Learn To Play Baccarat
What Is Baccarat?
Baccarat is a very popular card game played at casinos. It involves players being dealt a two card hand and competing against the table’s hand, known as the “Banker”. A round of Baccarat is called a ‘coup’. There are three possible outcomes from a hand. The player can win if he has a higher score than the banker, the banker can win if they have a higher score than the player. There can also be a tie.
Baccarat Hand Values
In the game of Baccarat the cards have point values. The cards 2 – 9 are worth their number in points, while the 10, Jack, Queen & King have 0 points value. Aces are worth 1 point. The hands are valued by adding the two numbers up, and using the number on the right. For example, a player is dealt a hand of 6 + 8. The total is 14, but the value is the number on the right, so it would be 4. As the point system goes on the last digit, the highest hand possible in Baccarat is a 9.
Punto Banco Baccarat
Punto Banco is the most well known version of Baccarat and is popular in casinos in Australia, Europe, United Kingdom and United States of America. The player is called ‘Punto’ and the banker is ‘Banco’. The casino plays hands to both the Player & Banker according to the fixed draw rules (Tableau) A bettor has the choice to back either the Player or Banker. The game is usually dealt with six – eight decks of cards.
At the start of the round, the dealer will deal one card face up, and depending on that cards value, will then burn that amount of cards face down in the middle. Two cards are then dealt face up to the Player & Banker slots. If the Player or Banker hits an eight or nine on the first draw and beats the opposition, they will win the round. If the player or banker doesn’t have an eight or nine then the Tableau drawing rules will apply.
Tableau Drawing Rules
Players Rule
Players Total = 0 – 5. Then they draw a third card. If they have six – seven points, they stand and don’t draw a third card.
Bankers Rule
Bankers total = 2 or less, then the banker draws a third card
Bankers total = 3, banker draws third card unless the player’s third card was 8
Bankers total = 4, banker draws third card if the player’s third card was 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Bankers total = 5, banker draws third card if the player’s third card was 4, 5, 6, or 7
Bankers total = 6, banker draws third card if the player’s third card was 6 or 7
Bankers total = 7, banker stands
Baccarat Payouts
At the end of the coup, whoever has the highest value hand will win. In the event of a tie, both player and banker bets will remain active for the next round, while all tie bets will have won that round and be paid out at 8 to 1 odds.
Bets are collected from those who backed the losing hand, while bets are paid out to those who backed the winning hand. Bets on the Player are usually paid out at even money odds (1 to 1). Bets on the banker are paid at rate of 95%. With 5% being the commission for the hand.
Baccarat House Edge
The old saying is true, the house always wins. This case hold true for Baccarat, however it has one of the lowest house edges among casino games.
Banco wins 1.06%
Punto wins 1.24%
Ties 14.4%
Baccarat Tips
- Bet on the Banker hand for the lowest house edge (1.06%)
- Don’t bet on the tie too much. While the high payouts are attractive, the high house edge can result in some big losses.
- Use proper money management. Know the size of your bankroll and how many hands you can play betting at certain stakes. This can help you get through any unlucky streaks, and means you can play more games in the long run.
Baccarat is a fun casino game that has plenty of action for players & spectators. While playing it in a land based casino delivers the best atmosphere, you can enjoy some amazing live games from the comfort of your own home. We recommend checking out Ignition Casino for their 24/7 live baccarat games.
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