From sticky-floor California card rooms to the tuxedo-laden casinos of Monte Carlo, baccarat is one of the most glamorous casino games around. But despite its elegance and sophistication, the game is very simple to play.
Players wager on either the Player hand, Banker hand or a Tie. The goal of each hand is to have a total closest to nine. If the hand total is over 9 points, drop the first digit and subtract 10.
Gameplay
Baccarat is a simple game with only three bets available. It is a game of chance, but unlike games like roulette or blackjack there are a number of strategies that can be used to improve your odds of winning.
Baccarat was once the preserve of high-rollers and VIP areas in casinos, but nowadays it’s increasingly common for online and live venues to offer the game at more accessible stakes. It’s also a game that’s a lot more familiar than you might think, as it featured heavily in James Bond novels and films by Ian Fleming.
The main objective of Baccarat is to bet on which hand will score the highest. A hand will win if it is closer to nine than the banker’s, but there are other side bets in the game that can add more fun and excitement. These include betting on a tie, and on whether the player or banker will be dealt a third card.
Rules
Few table games evoke such a sense of glamour and excitement as Baccarat. Once the leisurely pursuit of Napoleonic French elites and later popularised in palatial casinos of Havana, this classic game has become one of the most popular casino online games around. The rules of baccarat are relatively simple – players place bets on either the banker hand, the player hand or the tie. The winner is whichever hand has the highest total after the cards are dealt.
The goal is to get as close to nine as possible, with a total of eight or nine being considered a ‘natural’ win. The scoring system is as follows: tens, queens, kings and jacks count as zero; all other cards count as their numerical value. If either the banker or player hands have a total of 8 or 9, no further cards will be drawn, which is known as a ‘stand’. If neither of these hands has a total of 8, a third card will be drawn (see the drawing rules table below). The Hippodrome allows players to turn their own cards in this game, adding an extra element of interaction.
Payouts
The payouts in baccarat depend on the outcome of the round. The winning hand is the one closest to nine points, and ties are a push. The game is played with eight standard cards, plus a special third card if the banker wishes to draw it.
Players can place bets in different areas of the table – the Player, Banker and Tie betting areas. These are clearly labelled to make it easier for players to place their chips. Depending on the version of the game and the casino, there are also side bets available.
Two popular side bets are Double-suited 3-card 8 and Suited 3-card 8. These side bets pay if the player or banker has a suited combination of three cards that add up to an eight. These side bets are usually available in online baccarat games powered by Playtech. They can increase your chances of a big win and lower the house edge.
Variations
Baccarat variations are available for players to choose from, with each offering a unique twist on the game. These variations can range from different betting options to game rules and gameplay styles. Understanding these variations can help players make informed decisions when placing bets.
Among the most common baccarat variations are Punto Banco and Chemin de Fer. The former is a more familiar variation of the game, and it can be found in many online casinos. To play this variation, players take turns being the banker and establish a stake before cards are dealt. Other players can then announce a “Banco,” indicating that they are willing to bet an amount that coincides with the banker’s stake.
Once the dealing round is complete, the banker and the bettors reveal their hands. The hand with the highest value wins. The values of the cards are calculated by adding up the sums of their digits, but only the rightmost digit is taken into account.