Baccarat
Did you know that in contrast to other popular casino games, in which games are named after the highest card combination, the name ‘Baccarat’ actually denotes the worst hand, which is worth zero? Quite quirky when you consider that the game is held in such high regard the world over. With the advent of online gaming, Baccarat is now available to just about everybody. Take a trip through Baccarat history, discover its origins, objectives and game rules and learn the how to’s of placing a bet. All this and more below.
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Page Topics Baccarat - Origins, Esteem and Brief History
James Bond’s game of choice, Baccarat, originally introduced from Italy to France in the 15th century was quickly accepted by the French nobility and regarded as a game of esteem, sophistication and prestige among the aristocracy – a stigma that still applies to the game today. In contrast to other popular casino games, in which games are named after the highest card combination, the name ‘Baccarat’ is atypical as it denotes the worst hand and is worth zero.
With the establishment of casinos in France, the then elite game of Baccarat made its way into the mainstream and the net was cast to a wider demographic of people drawn to play Baccarat. Due to the games overwhelming popularity in France, variations of the Baccarat have largely been shaped by the French version. The game bears a striking resemblance to Faro and Basset.
To play Baccarat in a land casino is still today considered elite in gambling circles today which is often why Baccarat players are cordoned off into their own sections, reserved for high rollers with considerable bankrolls. Thankfully for the masses, playing Baccarat online eliminates the qualification generally required for land casino play. Small bets are totally acceptable when you play Baccarat online and exorbitant bankrolls need not apply.
Accordingly, the most popular version of Baccarat is the French, known as ‘chemin de fer’. The French version has also proved popular in the UK, where certain rules were altered and varied and the game was then referred to as ‘European Baccarat’. The English version then went on to gain popularity in both South Africa and the United States.
Baccarat and variations thereof are hugely popular the world over and the interest extends to both casino Baccarat and Baccarat online.
Baccarat – Objectives, Card Values and Quirks
As opposed to other card games, Baccarat may first strike some apprehension into the hearts of the novice card players and casino debutants. Rest assured with some practice and the following explanation, both your knowledge and game can swiftly improve.
Initially confusing to new players is that in Baccarat there are only two hands – the player's hand and the banker's, but that doesn’t mean that only one player can bet every round. Players can resolve to bet on the banker's hand or they can choose to place bets on their own hands.
The game of Baccarat is has a high profile in both land casinos and online casinos. It’s objective and main purpose is to be dealt a hand that totals 9 or as close as possible to 9.
Let’s Take a Closer Look at Baccarat Card Values:
All face cards – Kings, Queens, Jacks and 10’s are worth 0. Aces have a value of one. Cards from two to nine retain their values - simple. Refer to the card valuation chart below for quick and easy reference:
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| King | 0 |
| Queen | 0 |
| Jack | 0 |
| 10’s | 0 |
| Ace | 0 |
| 2 through to 9 | Face value |
Akin to Blackjack, where the goal is to reach 21 or as close to as possible, the goal in Baccarat is to reach or come as close to 9. The main difference with Baccarat is that you can not bust. In this case, when your hand exceeds 9, you drop the 10 values of the hand you’re playing.
For instance, a hand consisting of 2 and 4 is worth 6 (2 + 4 = 6). A hand consisting of 6 and 7 is worth 3 (6 + 7 = 13 = 3) - however, as the hand exceeds 10, the first digit is dropped. A hand consisting of 4 and 6 is worth zero, or Baccarat (4 + 6 = 10 = 0). The highest hand score that can be achieved is 9 (from a 4 and 5, 10 and 9, or Ace and 8, etc).
| Card Combinations | Hand Worth |
|---|---|
| Cards 2 and 4 | 6 |
| Cards 6 and 7 | 13 – drop the 10 value becomes 3 |
| Cards 4 and 6 | Zero or Baccarat as the value of 10 becomes zero. |
| Cards 4 and 5 | 9 |
| Cards 10 and 9 | 9 |
| Cards Ace and 8 etc. | 9 or a ‘Natural’ |
After your initial two cards have been dealt, you can choose to draw additional cards in order to get closer to a total of 9.
How To’s of Baccarat Play – Rules, Guidelines for 3 Different Bets and Understanding Play
Like with most casino games, players first need to place their bets. In Baccarat, there are 3 different types of bets a player can place:
- Play bet: Pays even money on a win
- Banker bet: Wins more often but casino takes a cut of the winnings
- Tie bet: usually pays 8:1 but may differ from casino to casino
Once all bets are on the table, players are dealt two cards and the game of Baccarat actually begins.
