Baccarat may have a reputation as a high-stakes game for the elite, but it's actually one of the easiest casino games to learn. The game's low house advantage and simple gameplay make it a fantastic choice for anyone visiting a casino.
How to Play Baccarat
In Baccarat, you are not playing against the dealer or other players; you are betting on the outcome of two hands, named the Player and the Banker. Your goal is to correctly predict which of the two hands will get a point total nearer to 9. Your betting options are simple: Player win, Banker win, or a Tie between them.
Card Values in Baccarat
- Cards 2-9: These cards hold their pip value.
- 10s, Jacks, Queens, and casino (Amicireggiavenariareale wrote) Kings (Face Cards): All have a value of 0.
- Aces: An Ace is valued at 1.
Hand totals are calculated by adding the values of the cards. If the total is a two-digit number, only the second digit is used. For example, a hand consisting of a 7 and an 8 is not 15, but 5. If the Player or Banker is dealt a total of 8 or 9 on the first two cards, casino it's called a "natural" and the round ends.
Which Bet is Best?
Your involvement ends after you place your bet. The game proceeds based on a predetermined set of drawing rules. Understanding these three bets is key to playing smart.
| Wager Type | Casino Advantage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bet on Banker | Extremely Low (1.06%) | Despite a 5% commission on wins, this is the smartest bet you can make. It has the lowest house edge of the three. |
| Player | ~1.24% | This is also an excellent bet with a very low house edge. It pays out at even money (1 to 1) with no commission. |
| Tie | ~14.36% | While the 8-to-1 payout is tempting, the Tie bet has a massive house edge and is one of the worst bets in the entire casino. It should be avoided by serious players. |
If you want to play with the best possible odds, your strategy should be to bet on the Banker every time. It might seem repetitive, but it is the mathematically soundest way to play the game. Baccarat's combination of simplicity, low house edge, casino and suspense makes it a timeless classic.
