Baccarat

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While casino games like poker and blackjack are more widely known, the game of Baccarat is a popular one played in land-based and online casinos around the globe. It has relatively ancient origins in Italy, where Felix Falguiere created it in the 15th Century. Pronounced “buh-ka-rah”, the name comes from the Italian word for zero - baccara. In this enjoyable game, all teh face cards and 10s are worth zero.

Described as a comparing card game played between two hands, the “player” and the “banker”, the game of Baccarat utilises eight 52-card decks. The user can bet on the Player, Banker or on a tie, with the highest-possible score being a nine. The following values are attached to the cards:

How to Play Baccarat

Getting started with Baccarat is easy: the player is dealt two cards and the value of those cards is combined. If the value comes to more than 10, 10 is subtracted from the score. It illustrate: an A and a 9 would have a value of 0: 1 (A) + 9 (9) = 10. Because 10 or more require that 10 be subtracted, the value is now zero: 10 – 10 = 0.

If the Player or Banker gets a combined score of 8 or 9 on their first two cards the hand is finished, and all wins are calculated. If neither the Player nor Banker have an 8 or 9 with their first two cards, the following rules apply:

• Player Rules: If the Player has 0 – 5, a third card is dealt. If the Player has a 6 or 7, the hand STANDS.

• Banker Rules: If the Player stands, the Banker draws a third card if their hand is valued at 0-5. If the player draws a third card, the value of the card drawn by the Player and the value of the Banker’s hand determine whether or not the Banker gets a third card.

The maximum number of cards either the Player or Banker can receive in baccarat is 3. If both the Player and Banker are required to draw a third card, the cards will then be added up and the player closest to 9 is the winner.

Winning bets on the Player or Banker pay at 2:1.

Ties are possible in baccarat. If the user is betting on the Player or Banker and a tie occurs, the hand is considered a push and no money is gained or loss. However, the user can bet that the Player and Banker will tie. A winning Tie bet pays 9:1.

Baccarat Games

• Baccarat Pro - 8 Decks
• Punto Banco - 6 Decks Online casinos offer a variety of graphic designs in their games, with Live Casinos offering life-like simulations of the brick-and-mortar versions of the game of Baccarat, so players can explore to find a style that suits their preferences.

FAQs

What are the basic rules of Baccarat?

Each hand starts with 2 cards and the values are summed, the one nearest to 9 wins. Where the sum goes beyond 9, the value returns to 0 instead of going to 10 for example.

What is the house edge in Baccarat?

Baccarat has a lower advantage over the players than in most table games. The Banker's hand is around 1.06%, which means the house edge in Baccarat is one of the better odds available to players.

Can I use strategy to increase my edge in Baccarat?

Yes there are a few strategies to use when playing Baccarat but the two most common ones are, Avoiding tie bets and Bet with the Banker.

How is the score calculated?

The value of the two cards are added together, 2 - 9 has face value, 10, J, Q, K is 0 and the A is 1. For example, an A & 5 would have a value of 6: 1 (A) + 5 (5) = 6.