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Baccarat Guide

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A Baccarat Guide

This baccarat guide will help you even though the game of baccarat is both easy to master and very exciting. The idea is that you bet on the outcome of the game. You bet on either the Player or the Banker and hope your hand is the winning one. Depending on the variation of the game you choose, you could end up being the dealer. The game, also called Punto (player) Banco (bank), is played from a “shoe” which contains 4-8 decks of normal playing cards. Keep in mind that Baccarat is primarily a game of luck. Also remember that when you pronounce the word baccarat, the “t” is silent, as with all French words which end with a consonant.

A Short History of Baccarat

Without a doubt, baccarat is one of the oldest casino style games. It was originally bought from Italy to France in the 14th century. The game’s name comes from the Italian word “baccarat” which translates as “zero” in English. In this card game all the Tens, Jacks, Queens and Kings, have a zero value. The same applies to any hand that makes zero, for example a hand of seven and three makes zero and therefore baccarat.

A Baccarat Guide:Thank The French

Originally the game was played with Tarot cards. The game became very popular in France after King Louis XIV banned all forms of gambling. As with all types of prohibition, it only caused an even greater interest in the game. The French version, Chemin de Fer or Chemmy is still played today, along with Punto Banco, American and Mini Baccarat which are the most popular options in both land based and online gambling hubs.

The Game of Baccarat

The game of baccarat is so simple that you can actually play it without knowing the rules. Well, almost! Essentially you place a bet on three single types of bet. These are: The Banker bet, The Player bet or The Tie (or Standoff). Just like poker, the game uses chips. You place your bets using the chips on one of the boards sections and then await the dealer. Whether playing online or in an actual casino, the rules always remain the same. Online, a player can have a choice between playing a “standard version” or having a “live Dealer version.”

Online Baccarat Game Play

As mentioned previously, the Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings all have zero value. The Ace counts as 1 and all other cards count as their face value 2 – 9. The total hand value cannot exceed 9, so ten is subtracted if the hand totals more than 9. Two 10’s counts as a zero. A total of 8 or 9 is called a “natural.” If you’re playing online then all you have to do is place a wager and push the “deal” button. Being a game of absolute chance, there are no player decisions necessary. The software does it all for you. Before you commit to play, be sure to read the information section of the game. This will contain all details to help with game play, RTP, rules and payouts.

Casino Baccarat Game Play

At the casino, the game play is as follows:
1. There are three bets you can place, on the Player’s Hand, the Banker’s Hand or on a Tie. If your bet matches the outcome of a hand then you win.
2. At the start of a round, the Player and the Banker each receive two cards face down. Next one or both of them may then receive a third card.
3. The Player and the Banker cannot decide if they want a third card. The decision is made according to the strict rules of the game. These are complicated, but don’t really effect the outcome. If you are playing Baccarat online then the software will automatically deal you a third card when it is necessary. Check our How to Play Baccarat Guide for a deeper look. And then head over and check out our best casino jackpot reviews to find the best sites to play on.

A Baccarat Guide: The Card Values

1. Face cards and tens count as zero, aces are worth 1 and all the other cards are worth their face values.
2. When you add up the values of the cards in a Baccarat hand you only pay attention to the final digit. For example, 14 counts as 4 and 19 counts as 9.
3. The hand that comes closest to a total of 9 wins the round.
4. Losing bets are for collection first.

Baccarat Tips

If you look at the numbers, you’ll see that the advantage to the player is 1.24% and that to the banker is 1.09%. So you’re better off sticking to the banker side. But keep in mind that the banker takes a 5% commission on any winning hands. Thinking of betting on a tie? Well, don’t bother! It’s true that most baccarat games pay out a tie at 8 to 1. So, if you bet $20 and a tie wins, you’ll get back your $20 plus an extra $160. But here’s the rub…according to the statistics less than 10% of hands will result in a tie. In other words a tie bet will lose 90% of the time.

The Gambler’s Fallacy

Many players believe that past results can effect future one’s, otherwise known as the gambler’s fallacy. To that end, they keep a scorecard and spend a lot of time looking for patterns. Casinos don’t mind this as it has no effect on the game’s outcome. But please keep in mind this is not a winning strategy.

A Baccarat Guide: Keeping Score

When playing at the casino, players receive a free scorecard and pen when they join the baccarat table. This is essential for keeping track of both the time and the money spend playing. Keeping a scorecard helps you to manage your bankroll. The scorecard itself is in columns of squares. The headings are alternating columns – B for Bank and P for Player, respectively. We have compiled a list of Baccarat Rules.

Baccarat Card Handling Techniques

As the cards are face down, you’ll need to be able to take a peek at them without revealing the cards to those around you. To this end there are two very distinct methods for doing this, namely, the “American” and “Asian” variations. The American or European technique is to just have a quick peek. Take a fast look at the cards before tossing them to the dealer.

A Baccarat Guide: Casino Etiquette

As for the Asian technique, it involves bending the cards back, hence it’s nickname, the “bend and peek” method. As you’ve probably guess this later method is popular with Asians. But not all casinos will allow this, as most casinos re-use their cards and don’t want to damage them. One point of casino etiquette is that you can only really apply the Asian technique if you have placed a large bet. And by “large” we mean the biggest bet you’ve ever made. If you have a large bet on the line, then the casino will not frown on your use of the Asian method. If you want to try your skills, then why not head over to the live dealer tables at King Billy Casino. There’s an attractive dealer for you to chat with as you play. It’s just like being in a real casino.