happened for the player
If the player didn't get a 3rd card, the bankers rules for a 3rd card draw follow the same rule as for the player above (0-5 stand, 6-7 draw)
If the player did get a third card, then
· If the player got a card that is either 2 or 3, the banker gets a card on 0 to 4 and stands with 5 to 7.
· If the player got a card that is either 4 or 5, banker gets a card on 0 to 5 and stands with 6 to 7.
· If the player got a card that is either 6 or 7, banker gets a card on 0 to 6 and stands with 7.
· If the player got an 8, banker gets a card with 0 to 2 and stands with 3 to 7.
· If player got an ace, 9, 10, or any face card, banker gets a card with 0 to 3 and stands with 4 to 7.
Don't worry too much if this seems complicated. Casino software (or dealers in a live casino) will work it out for you, and deal extra cards appropriately.
What's The House Edge In Baccarat
As with all casino games, the edge is in favour of the house. Over time, they will come out ahead. But in Baccarat, the house edge is lower than some other casino card games, so there are lower swings between profit and loss, giving more playing time and the chance to walk away with profit if you choose the right time.
Essentially the house edges in Baccarat vary for the different types of bet:
· Banker - 1.06%
· Player - 1.24%
· Tie - 14.36%
You should be able to find and play Baccarat at any online casino, though live dealer games are not so easy to find.