Baccarat for dummies: history, rules and best practices
1 February 2024

Baccarat for dummies: history, rules and best practices

Simple rules, high stakes and fast rounds – this is why baccarat was once loved in aristocratic circles. In France, it was considered a luxurious entertainment for the elite of society. However, residents of England and the USA associated baccarat with gambling establishments and crime.

Presumably, entertainment was invented in the 15th century in Naples (Italy). The name comes from the Italian “baccarat”, which means “zero”. The choice is explained by the scoring rules: tens, jacks, queens, kings are equal to zero.

Baccarat continues to gain popularity thanks to movies. The Beatles in A Hard Day’s Night are surrounded by the UK gambling culture, and Sean Connery, as James Bond, beats Le Chiffre at the gaming table.

GENERAL RULES FOR PLAYING BACCARAT

A full game at home is possible using 52 cards. It gets more interesting when there are 6-8 decks involved in a hand.

A baccarat round ends in one of three events:

  1. The Banker’s Victory . Payout 0.95 to 1 (due to casino commission). The house edge is 1.23%.
  2. Player victory . Payout is 1 to 1. You cannot bet on the player and the banker at the same time. The house edge is 1.06%.
  3. Draw . The payout is 8 to 1. The house edge is 14.12%.

The casino can accept additional bets:

  • Banker couple . The payout is 11 to 1 if the banker’s hand wins with two cards of the same value.
  • Player pair . The payout is 11 to 1 if the player’s hand with two cards of the same value is stronger.

When the bets are made, the dealer begins the distribution: 2 cards are laid face down on the player’s and banker’s boxes. The outcome of the round is determined by the number of points of each hand. The goal of the game is to guess whose box will be closer to 9 points.

GENERAL RULES FOR PLAYING BACCARAT

baccarat scoring -подсчёт очков в баккаре

по номиналу -At par

Примеры -Examples

In baccarat there is a term “natural nine” which means an instant win in a hand. Also during the game you can observe the “natural eight”, when the sum of the points is 8. It loses to the nine, but turns out to be stronger than any other combinations.

Important ! Baccarat is a game of luck. Only the size and object of the bet depends on the table participant.

There is an interesting feature in the counting rules: if the sum of points is greater than or equal to 10, then the ten is not taken into account. This means that 13 is rounded to the nearest 3, and 19 is rounded to the nearest 9.

the left digit is discarded

левая цифра отбрасывается после подсчёта суммы очков -the left digit is discarded after the total score is calculated.

If the points of one of the boxes after the distribution do not exceed 5, the second stage comes into force. A player always receives a third card if his total score is less than 6.

For a banker, the rules are different. He claims the third card if the player failed to take it (6 or more points). The final choice to take/not take for the banker is determined by the decision table.

Important! In baccarat there is no concept of “busting”, as in blackjack, where a player loses due to exceeding the maximum allowed number of points.

принятие решения

Due to the table, the house gets an advantage against the player. Arbitrary decisions regarding the third card are not mathematically profitable for the casino.

In ancient baccarat, table participants played against each other. Everyone received 2 cards in their hands, and took a third at will. Players of modern baccarat are deprived of any interaction with cards and can only rely on the described rules.

Tips for Newbies

In baccarat you need to know how to distribute your bets. You shouldn’t do them for every hand; it’s better to have a bankroll in reserve for a series of 8–10 losses in a row.

The banker has a slight advantage since he is more often given additional cards. However, you should not bet against a box that is already on a winning wave.

The number of decks also affects the probability of a particular box winning. When playing with multiple decks, the odds are more balanced. But with one deck, the banker has the advantage.

You can record the point totals as the game progresses to understand whether big or small cards are coming. This will help you make a more informed bet, but it will not be possible to calculate the winning round.

It is also worth remembering that in the long term the player and banker’s chances of winning are almost equal – about 50% each. When you play long enough, the probability of winning evens out.

Banker bets

Banker bets

Beginners tend to bet on the banker, believing that this is the most profitable option. And they are absolutely right. A bet on the banker has a theoretical winning percentage of about 45%.

Although the casino sets a commission of 5% for bets on the banker, the actual winning percentage is close to 50%. This is because the rules of some baccarat variants offer a slight advantage to players when betting on the banker. Strategies primarily recommend making just such bets.

Betting on the banker is the most rational choice, as it minimizes the house edge and increases the chances of winning.

Bets per player

Bets per player

The banker has a statistical advantage, but betting on the player can also win with the right strategy.

Systems such as Martingale , Labouchere or Fibonacci are based on the accumulation of small wins over the long term. However, casino fees limit the effectiveness of such strategies when betting on the banker. Player Boxing avoids this drawback because it does not charge a commission.

Betting on the banker doesn’t work mathematically using the strategies mentioned. The player’s box is a good option for playing for a long time. 

Bets on a draw

Bets on a draw

At first glance, a draw may seem like a good option. The truth is that this bet does not provide any benefit to the player. The chances of there being a draw are less than 10% , so the amount returned for such a bet is lower than its actual probability.

If the game ends in a draw when betting on a different outcome, the player will not lose the bet made – it will be considered a “rollback”. A draw deprives the player of the opportunity to win in more likely outcomes.

