Baccarat, considered one of the easiest card games globally, is gaining increasing popularity. Unlike strategic decisions required in poker or blackjack, success in baccarat largely depends on chance, and strategies are linked to bankroll management. To enjoy baccarat, it's crucial to understand its rules.
What is the history of the game baccarat?
In the 15th century, an Italian named Felix Falguere gave the game a distinctive character, and it became known as Baccarat. Over time, it gained popularity in France and established its basic rules in the 19th century. The modern version, known as punto banco, emerged in land-based casinos in the 1940s.
What are the basic rules of baccarat?
Baccarat is a game against the casino, where the dealer or banker represents the establishment. In online casinos, a programmed algorithm or live dealers in a live casino are utilized. Players place bets on the player's win, the banker's win, or a tie.
Types of Bets:
- Player's Win (Player).
- Banker's Win (Banker).
- Tie (Tie).
Additional bets can be added after choosing the main outcome:
- Pair for the banker or player.
- Perfect Pair.
- Big hand (5 or 6 points).
- Small hand (4 points).
Card Dealing and Natural Combinations:
The dealer deals two cards to the player and themselves, then counts the points. If the sum exceeds 10, 10 points are subtracted from the result. The player aims to get as close to 9 points as possible. A natural combination is an eight and a nine. If a player gets it, the round ends, and hands are compared.
| Card meaning | Number of points |
|---|---|
| Tuz | 1 |
| Numbers from two to nine | at par |
| Ten, any pictures | 0 |
Receiving a Third Card:
If a player has 0 to 5 points, they are given the opportunity to take a third card. The dealer does this according to specific conditions described in the table.
| Player points or cards | Dealer points | Collection |
|---|---|---|
| There was no purchase | 6 or more | No |
| No eight | 3 | yes |
| Any quantity | 0-2 | yes |
| Any quantity | 7 | No |
| No four, five, six, seven | 5 | yes |
| No ten, picture, ace, eight or nine | 4 | yes |
It's worth noting that in casinos, refusing to receive a third card is not allowed according to baccarat rules. However, in home conditions, a player may decide to take an additional card voluntarily.
Determining the Winner and Payouts:
After receiving the third card, the winner is determined. The one with more points is declared the winner, and in case of a tie, it's a draw. Winnings are paid according to established coefficients.
If a player correctly predicts the outcome, their bet is doubled. In case of a loss, the chips placed are transferred to the casino.
Payouts for Main Outcomes:
- Player's victory — doubled.
- Dealer's victory — multiplied by 1 but 5% commission is withheld.
- Tie — multiplied by 9 (or 8 in some cases).
Multipliers for Side Bets:
- Pair for the banker or player — multiplied by 11.
- Perfect Pair — multiplied by 25.
- Big hand — multiplied by 0.54.
- Small hand — multiplied by 1.5.
Variations:
Casinos may introduce changes to standard rules by adding extra bets or altering coefficients. Some popular online casino variations include:
- Mini Baccarat (Mini Punto): No additional bets, and one deck is used.
- Super 6 or Punto 2000: Payout for a banker's bet without withholding a 5% commission, with a 0.5 to 1 payout if the banker has 6 points.
- Dragon 7: Win x50 if the dealer has 7 points with three cards.
- Panda 8: Win x25 if the banker scores 8 points with three cards.
Baccarat Playing Strategies:
While there is no strategy guaranteeing infallible victory in baccarat, using various methodologies can reduce the casino's advantage and increase the chances of success. The primary rule is to avoid tie bets due to their low probability.
Table of probabilities of winning various bets
| Exodus | Probability of winning | Casino Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Banker | 45.8% | 1.06% |
| Player | 44.6% | 1.24% |
| Draw | 9.51% | 14.36% |
| Dealer couple | 7.46% | 10.36% |
| Party couple | 7.46% | 10.36% |
| Perfect couple | 3.34% | 13.03% |
| Big hand | 61.10% | 4.35% |
| Small hand | 37.89% | 5.27% |
The lower the casino's advantage, the higher the probability of winning. Bets on the banker are more advantageous, although one should consider the 5% commission withheld upon winning.
To increase the likelihood of winning, progressive betting systems are employed:
- Doubling After Loss: The bet is doubled after a loss, compensating for previous losses. However, this method may be limited by casino maximum limits.
- Doubling After Win: The bet increases after a victory, using chips from the previous win. In case of a series of consecutive wins, the participant can accumulate a significant profit.
It's essential to remember that the effectiveness of any strategy is best tested in a free demo version, often provided by many baccarat developers. In the case of live tables, where the user can only observe the game, practicing with free chips is still valuable.
