Play Online Baccarat

Before we get to the main point of this guide, let's take a quick look at what makes baccarat such a unique casino game. For that, we need to rewind to 15th century Italy when an Italian gambler named Felix Falguiere came up with an idea for a game we now call baccarat (others claim it originated in France). That makes it one of the world's oldest casino games. Still, it hadn't gained popularity until the 19th century.

That's when French nobles started to play it, spreading the game across Europe. By the end of the century, live dealer baccarat found its way to the United States, although it hadn't become the big hit immediately. It wasn't until the 1950s that baccarat became a significant part of American casinos and, eventually, one of the most popular casino games.

Nowadays, there's a wide variety of baccarat games players can play. What's more, with the growing popularity of online casinos, more and more people discover what amazing game baccarat is. And that brings us to the next point.

Many people find baccarat complicated. However, in reality, it's actually a very straightforward game. In its simplest form, the objective of baccarat is to predict which player, between the banker and yourself, will score the hand with the highest value. In baccarat, this high total is 9, so you want to bet on the hand closest to this score without exceeding it.

There are only three different types of bets that need to be placed. These are betting on the Banker, the Player, or a tie. You can choose whichever hand you like. You do not have to bet on yourself to be the winner.

Another thing to keep in mind is the house edge. It indicates your chances of winning against the casino, so it's worth taking a moment to think about it before placing your bets. When it comes to baccarat, the house edge varies from a mere 1.01 to 15.75 percent. It all depends on the bet and the number of decks.

Before we get too far into how to play baccarat online, you need to understand the setup and the card values. In baccarat, the 10s and face cards are all worth zero. This means that a hand with a king, 2 and 9, will be valued at 11. With the rule that there are no double figures in baccarat, this then gives a hand a value of 1. A hand that's made up of a 4 and 6 will therefore be worth zero. It's worth pointing out here that the name baccarat is actually the word for zero - the worst possible hand.

When it comes to the other card values, everything is a little more straightforward. An Ace is worth just 1, and the cards 2 to 9 are all worth their face value. Once you get this sorted, playing baccarat is not difficult at all.

A game starts by you placing your bets (on a player, banker, or tie). Then, the cards are dealt. The player and banker receive two cards (coup). Following the initial deal, players place another bet and reveal their hands. If the dealer or player has a hand that totals eight or nine, they automatically win. Such a hand is called a "natural."

At this point, you can get a third card. However, in contrast to blackjack, you do not have any say in this. Instead, whether you are given a third card is following the baccarat rule that if the player's two-card value is five or under, another card is given. If the value is over 5, then you will stick. The same rule applies to the dealer.

Once both hands have been finished, the value of the hands is compared, and the hand with the value closest to 9 will win.

There are actually a number of different ways that you can win in online baccarat. These include:

• Placing a bet on the Banker and that hand wins. This is an even-money bet but often there is a 5% commission to the house that will be subtracted from the winnings.
• Placing a bet on the Player and that hand wins. Again, even money, but no commission is taken.
• Placing a bet on a tie and this is the outcome. This is an 8 to 1 payout.
• The outcome is a tie, but you did not bet on it. In this instance, your bet will be returned to you in full. You won't win anything extra, but you don't lose either.

Now that you're familiar with the general rules, you can get started with actually playing baccarat for real money at online casinos. Here's a quick guide on how the game usually plays out:

1. 1. Place your bets by moving your mouse to move the chips onto your desired bet
2. 2. Bet on the bank, the player or on a tie
3. 3. Hit shuffle
4. 4. The cards will be dealt out
5. 5. Click to stick or hit depending on the cards you have in your hand
6. 6. Wait for the final outcome and payout

Many casino players tend to avoid live baccarat because there are many additional rules in place when dealing the third card out. However, you don't need to think about these things when playing baccarat online as the computer program will do it for you. Still, as a rule of thumb, you should at least understand the basics if you want to stand a chance and win some real money when playing baccarat at online casinos.

