A Guide to Online Baccarat for Beginners
Boasting a reputation for elegance that extends even to its simplicity, Baccarat has long been a favorite in casinos worldwide. The rise of online casino gaming has led to more people discovering both the joys of the game and how to play Baccarat from the comfort of their homes.
If you are new to Baccarat, read this online Baccarat guide to find out everything you need to know about online Baccarat including its history, rules and strategies.
An Introduction to Baccarat and Its History
Baccarat is a card game traditionally played between two hands which are referred to as the Player and the Banker. The goal is to bet on which one’s total will be the closest to nine. Because its rules are straightforward and it is ultimately a game of chance, Baccarat is objectively an easy game to learn and play.
Its history is also relatively simple despite the fact that its origins can be traced as far back as 15th century Italy. The general belief is that Baccarat was initially a card game called “baccara” which translates to “zero” in Italian and likely refers to the face cards and tens’ value where the game was concerned. This early version was played with a Tarot deck, and the rules were likely quite different from modern Baccarat.
By the 19th century, Baccarat had made its way to France where it gained immense popularity among the aristocracy. The French version of the game evolved into what is now called Chemin de Fer, a variant in which players take turns being the banker. This version became particularly popular in French casinos and was known for its social aspects which led to it regularly being played in a more informal setting with higher than usual stakes.
As Baccarat continued to spread across Europe and gained more popularity along the way, more variants emerged. One was Baccarat Banque which shares similarities with Chemin de Fer but has fewer players and a fixed banker. However, the undeniably most successful variant is Punto Banco which translates to “Player/Banker” and is the one that is most commonly found in casinos both online and offline. In it, players simply bet on the Player, Banker or Tie and cannot influence the outcome in any way.
In fact, it is Punto Banco that is the Baccarat variation that debuted in the United States in the mid-20th century primarily in high-stakes gaming rooms in Las Vegas. There, it cultivated a loyal following among wealthy gamblers and its popularity skyrocketed even further thanks to positive portrayals in well-known media such as the James Bond books and early films.
With the rise of online casinos thanks to the birth and rapid growth of the internet in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Baccarat experienced a resurgence. Online platforms made the game more accessible to a broader audience, allowing players to enjoy the game without leaving their homes. Variants like live dealer Baccarat, where real dealers interact with players via video streaming, have made the online Baccarat experience much more enticing. It is therefore no surprise that Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games worldwide today.
How to Play Baccarat
Before diving into Baccarat rules, it is essential to understand how card values work in Baccarat. Numbered cards up to 9 are worth their face value, Aces count as only 1 point and all other cards which are the 10s, Jacks, Queens and Kings are worth 0 points.
The maximum possible hand value in Baccarat is 9. If the total goes into double digits, only the last digit counts. For example, a hand with 7 and 8 has a total of 15 but following the aforementioned rule, only the 5 counts and serves as the hand value.
A typical Baccarat game will involve a table which includes sections for betting on the Player, Banker, or Tie as well as six to eight decks shuffled together. In the case of online Baccarat, the cards are computer generated and therefore randomized by the software instead.
Before the cards are dealt, players bet on whether the Player’s hand will win, the Banker’s hand will win or both hands will have the same total. At this stage, they should take note of Baccarat’s house edges which include one of the lowest among all casino games. The house edges for the three betting options in ascending order are as follows:
- Banker Bet: 1.06%
- Player Bet: 1.24%
- Tie Bet: 14.36%
Once the betting window has closed, two cards are dealt each to the Player and Banker hands which will then be calculated and compared. The hand with the higher total wins and winning bets will result in the following payouts:
- Player Bet: 1:1 payout
- Banker Bet: 1:1 payout (Note: A 5% house commission will be applied.)
- Tie Bet: 8:1 or 9:1 payout (Note: This varies depending on the casino and/or software.)
However, it should be noted that Baccarat has specific drawing rules which dictate whether a third card will be drawn for the Player or Banker. The Player hand is examined first and follows the Baccarat rules below:
- If the total is 0-5, a third card is drawn.
- If the total is 6-9, they stand. (Note: A total of 8 or 9 is the ideal and referred to in Baccarat rules as a “natural”.)
Meanwhile, the Banker’s action depends on their total and the Player’s third card with the specific Baccarat rules listed below:
- If the total is 0-2, a third card is drawn.
- If the total is 3, a third card is drawn unless the Player’s third card is an 8.
- If the total is 4 and the Player’s third card is 2-7, a third card is drawn.
- If the total is 5 and the Player’s third card is 4-7, a third card is drawn.
- If the total is 6 and the Player’s third card is 6 or 7, a third card is drawn.
- If the total is 7, they stand.
All of this is moot if either the Player or Banker has a total of 8 or 9 after the initial two cards as this is considered a “natural win” and the game ends there without any further card draws.
An Online Baccarat Guide Beyond the Basics
While Baccarat is primarily a game of chance, employing certain strategies can improve your chances of winning at it.
Bet on the Banker
According to the statistics, the win frequency of the Banker bet is slightly higher than that of the Player bet. Although a 5% commission is deducted from Banker wins, this bet still offers the best odds.
Avoid Tie Bets
Despite the allure of high payouts, the Tie bet has a significantly higher house edge. It is therefore best to avoid this option to maintain your bankroll.
Set a Budget
Before you even start a round of Baccarat, set your budget and do not allow yourself to change it. Baccarat can be exciting, but it is essential to play responsibly.
Keep It Simple
Do not complicate your game with elaborate strategies or betting systems. Focus on understanding the basic rules and just enjoy the game.
Make Use of Bonuses and Promotions
Many online casinos offer special and lucrative bonuses that can be used on table games with Baccarat being naturally included. Look out for good deals such as welcome bonuses if you are a new online casino player or promotions that apply to Baccarat games to maximize your playing time.
Check out online casinos like LEGABET and start your Baccarat journey today!
