Card games are popular among casino players because of their game styles. Playing cards is an engaging activity that allows you to socialize with other players at the table. Baccarat is one of the many exciting card games that bring players to casino tables. While it may not be as popular as poker or blackjack, baccarat gives players the whole card experience.
Online casinos have RNG (Random Number Generator) baccarat games where you play against an algorithm, but live casino games remain king. More card players prefer sitting at live dealer tables. The game’s flow is much better when you see your opponents and the dealer.
So, what do you need to know before getting a seat in a baccarat game?
The Game Rules
If you’re new to baccarat or card games, you may find the rules overwhelming and challenging to understand. This isn’t exactly the case. Let’s look at what you’re expected to do in this game.
The primary expectation in baccarat is that all betting on each hand must be made before it’s opened for play. To begin the game, the dealer makes two hands for each player. A player’s hand and another for the banker. Sometimes either can receive a third card.
To win, the player’s objective is to predict the hand that’ll come closest to nine. Players can bet on a tie on both the banker’s and the player’s hand. You can also call either the player’s or the banker’s hand to win the tie.
To tell the outcome, the card totals are calculated. Let’s have a look at a baccarat scoreboard. The face and 10s cards’ value is zero. Aces hold a value of one while other cards retain their face values. In calculating the value of cards in a baccarat hand, only the last number matters when the value exceeds nine.
If the count comes with a hand, close to nine players who made correct predictions take a one-to-one payout. Players who make correct predictions qualify for an eight-to-one payout when the winning bet is a tie.
Placing Real Money Wagers in Baccarat
To play at live baccarat tables at an online casino, you must have money for bets in your player’s account. Ensure you use convenient payment methods for instant and free deposits.
In baccarat, there are three possible outcomes. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. We’ll highlight what each result means.
The Banker’s hand
Betting on the banker’s hand in this game considers several factors, including whether the player received a third card. Bets, on this hand, also take into account the banker’s initial card and the face of the third card the player received. This gives the banker’s hand a slight statistical advantage. In the baccarat rules, players who win from betting on the banker’s hand must pay a 5% commission on their winnings.
The Player’s Hand
Betting on the player’s hand is much easier. There are no complex subrules to follow. The game begins after you make your bet. You’ll collect your winnings and possibly play another hand if you’re lucky.
Betting on a Tie Outcome
The other possible result in a baccarat hand is a tie. This outcome is rare but has a good payout. Nevertheless, casino games are games of chance. You can’t rule out any possibilities.
The eight-to-one payout is way higher than the one-to-one payout in the banker’s and player’s hands. You also don’t have to pay a commission like a banker’s hand.
Baccarat Safe Play Tips
Like most table and card games, baccarat has an intensive game style that requires excellent strategies. Going into baccarat tables casually may result in huge losses burning through your bankroll. As you play, keep the following in mind:
- Manage your bankroll well. Making large wagers more than necessary can be risky, especially in the beginning. Take your time to settle in the game and manage your stake.
- Avoid the tie. Betting on a tie seems appealing from the high payout, but it’s unlikely that you’ll win. Focus on making safe bets. You’re a beginner, after all.
- Know when to hold. You don’t have to bet on every hand in the game. After a losing streak, you can skip a few rounds to avoid going into a spiral.
