Search
Close this search box.

How to Play Baccarat Like a Pro

Baccarat, a popular game dating back to 1400s Italy, is suitable for both novice and pro gamblers due to its easy rules and good online odds. Face cards are worth zero and players aim for a score below 9. Betting can be on the player's, banker's, or a tied hand; winnings are determined based on the hand with the highest value. While largely up to luck, understanding the rules and having a bankroll strategy can improve chances of winning. High-rollers benefit most from this game due to the banker’s hand's low house edge of 1.06%.

Don’t think baccarat 777 slot, or any other variant of baccarat for that matter, is way out of your league because it is 007’s most preferred game. On the contrary, baccarat is an excellent table game for both beginners and pros alike, offering you some of the best odds online. It’s easy and slow-paced, and you can quickly start playing it with minimum skill or strategy. In fact, you only need basic information, which surrounds the rules of play, to engage yourself in the action. To prove it to you, here is a complete guide on how to play baccarat like a pro. Also included on this page are a few tips to help you play like an old hand in baccarat.

A Short History of Baccarat

To best understand the game you intend to play, it’s important you first know its history. There is no clear origin of baccarat, although many sources agree that it was first played in Italy in the 1400s. During this time, it was referred to as “baccara,” which loosely translates to zero. This makes a lot of sense since all the face cards in baccarat (Queen, King, and Jacks) have a value of zero. As the game made its way to France, it adopted the name it uses today: Baccarat. Centuries later, baccarat is one of the most played and sought-after games both at the land-based and online casinos.

How to Play Baccarat Online

You must understand the basics before you can get to the complicated stuff. One of the reasons why baccarat is popular among casino players is its easy-to-follow and executed rules. Unlike blackjack, where you must make tough decisions such as hitting, splitting, doubling down, or taking insurance, baccarat requires you to only wager on the hand you think will have the strongest value. So, basically, you’ll be wagering on the player’s hand, the banker’s hand, or a tie between the two. Nothing complicated!

To wager, simply place your chip on the playing area you think will be the winner at the end of the round. If you are playing online, simply place your chips on the section on the screen you think will be the outcome of the game. The dealer/software will then ‘play’ the game and pay out the winnings.

How Points Are Determined

While playing baccarat, you must remember that all face cards are worthless; that is, they are valued at zero. All the remaining cards retain their face value, while the ace card is valued as 1. Remember, a point score below 9 is the most desirable while playing baccarat. Any score above this will see 10 being subtracted from it.

For example, if the first two cards dealt are 9 and 9, the total value of this hand is 8, and not 18. 10 is subtracted from it. Likewise, a hand with 6 and 6 is worth 2 and not 12.

Baccarat Payout Odds

If you correctly predict the winning hand at the end of a round, you receive a payout of 1:1. A banker’s win will also see a payout of 1:1, although you must pay a 5% commission for this. If you wager on a tie as the winning hand, you will receive a payout of 8:1 if it comes to pass.

Seeing that the banker’s and player’s hands pay out almost the same, it means their house edge is almost similar. The banker’s hand has a house edge of 1.06%, while that of the player’s hand has a 1.30% house edge. The tie bet, which has a massive payout of 8:1, has a massive house edge of 14.36%.

Tips to Help You Play Baccarat Like a Pro

Playing baccarat online is all about luck. While understanding the rules increases your chance of winning, the results of the game are determined via RNG software. But it doesn’t mean you can’t make some play to improve your winning chance. Here are tips to help you play baccarat like a pro.

  1. Have a bankroll management plan. This should guide you on how you can wager your bets. As a rule of thumb, your bankroll should sustain you for twenty successive losses.
  2. Play at a licensed and regulated online casino. It’s important because it ensures you are accessing only a safe, secure, and fair gaming experience.
  3. Bet on the banker’s hand. Because it has the highest chance of winning compared to the player’s hand or a tie bet. However, you will have to pay a 5% commission unless you are playing no-commission baccarat.
  4. You can hedge your bets. You are at liberty to place two bets in one game, meaning you can hedge your bets during gameplay. Hedging your bets means you place a bet on either the banker’s or player’s hand and back it with a small bet on the tie option.

Who Is the Right Person to Play Baccarat?

Anyone can play baccarat, whether online or at the brick and mortar casinos. However, this game is best suited for players with a massive bankroll (high-roller players). This way, you can always wager on the banker’s hand (with a 1.06% house edge). With such a low risk, your chances of turning baccarat into a profitable venture are quite high.

Related Posts