As the world stepped into the 21st century, a wide range of traditional games were transformed into new high-tech gambling activities by infusing the modern-day machinery and technology. While the industry is majorly dependent on the luck factor, there are certain games that require well-designed strategies. One of these games is Baccarat, a popular casino card game that dates back to the 19th Century France and symbolizes a game of guesses and wit.
Baccarat is a comparing card game which is played between two hands- the player and the banker. There are three possible results for every round play. One in which the player has the highest score, one in which the banker has the highest score, and third is the tie. What makes the game different is the rule of ‘first deal and then bet.’ Once the dealer distributes the cards, the players can select multiple positions to stake. The biggest spread of baccarat tables is found in Macau casinos.
About Baccarat Casino Game
- Baccarat Table
The version of the Baccarat game decides the number of the player seats, which varies from 9 to 14, along with a dealer’s space as well. Irrespective of the number of players, only two hands of cards are played: the player and the banker. Each player has his own betting niche without their individual cards. Each participant gets three-bet boxes above their number on the top of the felt table. They relate to the three possible outcomes- player, banker, and tie.
- Card Dealing and Card Value
After the bets are placed, four cards are kept on the table. The dealer pulls out a card and positions it in the Player box. The successive card is placed in the Banker box. The process is repeated until each box has two cards. Now, if the total points on either of the box on the first two cards placed are 8 or 9, then it is known as a natural win, and the game is declared to end. The bets are paid duly. However, if the total is not 8 or 9, the dealer can draw an additional card from one or more hands. The winning bet payout for banker or player is 1:1 while it is 1:8 in case of a winning bet on a tie.
The cards are counted with their face value except 10, jack, Queen, and the King, which have 0 as their value. The ace card has a value of 1 in Baccarat.
- House Edge Policy
It refers to the term which describes the advantage the house has over the player while they are playing Baccarat. Placing a bet on the player has a house edge of 1.36%, whereas it is 1.06% in the case of Banker bet. In general, wagering on a Tie is considered to be one of the worst moves of a player as it increases the house edge to a whopping 14.4% mark. The odds for player’s hand victory are 44.61%, banker’s hand victory are 45.83%, and the odds for the game to be a tie is a mere 9.54%.
Baccarat Variations
Baccarat Banque
Baccarat Banque is one of the most liked and oldest versions of Baccarat. In this, the dealer is chosen at the start of each round. Generally, the player who first joined the game or the one who made the highest bet is chosen as the dealer. The game is played with three standard decks, and after the staking process is executed, the dealer reshuffles the cards. There are three hands with two cards, each for the participants. The players cannot stake on the banco hand as it is only available for the one dealing with the cards.
Punto Banco
Punto Banco can be played with 6 standard decks of 52 cards. The players can place their bets on Player, Banker, or t Tie. The banker deals one card each to the player and the bank. Once both of the hands are dealt with, their value is determined to decide if a third card is required to be drawn or not.
Mini Baccarat
It is played in the same manner as Punto banco but resembles a lower-stake version of the popular game. The game uses eight standard decks and is played on a smaller table in comparison to other versions. The gamblers find the quick roll of the game quite intriguing.
Chemin de Fer
In this version, the players do not compete against the dealer; rather, they struggle against each other. The banker keeps aside the money he wants to put in stakes. After this, each player announces that they are willing to place a bet that coincides with the banker’s stake value. This continues until the players touch the amount staked by the banker initially. The banker can decline the bet if the value placed by gamblers crosses his stake.
Strategy for Baccarat
- Make strategies by keeping track of the trend of the outcomes.
- Go for the banker bet as it has the lowest house edge.
- Avoid going for a tie.
- Do not get stuck in progressive jackpots or side bets.
- Avoid commission-free Baccarat.
- Opt for casinos that allow you to clear the bonus and do not burden you with their normal rollover needs.
- Play baccarat variations with smaller shoes. This helps to reduce the house edge significantly.
Conclusion
Baccarat is a guessing game. A player who is able to pick the trend while choosing prudent strategies can surely make a big win on a baccarat table, no matter what variation he plays. The game is easy and enjoyable if you do not get confused or messed up during the game. It is all about placing the bets on the hand, which is most suitable and offers a lower house edge. The different variations give the players a sense of variety and exposure. You can enjoy Baccarat online as well. So, don’t wait and start earning by playing a Baccarat casino game.