A tie is announced should the value be the same on each end. However, when neither party has reached a tie, or the hand is declared neutral, a third card needs to be dealt. There are very specific rules attached to third-card deals, and it can only occur when:

• A hand is declared neutral — the first card is an 8 or 9.
• A players’ hand value is less than or equal to 5.
• A player refuses a third card, then the bank’s hand will stand on 6, but will draw a third card on 5 or less.
• The bank’s total is 2 or less, irrespective of the player’s third card.
• The bank’s total is 3, unless the player’s third card is 8.
• The bank’s total is 4, unless the player’s third card is 0, 1, 8 or 9.
• The bank’s total is 5, and the player’s third card is 4, 5, 6 or 7.
• The bank’s total is 6, and the player’s third card is 6 or 7.
• The bank stands on a total of 7.

Now that you've got the hang of the basic rules, let's take a quick look at some many baccarat options you can find online. Each of these has been developed in different parts of the world and has slightly different rules.

Punto Banco

This is one of the most popular versions of baccarat and is commonly found online both in virtual and live dealer form. In a land-based setting, punto banco can accommodate the largest number of players, with 14 participants being the maximum. This version plays with six to eight decks, with the dealer doing all the shuffling and dealing. As with other versions, the player cannot choose whether to accept a third card. This is dealt with anyway. Unlike other baccarat variants, it comes with a fixed banker who controls most of the gameplay.

Chemin De Fer

This is the French version of baccarat. What differentiates it from other variants is that it is played with only six decks of cards. All the players take it in turns to be the banker, which means chemin de fer needs a little more player participation. Cards in this game are all dealt face down rather than face up, as is the case in other variants. Finally, the chance to go first is given to the player who makes the biggest bet. The primary objective remains the same, though. Still, chemin de fer one of the least commonly played variants online, despite being the favorite baccarat variant of no other than James Bond.

Baccarat Banque

In this version of baccarat, a player with the highest stake takes on the role of dealer. Unlike chemin de fer, there is no swapping of roles — this player will remain the dealer for the whole game. Baccarat Banque also uses fewer decks than other versions. The gameplay is also slightly different. You still need to reach 9, but the banker is dealt only one hand, with players getting two. What's more, players can't bet on the banker. Instead, they need to pick the player who they think will win.

Mini Baccarat

As the name suggests, this is just a mini version of the game. In a live dealer baccarat game, this variant only requires one dealer and banker and accommodates only seven players. One of the attractive aspects of this version, though, is that it has low bet rates. This makes mini baccarat a good option for new online casino players or those with a limited budget.

In this technological age, there are now options to play baccarat in virtual form and also in a live dealer setting. Generally, these two versions of online baccarat are very similar. However, playing a virtual baccarat game usually comes with lower betting options. In contrast, live baccarat is better suited to players with larger bankrolls, want to socialize and make their online casino experience more realistic.

Virtual games are also super secure and run using RNGs (random number generators) to ensure the game is fair. Of course, live dealer baccarat online is also fair as a real dealer organizes the play. They are highly trained and monitored by pit bosses, but there is room for human error here.

Another point in favor of virtual baccarat games is that you can get through numerous hands in a short space of time. For example, virtual games can be cranked up to 200 hands in an hour, whereas a live dealer game will usually average 40.

However, if it's the thrill of the land-based casino you're after, then a live game is better. There you can chat with the dealer and other players. Better yet, it's always possible to find a seat at the table, something not always possible in a land-based setting.

