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The tingle of playing table games, especially baccarat, is unmatched in the gambling industry. In land-based casinos, baccarat attracts large crowds of people. That alone showcases its pristineness and popularity among players globally. We’ve all watched the classic James Bond film’ Casino Royale.’ The game in the movie is baccarat, and that also exhibits the universality of the classic table game.

Therefore, it’s the most played table game since it’s easy, and a novice can play with slight experience. Even with little panache, you can win big at a baccarat table if you’re lucky enough. However, there are basic playing rules that you need to understand before playing. That will come later in this article guide.

Over the years, there has been a steady rise in the launch of online casino platforms in the iGaming industry. While that’s excellent in the gambling niche, players have an uphill task of hunting down the best casinos offering baccarat. But we’re saving you that hassle with our expert recommendations. Keep reading to discover more about playing baccarat.

What is Baccarat?

Baccarat is a table casino game played with 8 or 9 decks of playing cards. Players play against the dealer who represents the banker. Bets are placed at the start of each round with players betting on their own hand, the hand of the banker, or on a tie. The way to win baccarat is to have a hand that adds up closest to 9 in value by the end of the game. Face cards Jack, Queen, King, and 10 are all valued at 0 with Ace cards valued at 1.

Each hand starts with two cards and the value of the two cards are added up to a maximum value of 9. If the player’s cards go beyond 9 in value then 10 is taken away from the total amount and the rest of the value remains. Values that are 5 or below draw a third card that they add to the final value of the hand. If the value of the three cards is more than 10 then the player takes away 10 from the total.

The winner is then decided based on who has a closer value to 9 at the end of the game. If the player or banker hand value is 8 or 9 with their first two cards then that is an automatic win. A tie happens when both the player and the banker have the same hand value at the end of the round.

Where Did Baccarat Come From?

Baccarat actually dates back to the 1400s in Italy, where it was called “baccara,” meaning zero. This made sense because all the face cards and 10s have a value of zero points in the game. As “baccara” made its way to France, it adopted the French name it has today: baccarat. Today, you can play baccarat at some of the most exciting casinos around the world.

A Brief History of Baccarat

Baccarat’s origin is mysterious. Legend has it that its origin dates back to 14th century Italy. Some say the game’s origin goes way back to 14th century France. Researchers also claim baccarat was invented in ancient China from the tile game Pai Gow, which means ‘make nine,’ in English. Others claim an Italian croupier, Felix Falguierein, innovated the game.

However shaky the history, most historians come to a stalemate that baccarat’s origin is from Italy and France. The game’s also known as ‘Baccara,’ an ancient French and Italian term meaning ‘nothing’ or ‘zero.’ Interestingly, the word ‘Baccara’ symbolizes the value of the picture cards and all tens in the game, which equates to zero. Hence, the widely accepted baccarat.

From Italy, the game quickly advanced in France, becoming popular among France’s elite gamblers. In France, amongst the wealthy nobles, the game was referred to as Chemin de Fer. Baccarat quickly spread from there to Great Britain and the USA. In North America, it’s where it became most favored, going by the name Punto Banco. Despite having a somewhat unclear history, we can all agree the game is thrilling, fun, and has some of the best odds. Probably the reason why high rollers fancy the game.

How Does Baccarat Work?

If you’re looking for an exciting way to gamble online and make real money, you should try Baccarat. Although it’s a simple card game, it can be thrilling, primarily online. To get started, here’s a quick guide on how baccarat works.

Baccarat is a game typically played with two hands, the banker’s hand and the player’s hand. Before the game starts, players place a bet on either hand they think will win. 

Players can also bet on a tie – when the banker’s and player’s hands match. Baccarat’s goal is to get the closest to nine points. Both hands are then dealt two to three cards to start the game.

The Rules of Baccarat

Baccarat is a card game played with six, seven, or eight standard decks of 52 cards, each. The goal here is to correctly predict which of the two hands will win the round, or if it will be a tie.

The value of the hand is the sum of its cards, but with only the rightmost digit being taken into account. So, for example, a hand made out of 10 and 6 is only worth six points, while a 2 and a 7 in the same hand are worth 9 points, making it the stronger hand.

Cards ranging from 2 to 9 have their face value, the number shown on the actual cards. For 10, Jack, Queen, and King, each card is worth 0 points, while the Ace is one point.

Baccarat Rules for Beginners

One of the best things about baccarat is that it’s simple and easy to learn. There aren’t lots of complex rules. In fact, you could technically play it without knowing the rules at all and learn as you go.

