So, you understand how the rules of Baccarat, now what? Despite not being one of the most complex live casino games, the transfer of control from player to dealer can be a little disconcerting. Understanding what’s happening, why and to what extent you can control the outcome will likely give you the last few ounces of confidence you require to pull up a seat. So sit tight and let’s take a closer look at the actual gameplay.
How to participate in Baccarat
Regardless of how many people are playing, only two hands are dealt for each round. One is called the Banker’s hand, the other is the Player hand. You can bet on either hand. Keep in mind that despite the names given to each hand, don’t think of the Banker’s hand as belonging to the house or the Player hand belonging to the player. These are just titles and not indicators of ownership.
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Full-scale Baccarat vs Mini-Baccarat
There are two types of Baccarat tables. Full-scale Baccarat consists of a larger table that can accommodate up to 14 players and three dealer positions. Generally, ‘big baccarat’ will allow for the highest bet limits on the casino floor. It’s the original style of play that’s largely responsible for giving Baccarat its high-roller image.
Mini-Baccarat is half the size, with 7 player positions and just one dealer. This style only began to appear in land-based casinos in the 1980s as a way to encourage more casual or recreational players to try the game.
Another important distinction is that in Full-scale Baccarat, there’s an element of player participation. This plays out like something of a ceremony, showing respect to the player at the table placing the largest bets. The players who bet the highest on the Player and Banker’s hands will be allowed to turn over the respective cards. They will be offered the shoe and be allowed to look at the hand they have chosen before everyone else.
In Mini-Baccarat, which is the most common variety found a regular and in an Online Casino, the game runs without the ceremony and fanfare. The dealer plays out both hands, with no input from the players whatsoever. The result is a quicker game that’s preferred by the majority of players today.
If you’re looking for more information on hand values and how the different values are played out, check out our article on the rules of Baccarat.
What is the best bet in the game of Baccarat?
Most players will tell you to always bet on the Banker. It’s considered the best bet in the game due to the casino’s reduced house edge. However, the house will also take a 5% commission on all Banker bets, so this is something to weigh out. We discuss the house edge in more detail here.
Etiquette in Baccarat
As a game steeped in the glamour of casino glory days, there’s a certain code of etiquette that most players follow. Of course, this only applies if you’re playing at a land-based casino. Playing Baccarat online has removed much of the ceremony that traditionally comes along with the game.
However, if you’re about to make your brick and mortar Baccarat debut, here are some things you should keep in mind:
- The dealer is not allowed to take money directly from players’ hands.
- If you’re the player with the largest wager on the player bet and receive the player cards, do not look at them until both player and banker’s hands have been dealt (only relevant for full-scale baccarat).
- Likewise, if you’re holding the Banker’s hand, do not look at the cards until the dealer has flipped the player hand face up.
- Baccarat players can keep track of the results of each hand. Most casinos will even offer players score sheets and pencils where an ‘X’ can be placed in ‘Banker’, ‘Player’ or ‘Tie’ columns for each hand.
- Don’t join a table in the middle of a game – wait until the hand is complete. Once you’ve placed your bet, don’t touch your chips as some sensitive players might view this as an attempt to cheat.
- When you’re ready to leave the table, don’t forget to cover your commission (that’s the money you owe the House from any winning Banker bets).
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What are Streaks in Baccarat?
It’s human nature to cling to some sort of ‘system’ when playing games of chance, and Baccarat is no exception. Many players will take notes of streaks, keeping track of whichever hand is winning consecutively (Banker, Player or Tie) and placing bets on the hand that owns the streak.
The logic rests on the fact that when you flip a coin, it doesn’t alternate between heads or tails equally, but running streaks of either heads or tails will take place. The reality is that this has no effective bearing on the outcome of the game, and only really serves to make the decision-making process easier with every hand.
Can you count cards in Baccarat?
It’s common knowledge that Blackjack can be bested through a perfect card counting strategy, but is it the same for Baccarat? Many mathematicians have attempted to devise a system but the best one in circulation today only appears to yield a slight edge on the average of about one hand per eight-deck shoe. You don’t have to be a mathematician to conclude that this isn’t an edge worth going after.
Is there any skill involved in Baccarat?
The short answer is that Baccarat is purely a guessing game. Unlike with games like Blackjack, there’s no decision-making process involved. Players can only sit back and watch as their fate is determined by the deal of the cards.
The best advice you can be given is to avoid Tie Bets at all costs. Don’t be lured in by the attractive 8 to 1 payout, the casino edge on these bets is atrociously high. Aside from this, it’s important to remember that no matter which side you bet on, the casino always has an edge. It might be fairly small in comparison to other games, but it’s still very relevant.
Baccarat is a game of luck plus money management. Concentrate on your bankroll, keeping your bet sizes within your means. Don’t fall into the trap of increasing your bet size on a losing streak, many players have gone broke trying to cover losses this way. The smartest strategy is to increase your bet when you’re winning, and reduce it when you’re losing.
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