It goes without saying that picking the right strategy is a must when playing any online casino game. When it comes to baccarat, you can choose between two main systems - pattern and betting. The first focuses on anticipating the cards' order, with the latter prioritizing maximizing wins and minimizing losses. Here are the most popular strategies to try when playing baccarat online:

Pattern Systems

Pattern systems can be divided into two approaches. One follows the rule that a player and banker win alternately, creating a certain "zigzag" pattern. The second approach is based on the thought that players and bankers take turns having winning streaks. In a live baccarat game, both these patterns occur alternately. Here's how to take advantage of that:

1. 1. The Flat Betting Strategy: Using a banker or player winning streaks, wait until the new game begins and bet only on a banker or player. Every time place the same amount. Don't overdo it, though. If you see the strategy doesn't work, switch it.
2. 2. Switch Combat Strategy: You can use the flat strategy to determine the "zigzag" pattern mentioned above. If you do, use it and make alternate bets.
3. 3. Break the Doubles Strategy: This approach is popular among more advanced baccarat players. The idea behind it is that shoes (box with cards) zigzag between players and bankers, with both having double-winning streaks. The goal is to determine where one streak ends and another begins.

Betting Systems

Baccarat betting systems divide into positive and negative progression. The rule is simple. In a positive approach, you increase your bet after each win and decrease it after loss. When using a negative progression, you do the exact opposite. Here are some basic betting strategies to try to make the most of your baccarat games:

1. 1. Martingale Strategy: This approach states that you should bet the same amount when you win and double it when you lose. The idea behind this is that a player will eventually win, covering their previous losses.
2. 2. Paroli Strategy: Playing baccarat online using the Paroli strategy is the least risky. All you need to do is decide on an initial bet and double it after each win. However, if you lose, you return to the original bet.
3. 3. 1-2-3-6 Strategy: This system works the same way as the Paroli strategy. You increase your bet after each win and reduce it to the original wager after loss. However, this time you increase it using the 1-2-3-6 system instead of doubling it.
4. 4. 1-2-3-4 System: It uses the same approach as the 1-2-3-6 strategy, only this time, you ought to follow the 1-2-3-4 system when increasing your bets.

While baccarat is relatively straightforward, there are several things you can do to help you get ahead. Besides understanding the rules and basic strategies, there are various tips you can follow to increase your chances of winning every time you play baccarat online.

Here's how you can win real money and make the most out of your baccarat game:

1. 1. Don’t ever make the “tie” betThis is because baccarat has a very low house edge of 14.4% on the tie bet, meaning you stand to lose 14.4 coins on every 100 coins wagered.
2. 2. Always bet the Banker firstThis is because the Banker wins just over 50% of the time.
3. 3. Keep betting with the BankerIf the Banker goes on a winning streak from your first bet, then keep going until it runs out.
4. 4. Wait one decision after the Banker takes a loss before betting againWhatever the outcome of that decision is, that is your bet. Bear in mind that if it’s a tie neither the Banker nor the player loses.
5. 5. Regard tie bets as non-betsTreat tie bets as if they don’t exist and continue to bet the dominant banker or player win in a sequence.
6. 6. When the Player loses to Banker, bet on the BankerDon’t wait out the next decision, when the Banker wins you bet the Banker immediately. When the Banker loses again, revert to step 4.
7. 7. Check the number of decks in playNote that the house edge is always directly proportional to the number of card decks put in the shoe, so technically, the fewer decks there are, the better your odds.
8. 8. Avoid taking side betsWhile there are a lot of different baccarat options with what appear to be great side bets with big odds, this is not always the case. In fact, the true odds are often higher than the real payouts.
9. 9. Be cautious when playing Mini-BaccaratIn the mini version of the game only the dealer deals, making the game much faster and increasing the number of decisions made per hour from roughly 40 to 200!
10. 10. Manage your BankrollHave a budgeted amount you want to play per session, and take decent breaks in-between. It's easy to lose yourself in a game when playing at online casinos, so make sure you keep a cool head.

As with any other online casino game, playing baccarat requires you to manage your bankroll responsibly. After all, it's your real money that's at stake. Fortunately, if you find it difficult, online baccarat casinos often offer great bonuses you can use. Often, they allow players to play several baccarat games without even spending a single buck, leaving your bankroll untouched.

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