Baccarat is without a doubt the simplest casino game there is. Once you have placed your bets, the cards are dealt according to a strict procedure. Baccarat is played automatically, leaving you time to enjoy a cocktail between rounds. However, it is still worthwhile asking about the rules to understand what is going on before your eyes.
The value of cards and hands in baccarat
In baccarat, you will need to add up the value of the cards you have been dealt to get a total between 0 and 9. In an online casino, the addition is done automatically.
How does a baccarat game work?
You place your chips in one of the boxes opposite your number. You have the option of betting on your own win, the dealer’s win or a tie. No cards are dealt until the bets have been placed. In the first phase of the game, players will receive two face-up cards from the dealer. Thereafter, the dealer will deal two cards to himself. In online baccarat, the value of the hands will be counted automatically.
If the player or the dealer has a hand of 8 or 9 points, it is a natural hand. Whoever has the closest possible hand to 9 (or ideally a 9-point hand) wins the round. You will receive winnings based on the bets you place. If the player and the dealer have the same number of points, the bets placed on the tie will win. If no natural hand has emerged and no tie has been established, the value of the player’s hand will determine the next step:
- If the player has a hand of 6 or 7 points, he stays on his game.
- If the player has a hand of 0 to 5 points, he will get an additional card, the value of which will be added to his two initial cards.
Baccarat Betting Options
Unlike Blackjack, you are not playing ‘against’ the dealer. You will have to bet on your win, the dealer’s win or a tie.
Bet on your hand – The first option is to bet on your own win. By doing this, you are assuming that you will have the best hand at the end of the game. This type of bet is also called a ‘punto’. If you are successful, the player is paid at odds of 1:1. The house profit margin is set at 1.36%.
Bet on the dealer – You can also place your bet in favour of a dealer win (banco). With a house edge of only 1.17%, this is the most profitable bet available! Since bets placed on the dealer are usually more successful than those placed on the player, the house takes a 5% commission. In fact, the dealer will win on average 3 or 4 times more than the player in an 8-deck baccarat game.
Tie bets – You also have the option of placing your bets on a tie if you have a hunch that you will end the round on the same number of points as the dealer. This type of bet pays out at odds of 8 to 1 because of the rarity of the situation. This makes it a particularly exciting bet for players looking for an elephantine payout. However, this type of bet concedes a 14.2% advantage to the house!
