Understanding the Basics in Baccarat
With a history dating back to Italy in the 1400s, the classic casino game of baccarat has undoubtedly stood the test of time.
While baccarat is a simple game to play it can be tricky to master, especially if you want to make a consistent profit from playing regularly.
However, with a low house edge it does offer players a genuine opportunity of keeping their bankroll in the black. Here is our beginner’s guide to baccarat.
Introducing Baccarat
The game starts with two cards being dealt – one to the bank and one to the player. The aim of the game is to predict which hand will subsequently be the closest to a total of nine.
All cards are scored at their face value except tens and picture cards. These count as zero while an ace has a value of one.
If a hand totals higher than nine, the score is adjusted by subtracting ten. For instance, eight plus seven equals 15. You then subtract ten for a final total of five.
The rules of the game allow for a third card to be dealt, but this is the maximum number of cards that can feature in a single baccarat hand.
Betting on Baccarat
If you bet on the player hand and it totals the nearest to nine, you win two times your stake. A winning wager on the banker hand pays 95% of the stake.
You can also bet on a tie which generally pays odds of 8/1. However, as implied by the odds, it is considered an unfavourable wager and is best avoided.
A ‘natural’ is the best hand in baccarat and is one which totals eight or nine after the initial cards are dealt. Bets are settled immediately if a natural hand is dealt.
Betting mostly on the banker’s hand is the most successful strategy in baccarat, although systems such as the Martingale and Fibonacci can also be applied.
Basic Baccarat Tips
As we mentioned earlier, the bank hand is your best bet as this wins more than half of the games in baccarat and should be wagered on the most.
It is also advisable to latch onto winning streaks, particularly on the bank hand. When this starts winning, keep betting the same way until the streak is broken.
Many baccarat experts recommend passing on the next bet after the bank loses. Wait to see how that hand unfolds before wagering again.
As with any casino game, you should always manage your bankroll carefully at baccarat and never gamble more than you afford to lose.
