How To Play Baccarat Card Game

• How To Play Baccarat Card Game Games
• How To Play Baccarat Game
• How To Play Baccarat Card Game Cards

Baccarat is an interesting and popular card game that is probably one of only a few you are likely to come across in a casino that allows you to bet against yourself to win. Here is a simple guide on how to play Baccarat, including the rules and probabilities involved and the strategy you should bear in mind when you are playing.

Baccarat rules

The objective of Baccarat is to successfully bet on whether the next round will be won by yourself, the banker or a tie.

CARD ONE: In a casino game of Baccarat, a bettor is in control of the shoe (which holds the cards). At the start of the game, the bettor with the shoe draws one card and passes it to the dealer. The dealer passes the card to the customer with the highest bet on the Player hand. Online Baccarat games are normally played with 6 decks of playing cards, but there are some games where 8 decks of playing cards are used. A typical Baccarat game begins with punters betting on the Player position, the Banker position or a tie. The dealer draws 4 cards from the shoe (all of them facing down). Baccarat is a card game played at casinos in several different versions. The most popular one provided by most casinos is called puntobanco. PuntoBanco is played with four, six or eight decks shuffled together. It can be played with up to twelve or fourteen players, but one player can play alone against the casino.

A round is won if the value of the player or banker’s initial hand is worth eight or nine (referred to as a natural, with nine beating eight) or tied if both get a natural of the same value.

If neither achieve this, the round is won by whoever’s hand has the highest value up to nine after they have been dealt a third card, if they are allowed to receive one. If the two hands have the same value after this stage, the round is tied.

In most casinos, a successful bet on the player has a payout of 2:1, a successful bet on the banker has a payout of 2:1 minus 5% the value of the original bet (195% of the original bet), and a successful tie bet has a payout of 8:1. Generally, if a round is tied, any bets on the player and banker are carried through to the next round.

Baccarat often uses eight decks and can have a single player up to as many as fourteen (not including the banker).

Baccarat card values

Face cards (Kings, Queens and Jacks) and 10 are worth zero, Aces are worth one and cards from two to nine are worth their pip value (the value stated on the card).

The maximum Baccarat value a hand can have is nine, meaning hands with a value up to nine count as such. For hands that have a value of 10 or more, only the last digit of their value is used (for instance, a hand comprised of a six and seven would not be worth 13, but three).

Baccarat gameplay

There are multiple variants of Baccarat, although by far the most popular and used at casinos is Punto banco, which is outlined below. Common alternatives include Chemin de fer (sometimes referred to as chemmy), Baccarat banque (also known as à deux tableaux) and Macao, which are covered in our guide to Baccarat variants.

How to play Punto banco

In punto banco, the decks are shuffled in a shoe with a cut card placed in front of the seventh from last card. The banker burns the first card face up and depending on its value (with Aces worth one and face cards worth 10), then precede to burn that many cards face down. Bets are placed at the start of the round before the cards have been dealt. At this stage a player may also place a Baccarat side bet, which is covered in its own article.

The player (‘punto’) and banker (‘banco’) are then dealt two cards, alternating between the player and banker.

If either the player or banker has a natural worth eight or nine and the other does not, or one has a hand worth nine and the other’s hand is worth eight, the person with the higher valued hand has won the round. If both have a natural of the same value, the round is tied.

If neither has a hand worth eight or nine, it is then determined whether the player can receive a third card. If the player’s initial hand is worth zero to five, they can do so, and if it is worth six or seven, they must stand.

If the player stands, the banker must then determine if they can receive a third card according to the same rules. If the player has received a third card, whether or not the banker can receive a third card is decided by the following:

• If the banker’s hand is worth two or less, they draw a third card.
• If the banker’s hand is worth three, they draw a third card unless the player's third card was an eight.
• If the banker’s hand is worth four, they draw a third card if the player's third card was between two and seven.
• If the banker’s hand is worth five, they draw a third card if the player's third card was between four and seven.
• If the banker’s hand is worth six, they draw a third card if the player's third card was a six or seven.
• If the banker’s hand is worth seven, they stand.

This is summarised by the table below:

When can the banker draw a third card in Baccarat?

After all of this has been determined and any cards have been dealt, the winner is the person who has the hand with the higher value up to nine. If the player and banker have hands with the same value, the round is tied.

