Traditionally, baccarat is a card game where only two hands of cards are dealt. There are usually 7 to 14 players and one banker per game. The two hands that are dealt are “the player’s” hand and “that banker’s” hand. Players don’t receive their own cards. Instead, they bet on either the player’s or the banker’s. Players place their chips on the table to bet for their choice of player, banker, or tie.
The object of the game is to have the cards sum up to 9 or as close to 9 as possible. If your cards add up to double digits, the first digit will be dropped, and your value will solely be the last digit. For example, if you have an 8 and a 7, the sum of your cards will be 15. But, in baccarat, since we drop the first digit, your hand value is now 5.
The cards also have different values than other games you might be used to playing. Picture cards and 10s have a value of 0. Cards from 2 to 9 are worth their face value. And aces are worth one point.
If the two cards that are dealt add up to 8 or 9 in either the player’s or banker’s hand, this is considered a natural win. No more cards will be played on that round. If the two cards do not initially add up to 8 or 9, the dealer may draw a third card. The first third card drawn will be for the player’s hand as the rules of baccarat state the player always goes first. Finally, the dealer takes a 5% commission on all winning bets for the banker’s hand only.
What Are The Odds And Payouts In Baccarat?
Baccarat is appealing because people have the opportunity to cash out big. But what do the odds and numbers really look like?
Let’s start with the player and banker hands. The player’s hand has approximately a 44% chance at winning. The banker typically has slightly over 50%. However, in certain variants, the odds are actually 1:1.
The house edge in baccarat is quite low, with roughly 1.06% for the banker’s hand and 1.44% for the player’s hand.
And should a highly unlikely tie occur, the payout is 8 to 1.
Baccarat Strategy – How Does It Work?
There are some general do’s and dont’s when it comes to baccarat strategy that can help increase your chances of success. First of all, in a game of luck, it’s essential to focus on what you can control. And ultimately, that’s your bet.
Some strategies insist on betting on the banker to win. Mathematically speaking, this is a pretty sound long-term approach, since the banker has a lower house edge.
Another important tip is not to bet on the tie. Despite the high payout, the odds of there being a tie are so low that you would generally have to spend more to bet than you’d actually make back.
When it comes to picking sides, there are two general points of approach. You can bet one-sidedly – this implies that you pick either the banker or the player and roll with that bet. However, a more dominant strategy these days is to zig-zag. Where you bet banker, then player, then banker, then player, and so on.
How To Win At Baccarat
While baccarat is largely a game of luck (which is what makes it so appealing), there are some things you can do to increase your chances of winning.
If you’re feeling ready (and lucky) to try your hand at baccarat, here are a few tips for winning big:
1. Don’t make the tie bet! When betting, you can either bet on the banker, the player, or a tie. And while some people might get swayed by the tantalizing 8:1 payout – do not bet on a tie, ever! As we mentioned above, the odds of winning are so low that the return will not be worth it at the end of the day.
2. Banker is the best statistical bet. The odds of the banker’s hand winning are slightly higher than 50%, which in the long-run will lead to more wins from a purely statistical standpoint.
3. Stick with the banker. If you’re betting on the banker and you’re winning, continue betting one-sided until the banker no longer wins. It’s one of the most popular and supported baccarat strategies.
4. Wait after a loss. If you lose a round, don’t immediately jump back in with a bet. Wait until another round has been dealt. If the banker wins, your next bet should be the banker. If the player wins, your next bet should be the player. Be patient and give yourself a little time to cool off – otherwise, you risk tilting and suffering a chain of unfortunate losses.
5. Beware of mini-baccarat. Mini baccarat is where players deal the cards. With that being said, mini-baccarat also moves fast! Be wary of speed gambling. But if you insist on participating in this form of baccarat, your best odds are to always bet on the banker.
6. Money management! It’s very easy in baccarat, or any gambling game, to spend more than you’ve intended. Sub-rule number one within money management is to set a budget. Know that max you’d be comfortable spending and do not gamble above and beyond that line. If you’ve lost everything in your budget, make sure you step away from the baccarat table and separate yourself from the game for a bit. You need a clear head to decide when and if you’ll return to play. Finally, if you’re winning at your baccarat game, cut your winnings in half. Retain half your winnings and don’t touch them, and then continue to gamble with the remaining half.
There is a reason baccarat is the most popular game worldwide. It’s exciting, it’s relatively easy to play, and the odds are good. And with the world’s progressive digitalization – it’s no surprise that a whole plethora of online casinos (and new betting games) have emerged over the last couple of years.
Playing live dealer baccarat gives you the ability to enjoy the full range of those aspects, all in the comfort of your own home. It’s the perfect mix between a trustworthy live dealer leading the game and a totally digital experience that you can enjoy on the go, or at least without having to go to a physical casino.
We’ve given you all the know-how to get started with baccarat, as well as a few tried and proven strategies and tips for turning the odds in your own favour. With that – we wish you luck and steady winnings!
