Baccarat, also known as “Punto Banco”, is an old game that seems complex but really is as simple as throwing a coin in the air and betting on heads or tails. However, do you know how to play Casino Baccarat exactly?.
Its game has a great fondness among Asian players and fairly high bets are usually placed. The tables are very large and many admit more than ten players. Everyone plays seated. The margin of the house is small, which makes it a good choice.
The History of Baccarat
Before we jump to the steps to play Baccarat, it is a good idea for you to know the history behind this game.
Baccarat is a popular card game known as “Bond’s game” because it was used in many of James Bond’s adventures. It is one of the oldest casino games; its name comes from a word that sounds similar to “zero”; in this game, zero represents the value of tens, queens, jacks, and kings.
1. The Origin of Baccarat
The origins of this game are unclear. Legend has it that between 900 and 800 BC, the ancient Etruscans on the territory of modern-day Tuscany practiced elements of this game, which is thought to be the forerunner of today’s Baccarat, during one of their rites.
There is also a theory that its game was invented by Felix Falguierein, an Italian croupier and tarot specialist who lived in the fifteenth century.
Falguerein used his deck of tarot cards to play this game, which alluded to an old Etruscan ritual. The word “zero” is derived from an old Italian and French word that means “nothing.”
Because the value of all tens, jacks, queens, and kings in this game is zero, this name was chosen on purpose.
2. Baccarat to The World
Baccarat quickly spread to France, and some sources claim that it was born there. Prior to its huge popularity in casinos, however, it was a wealthy French nobility’s exclusive pastime. In France, this game was known as Chemin de fer, while in England, it was known as Punto Banco.
The game’s versions differ slightly depending on which country it was played in. When the English version of Baccarat arrived in the United States, it quickly became popular.
Today, the Punto Banco version of Baccarat is recognized in North America, and it is the simplest form of the game. It entails placing a wager on whether the player – Punto – or the bank – Banco – will win. It’s also possible that the game will end in a tie.
How to Play Casino Baccarat
The game opens with two players known as “Punto” (player in English) and “Banco” (banker in English) (banker).
The cards are placed in two different areas of the table. Players aren’t actually playing. They stake their money on one side or the other winning.
Cards can be dealt by turn-turn players or the dealer. Once the bets have been made, two cards are dealt to the Banker and two others to the Player.
The values of the cards are added together and whoever has the highest score, wins. The score of each card is its value, including the Ace, which is worth one point. Figures and sixteen have no value, add up to nothing and are ignored.
In addition, there is no concept of “going over” as in Blackjack. If the sum of the cards exceeds 10, then the digit of the tens is removed and only that of the units is taken. For example:
- 9 + 6 = 15 = 5. The 1 is removed
- 8+As = 9
- 7 + 3 = 10 = 0
- 6 + 6 = 12 = 2
- Q + 7 = 7
- K + 1 = 1
Therefore, the best possible play is 9.
If one of the two (Bench or Point) receives 8 or 9 points, it must be planted. Otherwise a complicated rule determines whether a third card has to be dealt or not. The player does not have to know this rule. The dealer does it.
1. House Margin and Payment
On how to play Casino Baccarat, these margins are for when baccarat is played with 8 decks. There is not much difference playing with less.
- If the Playerwins, the player is paid 1 to 1 his bet. The margin of the house is 1.24%
- If the Bankerwins, 1 to 1 is paid but the casino keeps a 5% commission that will be charged when the player leaves. In the end it is the same as paying 20 to 19. The margin of the house is 1.06% (including already the commission)
- If they tie, the player is paid 8 to 1. The margin of the house is 14.36%. A barbarity. NEVER bet on this
Considering what has been seen, it is clear that betting on Banking is the better option. Because the difference isn’t significant, you can bet on the Point from time to time to add variety to the game.
What gives the Banker the upper hand? Because he plays after the Player, and the rule for dealing his third card is based on the Player’s previous decisions.
It is again insisted that these rules to take third letter are already written and neither the Point nor the Bank can choose.
The dealer plays for both of them automatically, he doesn’t decide anything.However, in the past there were versions of Baccarat such as Chemin de Fer,which did allow the player to make decisions.
This is already very rare, although it seems that it still exists in some casinos also like the Martingale system.
2. The 1-3-2-4 Baccarat Strategy
You may wonder what the best strategies for Baccarat are? Okay, let’s take a closer look.
The 1-3-2-4 system is a gambling strategy developed by Fortune Palace in 2006 that works well on bets that are close to evens chance (i.e. 50/50, similar to a coin toss) – especially in Baccarat and Roulette.
In casino games, there are no true 50/50 chances (the Zero in Roulette, for example, means that even Red / Black isn’t quite 50/50), but some bets come close.
The 1-3-2-4 system is based on the popular 1-3-2-6 system, but it was developed to reduce win/loss variance by wagering only 4 units on the fourth bet, retaining an impressive win even if the last bet loses.
You could make a six-unit profit in the 1-3-2-6 by winning the first three bets (1, 3 and 2) and then risking it all on the last bet.
When we created the 1-3-2-4, we argued that if you keep two units from the six you’ve already won, the 1-3-2-4 will ensure an overall profit if the first two bets win.
3. The Variant of Baccarat
When you set the bankroll, it also has some variants for players to choose on how to play Casino Baccarat. Here are the explanations.
Mini Baccarat
As the name implies, this is a miniature version of the game. It is played around a table with only seven players rather than eight.
This version of the game is popular in America, and it is widely played across the country. Mini baccarat is played with only one croupier, as opposed to the three required in the larger version of the game.
He takes on the roles of both the dealer and the banker. Mini baccarat’s most appealing feature is its low bet rates. This is why the majority of inexperienced gamblers prefer this game.
The mini baccarat table in casinos is not roped off like the other versions of the game. Like other casino games, it is played out in the open.
Chemin de Fer
Although it is an Italian offshoot, Chemin de Fer is the French version of the game. When compared to other versions of baccarat, the game has minor differences.
The game is mostly played with six decks of cards rather than seven. The only thing the croupier does is shuffle the cards. The banker is the player who distributes the cards.
Every player takes turns being the banker. As a result, the players are more actively involved in the game. Instead of being dealt face up, the game cards are dealt face down.
The player decides whether or not to draw the third card. The player who places the largest bet will be given first priority to play, followed by the other players. This isn’t a popular game these days.
Baccarat Banque
Unlike chemin de Fer, where all players get a chance, in this version of the game, one of the players will play the role of the dealer for the duration of the game. This version of the game uses a smaller number of decks. Players can place large bets in this popular European version of the game.
4. The Collection
At the Baccarat tables, it’s common to see players taking notes on who wins and loses on papers provided by the casino. They do it to learn about trends and how to bet on them.
All this is absurd and all it does is slow down the game. Each game is independent of the previous one and it does not matter if the Player has won 7 games in a row so that he loses or wins the next one.
The good player will always bet on the Banker (or Player if he plays the version without commissions).In conclusion, learning how to play Casino Baccarat is quite easy, however, you should still pay attention to some points above to get your luck in the game.