Baccarat round example

Here are is an example of a Baccarat round based on a game featuring three players and the banker:

• At the start of the round, Player 1 bets €100 on themselves to win and Players 2 and 3 bet €100 on the banker to win. The banker then deals everyone their cards – the banker gets two sevens (14), giving them an initial hand value of four.
• Player 1 is dealt a five and four, for an initial hand value of nine. They have therefore beat the banker via natural and win their bet on a 2:1 payout, receiving €200.
• Player 2 is dealt a 10 and a Jack, for an initial value of zero. They are thus dealt a third card which is an eight, meaning their hand finishes with a value of eight. The banker is not allowed to deal a third card against them, meaning they beat the banker by eight to four but lose their bet, as they bet on the banker to win.
• Player 3 is dealt a nine and a seven (16) for an initial value of six, meaning they are required to stand. The banker is allowed to deal a third card against them, which is a five, giving them a final hand value of nine. This means that Player 3 has lost the round but won their bet, receiving a 2:1 payout minus 5% the value of their original bet, equating to €195.

Baccarat odds and probabilities

Whereas probability has a less pivotal role in Baccarat than other card games such as Blackjack, it is still useful to be aware of the probabilities and odds involved. To start, the probability of getting a card of any value from Ace through to King is approximately 7.69%. As there are four cards worth zero (10, Jack, Queen and King), the probability of getting a card worth zero is 30.76%.

Based on this, the chance of getting a natural eight or nine from your opening two cards and winning is 16.25%. The probability of the player and banker getting a natural of the same value is 1.79% and the odds of a player getting eight and banker getting nine is 0.90%. Not getting an eight or nine and losing to the banker is a 15.35% chance and neither the banker nor player getting an eight or nine is the most likely outcome at approximately 65.72%.

Furthermore, the law of probabilities dictates that for an eight deck game in Baccarat, the banker wins approximately 45.86% of the time, the player wins around 44.62% of the time and 9.52% of rounds finish as a tie. This means that of the rounds that are not tied, the banker wins 50.68% and the player wins 49.32% of the time.

As the odds favour the banker, the casino secures a house edge by charging a 5% commission on winning bets on the banker. The respective house edges for betting on the player and banker and a tie can be calculated as follows:

House edge on player bets

Probability of player winning - Probability of banker winning = House edge

0.446247 - 0.458597 = -0.01235 = 1.24% house edge

House edge on banker bets

(0.95 x Probability of banker winning) - Probability of player winning = House edge

(0.95 x 0.458597) - 0.446247 = -0.01057985 = 1.06% house edge

House edge on tie bets

(8 x Probability of tie) - Probability of player winning - Probability of banker winning = House edge

(8 x 0.095156) - 0.446247 - 0.458597 = -0.0143596 = 14.36% house edge

On rare occasions, casinos may offer less than a 5% commission rate on banker bets. That affects the house edge on banker bets as follows:

Baccarat strategy

As most of time the player’s only action in a round of Baccarat is to place a bet at the start, there is limited strategy that can be applied to the game. However, there are tips informed by the probabilities and house edges involved that are helpful to consider.

In Baccarat, it is important to not fall into the trap of reading into patterns that are not there.

Firstly, the most sensible approach is the bet on the banker in any given round, as it is the most likely outcome and offers the smallest house edge irrespective of the commission applied. Whilst the latter still dictates that you are likely lose €1.06 for every €100 bet on the banker, this is a better predicted return than betting equivalent amounts on the player and a tie.

Indeed, betting on ties is very difficult to justify. Whilst the 8:1 payout may suggest it is a proficient route to boosting your winnings, a 9.52% probability translates to it occurring only once every 10.5 rounds. This offers the aforementioned very large 14.36% edge to the house, underlining that it is firmly a poor value bet.

It is also important to not fall into the trap of reading into patterns that are not there. Even if the banker has just won ten rounds in a row, their chances of winning the next is still 45.86%, so treat each round as independent.

Finally, if a casino uses less than eight decks and charges less than 5% commission on banker bets, playing at their tables will allow you to enjoy a narrowly better banker win probability and more favourable house edges respectively.

Learn more about Baccarat

If you’re interested in alternative ways to play Baccarat, check out our guides to Baccarat variants and Baccarat side bets. If you want to learn more about Baccarat beyond how to play the game, you can read about the history of Baccarat.

Play Baccarat on Pinnacle Casino

Pinnacle has a wide range of Baccarat games for you to enjoy, including Live Baccarat, 3D Baccarat, Punto Banco and many more!

How to Play Baccarat : When you think of a casino, you will mostly think about the big games like Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, etc. Well, why not? These games are the most popular among the lot. There are plenty of other fun games (even simpler) to play at the casino table so that you have a good time the next time you decide to gamble.

One such game you need to know about is Baccarat. In very simple words – this is a guessing game with no real strategy or skill-level required. For years, it was considered only a game that casino elites and veterans used to play, but more recently, it has been made accessible to the general public. Note that there are plenty of online sites as well where you can play Baccarat and learn how to play Baccarat.

Elements of a Typical Baccarat Game

The Baccarat Table

Typically, the game is played between 7 to 14 players. The size depends on the Baccarat platform or casino and the version of the game that is being played. No matter the number of players around the table, there are only two cards that are dealt – Banker and Player.

