Casino Baccarat for Everyone
Who says casino baccarat is meant just for the elite? This famous card game is suitable for everyone who wants to relax and fun in the house. Baccarat takes its name from the Italian word for "zero." It is especially popular in casinos in Macau, where 80% of all gamblers play only baccarat. But it is widely played elsewhere in the world too, including the United States and of course the Internet.
It is easy to play baccarat. Casinos distinguish between baccarat played in high stakes tables, and mini-baccarat for ordinary gambling. The rules for both are the same; the only difference is that in full baccarat, the players take turns dealing the cards themselves. This slows down the game (i.e. reduces the number of hands played per hour) but this is all right for the casinos since this is done only in high stakes tables. In mini-baccarat, dealers handle the cards and play is much faster. This is necessary since lower stakes are played for.
Play is straightforward. Cards will deal two sets of cards. These sets of cards are nominally called "Banker" and "Player." These cards are owned by none. You do not play them. What you do is wager on which set of cards you think is going to win: player or banker or tie? That is all you have to do in baccarat: bet on either side or a tie!
The winner is the one with a hand total of 9 or closest to 9. Cards 2-9 bear their pip value; ace is 1 and the rest are 0. If a hand has a two-digit score like 14, the second digit is dropped so it is 4.
The player hand is resolved first. If a hand in baccarat is a 9 or 8, it is a natural and wins immediately - unless the other side has a better or equal natural. If there is no natural, more cards will be drawn but never more than 3 cards total.
Player's move after two cards:
0-5 = Draw a third card 6-7 = Will stand 8-9 = Natural
Total of first two cards:
0-2 = Always draws 3 = Draws if the player's last card is not an 8 4 = Draws if the player's last card is bit 0,1,8 or 9 5 = Draws if the player's last card is bit 0,1,2,3,8 or 9 6 = Draws if the player's last card is not 0,1,2,3,4,5,8 or 9 7 = Stands 8 or 9 = Natural
What about payoffs in this casino game? A winning bet on either player or banker pays even money. On a tie, the payoff is usually 8:1. Sometimes it is 9:1.
The rules for drawing cards may seem complicated. But the beauty of baccarat is you do not have to know anything about that. The dealer will supervise everything. All you need to do is bet on the side you like and that's it.
According to statistics, the banker is always the better bet. The house edge there is only 1.06%. In plain language, that means you almost break even in the long run. Beware though. If you play mini-baccarat (and this is likely), you could be playing as many as 200 hands per hour. Play in a full table to reduce the number of hands played and save money.
Don't be put off by baccarat's classy reputation. Play this game if you just want to have a good time in the casino with your friends. Visit your favorite casino or play baccarat online now!