Exclusively in Baccarat, ten-value cards are reduced to zero value and aces are worth one. All other cards retain their designated card values. If a hand totals more than 10 points, simply subtract the 10. What you’re left with is the Baccarat point value. Example 8 and 7 total 15, drop the 10 value and you are left with 5 – the Baccarat hand value.
A hand that totals 9, a ‘natural’ automatically wins. Unlike Blackjack in which you lose if you bust, a player who has a hand of say 5 and 8 ultimately has a Baccarat total of 3, as the 10 value is dropped from the hand. In such a case, the player can draw additional cards to get closer to or hit 9.
Essentially in a game of Baccarat, you are betting on which side will win. The object of the game is to predict which hand will total closer to 9 – the banker’s or the player’s.
You can wager on the banker's, the player's hand or on a tie which results when the player and banker hands have equal point values. When a hand results in a tie, both banker and player bets neither win nor loose. Both are given back.
Winning bets pay 1:1 or ‘even money’. In the case the banker wins, the house takes 5% commission. Ties pay 8 to 1.
An interesting observation is that banker bets tend to win more often and it’s important to note that the casino takes a percentage of every winning banker bet. For winning player bets, you can thankfully expect to be paid even money.v
Popular Variations of Baccarat – Guide to Differences, Exceptions and Pay Outs
There are several variations of Baccarat in circulation and among the most popular are ‘Mini Baccarat’, ‘Chemin de fer’- the French version, and ‘Baccarat banque’.
Mini Baccarat
The main difference of mini Baccarat as opposed to its original form is that bet limits are considerably lower. Minimum bets range from $2 to $5 and maximum bets are $500.
This has no doubt achieved greater exposure for the collective game and made it accessible to players from a wider demographic. Online casinos have undoubtedly eliminated much of the privileged and exclusive feel of the game by offering online Baccarat; however, the elite air of the game can still be felt at land casinos and in the graphics used by some online casinos.
Essentially played according to the same rules as the original Baccarat game, Mini Baccarat does encompass some minor difference. The mini Baccarat table is smaller in size than the original and is manned by one single dealer who handles the cards. Layout of the table is much the same wherein positions are marked with the three betting options – tie, bank and player.
Chemin de fer
Played entirely in French, Chemin de fer is, as the name suggests, the version most played in France
The rules of Chemin De Fer stipulate that to bet on the Player or on the Bank, you must actually be one of them. Players wager bets themselves with no involvement from the Casino as such. The casino does provide a Croupier to oversee the game and ensure rules are followed and the game flows and in turn collects a percentage commission for its services of 5% on all winning bank hands.
Players take turns as Banker and cover all losing bets with their own money while holding this position. On the upside, the Banker collects all winning bets of the bank.
In contrast to traditional Baccarat, this variation has more flexible third-card-rules wherein the Banker and the Player have the option of deciding whether to accept a third card or not.
Baccarat en banque
One of the most well known European variations of original Baccarat, Baccarat en banque uses only 3 decks of cards in the shoe. Otherwise, the same card rules apply as in Chemin de fer.
The position of bank is played by the player who is willing to wager the highest bet until they are beaten. Players are only able to wager a maximum bet up to the amount the banker is risking.
The order of play is to deal a hand to the bank and two hands to the players. Players can assume the position of Banker consecutively 3 times and challenge the Banker. In the case the Banker loses a 3rd time, he is not permitted to continue. If a player is successful in taking the bank, player and banker proceed to change positions at the table. Due to this physical element of the game, it is largely unavailable for Baccarat online.
The purpose remains the same - get as close to 9 as possible.
Baccarat Strategy: 3 Basic Tactics for 3 Basic Bets
As we have established, the game of Baccarat is one of the easiest casino games to learn. Advantageous for the player is that the house has most probably the lowest edge in the casino and therefore betting strategies can work relatively quickly as the game depends only on what transpires in one hand.
The simplicity of the Baccarat game lies within the minimalism of the available bets.
- Banker Bet
- Player Bet
- Tie Bet
Below we deconstruct the 3 bet types and offer strategy on each.
The Banker Bet:
Elementary Baccarat strategy will tell you the same thing – the safest bet is without doubt the Baker bet. This is because the casino edge on Baccarat Banker bets is around 0.9% meaning that if you bet on the banker winning the hand, odds are higher than if you bet on the player winning. This is why in a Baccarat game including Baccarat games online, a 5% cut is taken from the winnings. This cut is called the ‘vigorish’.
Let’s put this simple strategy into play:
For instance- you bet $100 on Banker, and win.
