FAQ About Baccarat - Tips on How to Play

When a type of activity is fun and exciting and has been around for centuries, why change it for something new and unfamiliar? While the way it is done and played can be upgraded, the core formula should always stay the same if possible. This is precisely the case with the popular casino-style gambling games that have been dominating the gambling world for a long time. Games like poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, and slot machines make up the core of every casino experience. However, one more is right up there with them, and that is baccarat.

Baccarat is among the most widely spread and famous casino games. Both in physical casino resorts and on the internet, it is a game that people from all walks of life enjoy. It is interesting, dynamic, fun, and strategic in a way for both casual and serious gamblers to enjoy. Nowadays, thanks to the widespread fast internet connection and new ways to play on the web, it is even more popular than before. However, some players do not know enough about it to make it a part of their usual rotation. Some would like a new game to try to break their routine but are uncertain as to which one. In this guide, we talk about Baccarat in a way that helps everyone. We answer the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) and give you tips on how to play and win.

Baccarat is a very popular card game that is often described as a game of elegance and high society. Captivating and exciting to play, it is thrilling and very dynamic. It is also quite an old game as the earliest known origins go back to the 15th century. Originally played in Italy, it started with tarot cards and then gradually evolved and spread across Europe and beyond. It quickly gained popularity in France, especially among the aristocracy and the French court. The nobility had money to spare so they enjoyed gambling with it while partaking in this new and engaging game. Fast forward to the modern day and it is among the most iconic casino games worldwide with dedicated tables on every casino floor.

The word for the game comes from the Italian “baccara” meaning “zero”. The word is derived and now symbolizes the value of certain cards in the game. Associated with glamour due to its portrayal in pop fiction, mainly the iconic James Bond series of films, particularly Casino Royale, it quickly rose to stardom in modern times. Due to its simple structure that still allows for an exhilarating pace, it is a game that has a fine blend of luck, strategy, and high stakes, unlike some other popular (card) games that favor one of these aspects more than the rest. The main goal of the game is to wager on the outcome of two hands, the player’s hand and the banker’s hand. The winning hand is the one closest to the total value of nine. Speaking of the goal…

The game certainly does look complicated and sophisticated when you see it in a movie or a popular TV show. It can even seem intimidating and overwhelming when one realizes how easily people behave while playing it. In reality, it is all practice and experience and the game has a similar skill ceiling and level as some other popular card games. The game is surprisingly straightforward and easy to pick up, and even to get the essence of, in just a few rounds.

Let us start with the card values. In Baccarat, cards between 2 and 9 are worth their face value, like in most other games. The 10, Jack, Queen, and King have no value and are considered zero. This is very different from other games where, usually, these would be the most valuable cards that win games. Lastly, the Ace is worth 1 point. The value of each hand is determined by the total sum of the cards. However, if the total exceeds 9, the last digit is counted. For example, if someone has a 7 and an 8 in their hand totaling 15, the hand counts as 5.

Then comes the “Deal” phase when the game begins and the dealer deals two hands, one for the player and one for the banker. Each hand receives two cards and based on the totals, a third card might be drawn. Speaking of the third card rule, it happens when the total is 5 or less for the player so they draw another card. The banker follows more complex rules with their third card as it depends on both their hand value and that of the player’s third card. Banker’s decisions are predetermined and based on strict guidelines, an element that adds mystery and strategy to the gameplay outcome.

As mentioned earlier, the goal of the game is to get closer to nine, and both the player and the banker attempt to do it. A win occurs if either of the two sides totals eight or nine after the initial two cards are dealt. This results in an immediate win with no further cards needing to be drawn. It does happen more often than one would think as the probability of it is not so low. On the other hand, if no natural win occurs, the hand with the highest total wins.

Overall, the players have three different basic betting options to go with. They can bet the player's hand, the banker's hand, or a tie between the two. Interestingly, the banker bet has a slight advantage because of the drawing rules. Usually, there is a commission of 5% charged on the winnings from the banker bet so that the house can remain profitable on the more likely bet.

