If you would like to learn more about playing the game of baccarat and finding the best sites to play this at, then you’ve come to the right place. This guide will provide you with plenty of information about the card game, as well as details of the top sites that feature various baccarat games in their lobbies. So, join us as we have a closer look at the game of baccarat.
Baccarat has existed since the 19th century in France, with people commonly playing it in private gaming rooms during the Napoleonic era. Dating back to this time period is Baccarat Banque, although other variations of it have sprung up throughout the proceeding years.
Of all card games, the baccarat table is probably the easiest to understand, with just three sections to bet on. The idea behind the game is to decide which hand is going to be the better one or if a tie is going to occur. So, you place a bet at the bottom on your hand, a bet at the top if you think the dealer hand will be better or a bet in the centre for a tie result. This is all clearly marked on the table, making things simple.
In baccarat, cards have a point value. The 2 through to 9 cards are worth face value, the 10 through to K have zero points and aces are worth a single point. After you bet on your favoured outcome, two cards are dealt to each of the hands – the player hand and the bank hand. You will win if the hand you have wagered on is closest to 9 in total. If any hand should score higher than 9, the score is adjusted by deducting 10 from the total.
A number of versions of baccarat have sprung up over the years, presenting slightly alternate rules and gameplay for players to experience. These include games like Punto Banco, Baccarat Banque and Chemin de Fer. So, how do these options differ from one another?
One of the top providers of baccarat in its live format is Evolution Gaming. It is due to this brand that variations like Speed Baccarat have been introduced to the world. Other live dealer providers include Pragmatic Play Live, NetEnt, Microgaming and Rival Gaming.
The primary difference with playing these game versions is that you get to experience how it would feel in a live casino. So, you get to engage with the dealer and with other players through live chat. Of course, the betting timeframe in all live baccarat casino online games has a limit on it, whereas if you are playing a standard RNG version, you would not have that restriction.
You can also access baccarat in a mobile format, meaning that if you possess a smartphone or a tablet, then you can play games from anywhere. This is possible from an iOS or Android device, and some Windows handsets also provide you with access to such. Some of the best online baccarat games can be accessed in instant play mode, while others can be downloaded via the casino’s app to your handset.
Mobile versions of baccarat will automatically adhere to your device screen and require you to engage in touchscreen activity. However, you can still access live casino versions of baccarat, meaning that you can have the land-based casino experience from anywhere. Today, most versions of mobile baccarat are compatible with touchscreen devices, as they have been designed in HTML5 format.
It is important to take note of certain tips when accessing online baccarat. The main thing to remember is to never make the “tie” bet, because it so very infrequently occurs. Betting on the banker or player hand provide much lower house edges.
Placing a bet on the banker hand is the best route to take, as this one will win just over 50% of the time. Even though there is a 5% commission on this, you should continue betting on the banker until it loses in most circumstances. It is also advisable to avoid playing mini baccarat, as this can be a dangerous route to take with players dealing cards.
Money management in baccarat is also quite critical. This is true with all online casino games, but this table game requires a little more thinking, just so that you know how much your outlay of funds is and what to expect as a return.
There are some basic strategies that are ideal to employ when you opt to play any form of baccarat. For example, you should always check the odds of the game and remember that the normal commission for the banker is 5%. Any baccarat website taking more than this should be avoided. Normal odds on a player stand at 1:1.
If you don’t want to pay the 5% commission on a banker hand win, then you may wish to stick with betting on the player hand. Many people suggest using the Martingale number system for betting on the player, doubling up after each loss until a win is eventually hit. Of course, it’s always good to keep your bets low, especially if you’re a beginner. Be sure to quit when you’re ahead and play short baccarat sessions, too.
💸 How Many Betting Positions on a Baccarat Table?
There are three betting positions to choose from on a table – banker, tie and player.
🆚 What Is the Difference between Mini Baccarat and Regular Baccarat?
The table is generally smaller in size and fewer players can access a game. Furthermore, the dealer is always the banker in mini baccarat, while the banker passes from player to player in the standard version.
🐲 What Is a Dragon Bonus in Baccarat?
This operates as a side bet that pays out when your hand wins by a large margin or it is a natural winner. The highest payout that you can obtain from this is 30:1, and that is for a non-natural that wins by nine points.
🃏 What Is the Difference between Online and Offline Baccarat?
Generally speaking, the prime difference between playing this table game online as opposed to offline is that you do not get to have the experience alongside other players. That is, unless you are accessing live baccarat, and even then, you can only engage with others through live chat. Plus, due to this, regular baccarat doesn’t see the banker position change from player to player online because, as noted, you are accessing it alone. So, the banker remains as the dealer.
⭐ Which Is the Best Baccarat Format to Access for Beginners?
Punto Banco is probably the best option to go for if you are new to the game of baccarat. It is the version that is least complicated and in most circumstances, you should be able to pick up the rules of the game by playing this variation.