Instead of winning a full $200 as you would on a $100 player bet. Your winnings would be reduced to $195 according to the vigorish.
Despite winning being levied with the vigorish, the house edge is so low that it still makes sense as an overall strategy.
The Player Bet
In a player bet, vigorish does not apply, so all winnings are yours to keep in total but factor that the house edge is higher - usually around 1.3%.
Some players argue that there is a natural inclination to place player bets, a kind of residual response to having played Blackjack and reminiscent of single player, multi player and private group options.
With any of these 3 playing options, you are dealt a hand and as a result, should be familiar with the feeling of betting on banker. One way to eliminate or lessen this feeling is to simply play Baccarat. Practice with Baccarat online and familiarise yourself with all 3 bet options and test strategies.
The Tie Bet:
The third betting alternative and the hardest bet to win for its lack of frequency, the tie bet is notorious both for being a bad bet and for the high casino edge it attracts - 5%.
What makes the elusive tie bet so attractive are the payouts. 9:1 on a winning bet.
For instance, you bet $100 on a tie and the hand results in an even player and banker hand, you garner a payout of $900. Hard to get but also hard to resist trying to.
Baccarat Terminology – A Glossary of Terms Specific to the Baccarat Game
Note that due to the French origins of Baccarat, much of the terminology is therefore in the French language.
Baccarat
The worst possible hand which yields a total of zero
Banker Bet
Placing a bet on the Baker’s hand
Player Bet
Placing a bet on the player’s bet
Baccarat en Banque
A variation of the orginal game wherein there are 2 player positions and the casino oversees all bets.
"Banco!"
The expression can be heard when a player decides to bet his entire money. Also means bank.
Carte
Used to request a card from the dealer.
Coup
A round of Baccarat.
Croupier
The dealer.
Chemin-de-fer
The European variation of the game wherein one player is acts as bank, deals all cards and takes all bets. Meaning in French is ‘railroad’.
Face Cards
Jack, Queen or King of any suit.
House Edge
A term that denotes casinos edge
Le Grande
The best hand, a natural - 9.
Mini-Baccarat
A variation wherein a smaller table is used and uses one dealer instead of 2 and a caller.
Muck
Eight card decks used in Baccarat, 416 cards in total.
Natural
The best hand and when two cards total 9.
Palette
Device used to move cards on the table.
Petite
Card total of 8
Shooter
Another term for the bank.
Standoff
Player and Banker tie
Tie Bet
To place a bet on a player dealer tie.
.Places to Play Baccarat and Get a Feel for the Game
EuroGrand:
Clear, high quality graphics and a strong dose of European flair, this online casino is flamboyant yet chic and one of the classiest places to place your Baccarat bet online.
Downloads are swift and one thing I do rate alongside great graphics are the live audio sounds. They add an element of excitement to the game and the EuroGrand Baccarat table is no exception.
At the bottom right hand of every EuroGrand Baccarat game screen is located a menu with history, options and help. Prompts for basic strategy are issued and are beneficial tips for the novice Baccarat player.
Although EuroGrand only offer original Baccarat online, the table is large and clearly marked for easy identification of the 3 different bet types.
32Vegas:
Practice players or those playing for real money will appreciate the black and red colour scheme and clear graphics showcased on the 32Vegas Baccarat table. They are smooth and streamlined, just as a quality Baccarat online game should be.
Play Baccarat original and take the time to bring basic strategy to the table. If you’re a seasoned Blackjack player, the banker bet may go against the grind of your betting instincts, so use these opportunities to vary your bets and navigate your way around the table.
32Vegs is relaxed and does not intimate first time players, making it an ideal online place to play Baccarat minus the stigma associated with the game.
The download version is fast or you can play wherever you are with the Flash interface.
Prestige Casino:
It’s only apt that the game of Baccarat with its history and pedigree is showcased favorably by Prestige Casino.
At times, it is all about appearances and Prestige Casino keeps them up at their Baccarat table. The extra curve to the polished table adds the high roller air to the online gaming environment and will appeal to those seeking high end betting online. You can almost visualise the red rope around the Baccarat table, so if you want to add an element of sophistication to your games of Baccarat online, play at Prestige.
You can still practice basic strategy and improve your game here. Prompts and the help function do guide and assist in the basics of Baccarat play, but the real benefit lies in the site’s superior graphics. A game of online Baccarat just wouldn’t be complete without going that little bit extra in the aesthetic department and Prestige casino brings it to the table.
James Bond himself would play Baccarat at Prestige.
