Online Baccarat is a card game that oozes sophistication, conjuring images of men in tuxedos and women in posh evening gowns laying down chips while the dealer distributes cards. However, don’t let the game’s mystique put you off; it is actually easy to learn and very fun to play.
The goal of the game is to get a hand value as close to nine (or, in the case of a tie, as close to zero) as possible. To do this, the player and banker each receive two cards, which are then compared to one another. The one with the highest value wins. While this sounds simple enough, the rules can seem complicated and confusing to a first-timer. But don’t worry – we will walk you through all of the ins and outs of this thrilling game.
Unlike other casino games, the house edge in Baccarat is relatively low, at around 1%. This has led to higher table minimums for the game, in order to help offset the casinos’ cost of running the game. While this may not be exciting for players, it is a necessary measure to protect against gamblers making bad strategy choices that will wring their wallet dry.
Baccarat is also a very fast game, which means that you will need to manage your bankroll carefully. It is best to start small, and to always bet within your budget. Betting large sums right out of the gate is a sure way to lose money quickly, so it is crucial to start off slow and work your way up. Additionally, be sure to always have a plan in place for when you run out of money.
Another tip for maximizing your chances of winning is to always bet on the Banker. While this might not be the most exciting choice to make, it is by far the best option for your chance of winning. Casinos are aware of this, which is why they offer a 0.95:1 payout for Banker wins (versus 1:1 for Player).
While it may be tempting to try and look for patterns in the results of previous hands, this is not a good idea in baccarat. In fact, trying to predict the outcome of a future hand is called the Gambler’s Fallacy and will only lead to more losses. This is also why standard casino betting systems, such as the Martingale system, are not recommended for this game.
There are a few other interesting side bets that can be placed on baccarat, though they vary by establishment and platform. The most common is the Player Pair bet, which wagers that the player and banker will have identical cards on the deal. This pays at 11:1 odds. Lastly, the Tie bet is available as well and is wagered that either the player or banker will have a pair on the deal. This is not offered at every site and pays at 5:1 odds.