When it comes to the tie bet, happens when the player and the banker have the same total in their hand. While the odds are higher for a tie bet at around 8 to 1, it is generally considered the riskiest wager in the game and the players are usually not keen on picking it. After all, it is much more interesting to bet on yourself or the banker as it feels like a personal duel where it is not interesting to have a draw.

Now that you know about all of the rules and betting options, it is time to learn How to play Baccarat. Knowing the rules is one thing, but going through the process of playing requires a step-by-step guide and a methodological approach. First things first, you need to place your bet. As mentioned, you can choose between betting on the player, the banker, or a tie. Tie bets are the least common with a lower chance of happening, but to each their own. The majority are split between the other two bets and once they are placed, the dealer shuffles the deck and deals the cards.

The dealer then gives two cards to the player and the banker, all of them facing up. At that point, it is all about eagerly watching the cards being revealed and looking to see if the player is closer to the elusive number 9 or the banker. When the cards are shown, the total value of each hand is calculated, and if someone goes over 9, the second digit counts. If either side has a natural 8 or 9, they win instantly. If not, the third card comes into play. If the player has 5 or fewer, they draw a third card. If the player stands, i.e. has a total of 6 or 7, the banker might still draw depending on their hand and the player’s third card. The final totals are revealed and the round ends.

It is then time for the payouts and determining the winner. If your bet is on the winning hand, you collect your payout of course. Player wins usually pay 1:1, while banker wins are 1:1 minus the 5% commission for the house. Tie bets are much riskier and with better odds with the payout being 8:1. They could end in some big prize money, should luck come your way. After each round, players can place new bets for the next or cash out fully and end their session. As you can see, it is a very quick and easy game where most of the strategy deals with managing the bankroll and picking the betting options.

Although mostly revolving around luck because you cannot control the cards, some strategic tips can increase your odds and make the most of your experience at the table. Both online at Stake.com and in real-life scenarios, as well as for both seasoned players and beginners, these tactics can elevate the game and prevent you from losing money unnecessarily. First of all, make sure to bet on the banker most of the time. This is the most fundamental tip for Baccarat because statistically, the banker hand has a higher chance of winning because of the third card rules. The house edge of the banker is around 1.06%, lower than the player bet at 1.24%. While there is usually a 5% commission on banker betting winnings, it is still the smarter wager in terms of probability and it does tend to happen more often than the player bet. It is all about consistency and keeping your money with you.

Similarly, in terms of tactics, make sure to avoid the tie bet. While tempting due to the lucrative payout that can even be 9:1 or higher, the odds are stacked against you across the board. The probability is significantly lower than either the player or the banker winning. In addition to this, the house edge is as high as 14.36%, a very high number that no sane gambler wants to chase and go up against. While fun to try every once in a while, it is often called the “sucker” bet. Anyone serious about long-term baccarat success should avoid it. The only reason to do it is if you are on a significant win streak and want to test your luck further so you pick a tie to test Lady Luck. Otherwise, resist the urge and trust the experts’ advice.

Following the trends but never relying on them fully is another good piece of advice for a session of baccarat. Tables often feature road maps or scoreboards that track the results of previous hands. This is particularly true for online varieties. Players enjoy following the trends and looking for patterns despite it all being RNG, algorithms, chance, and luck. Still, betting on streaks, i.e. following the winning hand, has been proven to work from time to time. These trends are visually appealing and have no basis in reality, but could be a good choice if you are uncertain as to which bet to go with. Just make sure not to get too caught up in them since they can drag you down and give false hope. Never rely solely on patterns because it is still a game of chance. Fun and psychological guidance is all they should be.

Last but not least, always set a budget and make sure to stick to it. This is usually done by introducing limits on the money you spend, or the time you devote to your sessions. Baccarat is very fast-paced and therefore easy to get hooked on. Excitement is high and contagious so setting a limit for how much you are willing to wager and lose in a session is prevalent. Win or lose, once you reach your budget it is best to step away and come back another time. Doing it like this ensures that you are never chasing losses and spending money beyond your means.