The Betting Areas

There are three betting areas, Player, Banker, and Tie. They are marked with distinct colors and written words, above the tabletop.

The Dealer

How To Play Baccarat Card Game Games

He/she is responsible for dealing with the cards. They stand at the center of the table so that all the players are within an accessible reach.

The Commission Box

There is a 5% commission that goes to the dealer every time the banker wins. There may be a single large box kept near the bank, which tracks the commission or individual boxes kept beside each player.

Also Read : Baccarat Tips & Tricks Best Strategies to Win in Baccarat Games

How Are Points Calculated in Baccarat?

The point system in Baccarat game is different from most other games. One important rule is that nine is the highest number that can enable a hand to win.

• Each picture card and 10 cards do not carry any point.
• The cards which are numbered between 2-9 carry the same points as their number.
• The ace carries a single point.
• If the addition of banker cards’ value or the player cards’ value crosses 10, then the first digit is eliminated and the second digit becomes the value of the hand. For example, if they add up to 15, then the value of the hand is 5. The bet on the hand that is closest to 9 becomes the winner.

How to Play Baccarat Step By Step Guide

To learn how to play Baccarat, please follow the below steps.

Step 1 : Before you begin to play, keep a budget in your head and just stick to that. Baccarat can be intensive and addictive, especially if you see streaks of the hand you bet on, winning.

Step 2 : Before the cards are dealt by the dealer, place the bets. You can place your bets on Banker’s hand, Player’s hand, or the Tie.

Step 3 : Then the round begins. In a normal round, two cards are dealt for each of the Player and Banker’s hands. There might be additional cases when a third card may be drawn for either of the hands.

Step 4 : Understand how the point system works. The hand whose value is closest to 9 becomes the winner.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Playing Baccarat

• Make sure you decide how much you want to spend in advance. As mentioned earlier, it is extremely easy to get carried away as the game progresses. Treat this as an expenditure for a night out, do not expect to bring any money back. So, choose only the amount that you will be completely okay losing.
• To add to this, do not bring credit cards. If you do, you might be tempted to continue playing.
• Decide when you want to leave the game. It is not suggested to continue playing for greed or desperation. Many players set a positive limit and a negative limit on their money, for when they will quit the game.

Difference Between Natural Win and Third Card Drawn

Well, there are two ways you can win in the game of Baccarat. A natural win happens when the point total of either hand is 8 or 9. When this happens, the game is over and the bet amount is paid.

When the total of the hand value does not equal 8 or 9, the dealer may draw another card depending on the total value. The rules when the third card should be drawn are extremely clear. Know that before you begin to play.

Also Read : Baccarat Rules How to Play Baccarat, Origin, Tips and Guidelines

Variations in the Baccarat Game

How To Play Baccarat Game

Depending on the venue it is played, and the people who play it, there have been different variations in the Baccarat game. Here are some popular ones:

The Big Baccarat

The Big Baccarat is the original version of the game with up to 14 plates seated around a large, marked table. The players who give the biggest bet for the banker’s hand or the player’s hand, get a chance to look at the cards before they are announced to the other players. But this does not provide any advantage to them, it’s just a plus.

Midi Baccarat

Midi Baccarat is almost the same as the traditional version, but a total of 9 players play this game. The players with the largest bet can view the cards, but again, it does not offer any advantage to their game.

Mini Baccarat

Mini Baccarat is a high-intensity game with 7 players around the table. Some games reach more than 100 decisions in an hour. Typically, casinos do not allow the viewing of cards for the biggest bettors, although there could be exceptions in some casinos.

Squeeze Baccarat

It is a small variation in Baccarat that some casino sites offer. The general rules of Squeeze Baccarat stay the same, but as a player, you get a chance to squeeze, bend, twist or fold the card as a part of the dealing activity. This does not give any advantage but is considered a tactic to lengthen the gameplay or just for fun.

Responsible Gambling

• Baccarat is a fun game to play, but it is easy to get carried away. Be conscious about the money you spend on this game, only work with the amount you would not mind losing at all.
• Do not get emotionally attached to the game, whether it goes in your favor or not. Consider it as a relaxing activity and nothing more.
• More importantly, stick to the rules, play ethically, and treat others at the table with kindness and dignity, even if you are having a bad day at the table.

Conclusion

That’s Baccarat for you! Watch some videos online, talk to people who have been playing it for a long time now, and try the game the next time you are at the table. If you do not want to go to a casino, there are plenty of sites as well that offer Baccarat as a game.

Read through the terms and conditions of each of these sites, before you start learning how to play Baccarat. Only play at legit and trusted casino websites. Have fun playing responsibly!

How To Play Baccarat Card Game Cards

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