Statistics show that baccarat isn’t all that popular with players. Perhaps, it’s because the casino game is often mostly associated with high rollers. Or, maybe it’s due to James Bond films making it look impossible to win.
If we’re truly honest with you, we think it’s because not all that many people know how to play baccarat. And that’s a shame because not only is it a straightforward game to understand, but it is also one of the casino games with the lowest house edges.
Also, you may be thinking that you cannot afford to play baccarat, but this isn’t true. Most online casinos offer you an opportunity to place bets as low as $1 per hand. So, not being able to afford a buy-in is no excuse for not knowing how to play the game. You can even practice for free if you like at most of these sites.
If you would like to learn how to play baccarat, stick around. Below we go through all you need to know about playing this casino game, including providing you with a simple step-by-step guide for playing. We also provide you with a bunch of casinos with free baccarat games so that you can put your knowledge to the test once you are done playing.
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Baccarat Links
- Play Baccarat Online
- Baccarat Card Values
- How to Play Baccarat Like A Pro – Step-by-Step Guide
- Baccarat Odds Explained
- Baccarat Tips and Tricks
- How to Play Baccarat – FAQs
Baccarat Card Values
Before we get into how the game works, we think it is important to understand how baccarat card values work.
Here is the score for each card:
- Aces count as 1.
- Picture cards count as 0.
- Number cards carry their face value.
Also note that in baccarat, you can’t get a hand total more significant than 9. So, if your hand total is in double figures, then the first digit is dropped. For example, 13 will become 3. So, unlike in blackjack, you can’t go bust in baccarat.
The player with a hand score closest to 9 after all plays have been made wins the round. Baccarat is different in that when you bet, you bet on the player who is most likely to win. So, you don’t have to bet on yourself if you don’t want to.
How to Play Baccarat Like A Pro – Step-by-Step Guide
As stated above, baccarat is very easy to learn how to play. Just follow our step-by-step guide, and you will be in your first game in no-time.
- Each round starts with a bet. You can bet on the dealer or yourself to win the game or a tie.
- After all bets have been placed, you and the dealer will receive two cards. You will get your cards first.
- Sometimes a third card is dealt. This happens when your hand is between 0 and 5. The dealer may also receive a third card, but this is dependent on the following:
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- If your hand total is a deuce or a three, the dealer will draw if their hand total is between 0 and 4, but stand on a hand total between 5 and 7.
- If your hand total is between four and five, the dealer will draw if their hand value is between 0 and 5, but stand on a hand value between 6 and 7.
- Good hand: if your hand total is between six or seven, the dealer will draw on a hand total of between 0 and 6, and stand with 7.
- Good hand: if you have an 8, the dealer will draw on a hand total between 0 and 2 and stand on a hand total between 3 and 7.
- If your hand has a score of 9, the dealer will draw on a hand total between 0 and 3, and stand on a hand total between 4 and 7.
- When all the cards are dealt, both your and the dealer’s final hands will be totaled. A winner will be decided, and depending on your bet, you will or won’t get paid.
Baccarat Odds Explained
Baccarat provides players with some pretty good odds of winning if you stick to simple bets, such as “Player win” or “Banker win.” This is why many guides will recommend that you play the game if you are looking for semi-consistent wins.
Here are your odds of winning on the three outcome bets available in the game:
- Banker Odds – 45.76%
- Player Odds – 44.62%
- Ties – 9.53%
Ultimately, we recommend you bet on the banker’s hand more often than your own as they win more often. However, keep in mind that a game’s average odds aren’t an indicator of how many hands you will win while playing the game.
Baccarat Tips and Tricks
Here are some baccarat tips and tricks to keep in mind while playing the game:
- Don’t make too many tie bets – although the odds may seem tempting, tie bets rarely payout. Yes, if you win, you are assured a good payout. But, if not, that’ll be a wasted bet.
- Keep sessions short – there isn’t a pattern to baccarat like there are in some other table games. So, if you have stacked up a few wins and hit a loss or two, step away from the game. Remember that the house wins when you get greedy.
- Bet on the dealer… – although betting on the banker provides you with a smaller payout than betting on yourself, the dealer is statistically more likely to win because of the house edge built into each casino game.
- …until the dealer loses – if the dealer suddenly loses a game, switch your bet to the player’s hand. Statistically, it has been shown that a player is more likely to get a second win, but this isn’t guaranteed.
How to Play Baccarat – FAQs
Baccarat is not hard to learn how to play. It is probably as easy to learn how to play as blackjack.
In baccarat, the objective of both players is to get a hand score of 9. However, as you can bet on either the player or the dealer, sometimes you may hope that your hand doesn’t beat the dealers.
There is no sure way to win at baccarat. The best strategy is to bet on the dealer frequently as the dealer is more likely to succeed.
No, there isn’t. Unlike in blackjack or poker, where you can use strategies to influence the outcome of the game, baccarat is entirely random. So, your chance of winning is the same no matter what you do – unless you are cheating.
This depends on the player. Blackjack allows you to use strategies that may help you make better bets and influence the outcome of the game. Baccarat is entirely random; thus, it just requires you to know the rules to have a good time.
So, it depends on what you prefer: strategy or pure luck.
Statistically, betting on the dealer is more profitable than other bets. This is due to the natural house edge baked into casino games. However, that said, it does not mean that the dealer is going to win every game.
We recommend focusing on the dealer bets, but if you see the dealer is on a losing streak, switch to player bets.