In baccarat, all you have to do is bet on the outcome. The dealer will do the rest. Here’s how a typical game goes.

• You place your bet on the outcome: Player, Banker, or Tie.
• The dealer deals the hands: two cards for Player and two for Banker.
• The rule of who wins baccarat is this: the hand closest to nine wins.
• The winnings are double what you bet.

That’s the basic order of gameplay and how to determine who wins. Now, let’s look at some other baccarat rules for beginners you need to remember.

• A 5% commission applies to winning Banker hands.
• When any hand is worth double digits, the first digit is dropped.
• If Player or Banker are dealt 8 or 9, they both stand.
• If the Player gets five or less, she’ll get another card.
• If the player stands, the Banker hits on 5 or less.

Those are the simple rules of baccarat. Remember, you don’t need to memorize everything before you play. The best way to learn is to make a few bets at the top baccarat sites and learn as you go along.

Baccarat Dealing Rules

Each hand starts with two cards and additional cards can be dealt from the deck. The dealing rules are a bit complex:

• If the player total is 5 or less, the dealer adds a third card to the hand.
• If the player total is 6 or 7, no additional cards are required.
• When the player stands, the banker receives another card on 5 or less and stands on 6 or 7.
• If the banker total is 2, 1 or 0 from the first two cards, the dealer adds a third card to the hand regardless of the player’s hand.
• If the banker total is 3 and the player’s third card is not an 8, the banker receives another card.
• When the banker total is 4 and the player’s third card is 2-7, the hand receives another card.
• When the banker total is 5 and the player’s third card is 4-7, another card is drawn.
• If the banker total is 6 and the player’s third card is 6 or 7, another card is added to the banker hand.
• If the banker total is 7 from the first two cards, the hand stands.

How to Play Baccarat – Step-by-Step Guide

Regardless if you are playing in a land-based casino or online, you just have to follow these simple steps:

Joining a Baccarat Table

Find a baccarat table with an empty seat in the casino and sit down. For online baccarat, search for the game in the casino of your choice and start it up. Baccarat is also called Punto Banco, which is by far the most popular variant of the game.

Placing the Bets

Select the preferred size of the casino chips and then place them on the corresponding bet that you wish to make.

Dealing the Cards

After placing the bet, the dealer will deal the cards based on the baccarat rules. For online gaming, you will have to press the “Deal” button to start the action.

Paying the Winners

Once the hands are determined, the dealer will pay the winnings to the players and a new round is ready to begin. It really is that simple.

Most Popular Baccarat Variants

Thanks to the rise of live dealer casinos, there are now various new and interesting baccarat variants that take this classic card game and give it new twists. I recommend trying the following baccarat variants.

Lightning Baccarat – Baccarat payouts are relatively tame compared to some other casino games, but Lightning Baccarat changes all of that. Lightning Cards in the deck provide multipliers of up to 8x. These multipliers can combine for massive payouts.

Speed Baccarat – Want to play a bare-bones game without all of the ceremony and extra entertainment? Speed Baccarat is a live dealer variant that squeezes twice the action into your gaming experience. Whereas a normal game takes 48 seconds, Speed Baccarat rounds take 27 seconds.

Baccarat Salon Prive – If you’re a high-stakes player, Salon Prive Baccarat by Evolution is the game for you. You’ll enter a plush private studio and play with a dealer just for you at a private table.

Baccarat Payouts

Baccarat payouts are some of the most attractive online casino real money games. Baccarat is simple to understand and play, although the payouts can vary hugely from one form to another.

The basics of Baccarat are simple: you can bet on the banker, the player, or a tie. Winning wagers on the banker and player receives a payout of 1-1 (you get your original bet back plus an additional amount for winning). Winning chances on the tie bet usually receive an 8-1 payout.

If you’re looking to maximize your winning potential, then learning the ins and outs of each type of baccarat is important.

Conclusion

Baccarat is an elegant and classy table game with massive popularity among gamblers globally. It’s the most straightforward table game you will ever find. With only three types of bets; punto, banco, or tie, your chances of winning are exponential.

Using our handy tips and following basic baccarat rules and strategies, you can increase your bankroll while having fun. If you have a gambling problem, our casinos provide links where you can get free help. Also, they enable you to set deposit limits and self-exclude from gaming for your desired period. Therefore, register at any of our top-ranked casino platforms for an exquisite baccarat experience.