Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games. Previously, the game was reserved for high-rollers and was only played in special rooms. Now anyone can play baccarat regardless of their financial status. You just need to find a suitable online casino UK and either play the live dealer version or the virtual one. This guide will take you through the Baccarat rules and strategies.
How to Play Baccarat
Baccarat is played on large tables that can accommodate up to 14 players. The seats are numbered so that the casino can keep track of the commissions. Many casinos offer mini-baccarat games that follow the same Baccarat rules but are played on smaller tables. Mini-bac also has smaller bets compared to the standard game. Live casino baccarat is similar to traditional brick and mortar baccarat, except that the games are played over video conferencing services.
In the game of Baccarat, gamblers can only place wagers. They don’t hit or stand like they would in Blackjack. These are the three acceptable bets in Baccarat:
- Banker wins
- Player wins
- They tie
Before the game starts, participants have to place their wager. The dealer will then give two cards to the player and two cards to the banker. The goal of the player and banker is to get a total score that is close to 9. In this game, cards are assigned values as follows:
- Aces- 1
- Jack, Queen, and King- 0
- 2 to 9- Face value
In case they get a value that is above 9, the first digit is dropped so that the total value still stays at a single figure. For example, if a player gets a total score of 16, the first number is dropped to give a new total of 6.
If the banker or player get a value of 8 in the first round, they are declared the natural winner. It is also possible for the game to end in a draw if one participant gets an 8 and the other gets a 9.
The player will be dealt a third card if they have a total value of 5 or less, and they have to stand on a score of 6 or 7. The banker draws another card if they have a total score of 5 or less.
If you bet on the banker winning, your payout will be 1 to 1. The banker has the highest probability of winning since their house edge is 1.06. The tie has the largest house edge of 14.36 percent.
Baccarat Techniques
Baccarat is a game of chance, but you can apply specific strategies to minimize the house advantage. Here are some essential tips:
- Never bet on a tie- The house advantage for ties is at 14.36 percent, meaning on average, the casino will take 14.36 percent of your money. Your best chance would be to bet on the banker. Correctly choosing your bet will allow you to play for a more extended period, even if you don’t have a lot of money.
- Look for an online casino UK that has fewer decks- If the game is played with a single deck, the house advantage on the banker will drop to 1.01 percent, giving you a better chance of winning.
- Manage your bankroll- Money management is vital in baccarat. You should always remember that there are no guarantees. Even with the best strategies, you are still likely to end up with losses. It is wise to split your entertainment money into smaller bets so that you can play for longer and have multiple chances of getting small wins. If you win a large sum of money, you can spend half of it on more games and keep the rest as your winnings.
- Stick to a single strategy- Once you decide on the size and type of bet, you should stick to it no matter what happens in the game. For example, if you have chosen to stake 10 units on the banker in every round, you should be consistent with the bet even if multiple games result in ties. It is important to remember that the game relies on chance.
Conclusion
Baccarat can be played at most online casinos. If you still want to enjoy the company and atmosphere of a traditional casino but don’t want to travel, you can opt for the live dealer version of the game. Follow the tips listed above to minimize your losses.