Interesting! The house edge when betting on a draw is a whopping 14.4% , one of the highest among all gambling games. For comparison, the house edge when betting on the banker is only 1.06%, and on the player – 1.26% .

The best strategy in baccarat is to play without betting on the draw, focusing on the main options.

VARIETIES OF BACCARAT

VARIETIES OF BACCARAT

The main goal of the casino remains to make a profit, and baccarat makes a significant contribution to the profitability of the establishment.

In the first quarter of 2023, almost 60% of Macau casino profits came from low-stakes baccarat revenue, $4.3 billion. Another 24.6% was received from the VIP segment – $1.06 billion. That’s much more than slot machine revenue, which was just 7.1% at $303 million.

American baccarat

The game takes place at a special table, divided into cells for participants. Each cell includes 3 sectors for betting on the banker’s victory, the player’s victory or a draw. Before the cards are dealt, table participants make bets within the established limits.

Interesting! Bets in European casinos are usually made in chips, while in American casinos they are usually made in cash. This format of the game makes it more entertaining.

The game uses 6–8 decks of 52 cards. Before starting, mix them thoroughly. The cards are dealt counterclockwise, starting with the player to the right of the banker.

After betting, each participant in turn is dealt one card. Then the cards are revealed, comparing the points scored. If the total is 8 or 9 points, the round ends. Otherwise, one more card is dealt.

The one whose score is closer to nine wins. If there is a tie, the bets are returned to the players.

European baccarat

European baccarat

The difference between European baccarat and American baccarat is the greater flexibility of the rules.

A player who scores 5 points can decide to add another card (buy). However, many European casinos prefer the rules of the American version of the game.

Another difference is that the size of the pot is determined by the institution.

In this case, the possibility of other players participating in the hand depends on the size of the bets made in the previous game:

  • If the first player made a maximum bet of $3,000 with an announced limit of $5,000, then the second player will no longer be able to bet more than $2,000.
  • If the first player goes “all in” (bet the entire pot), then no one else will be able to take part in this hand.

The casino also deducts a commission of 4–5% of the winnings from winning bets on the banker.

French baccarat (Chemin de fer)

French baccarat (Chemin de fer)

Unlike the American version, where the player plays against the casino, in Shemmy the house does not take part in the game itself. His role is limited to providing a table and monitoring compliance with the rules. For this, the casino takes a commission of 5% of the total bank amount.

The role of the banker, or banker, passes between the players. The bets form a pot, which is played between the table participants. The first banker is the one who is willing to invest the largest amount.

The right to make the first bet belongs to the player sitting to the right of the banker. The banker retains his role until the bet is lost. In this case, he passes the right to another player clockwise.

Unlike the American version, in Shemmy the player has greater freedom to choose: take an additional card or remain with the current combination (depending on the number of points).

If the banker wins, he receives all bets and continues to play. If you lose, everyone takes their bet plus an equal amount of winnings.

Punto Banco

Punto Banco

Card values ​​and combinations are scored similarly to traditional baccarat. The game is played at special tables with markings. Each player is allocated an individual box, which corresponds to a seat number. The role of the banker is played by the casino.

Players’ bets are made either on the win of the punter, the bank, or a draw. The bet size is indicated on the table. Chips are placed in their number box.

Only the punter and the bank receive cards. Depending on the score, the third card rule applies: the player can take another card or stop. The bank is taking similar actions.

The hand with the more winning combination wins. Payouts on bets follow standard baccarat rules. If the punter wins, bets on the pot and the draw are collected, and winning bets on the punter are paid.

Mini-baccarat

Mini baccarat is a popular game option among Asian players. Rounds take place at small tables with minimal bets.

One variation of mini baccarat, known as Super 6 , pays out differently. If the banker wins with a six, then the player only receives half of his bet. This increases the statistical house edge to 5.87% . This system also speeds up the game as it simplifies the calculation of winnings.

There is a similar variant called EZ-baccarat . Here, payouts occur on the winning bets of both the banker and the player. The exception is when after three cards the banker has a total of 7 points.

This game includes additional bets:

  • Dragon 7 – for winning the banker with seven of three cards with a payout of 40 to 1;
  • Panda 8 – for the same winnings of a player with an eight and a payout of 25 to 1.

Mini Baccarat has lower minimum bets, which is why it appeals to beginners.

Baccarat banque

The game is played with three decks of cards. The banker retains his position until the end of the game, until all cards have been dealt, unless he decides to leave or is left without funds to continue betting.

Initially, the banker is determined through an auction – he becomes the player who is willing to take on the greatest risk by betting the largest amount. In some cases, the banker becomes the one who signed up for the list of players earlier than the rest.

After the banker is determined, the cards are dealt. The dealer shuffles the deck and invites the players on both sides of the table, as well as the banker himself, to shuffle it. A random player is then selected to cut the deck.

The dealer deals one card to the players to his right and left, as well as to the banker. This is repeated one more time, so that there are 6 cards on the table. The loser gives way to the next player. Anyone can risk the entire bank if they wish.

The banker is obliged to make one hand, but then can leave, appointing a successor and transferring the remaining chips to him. If the bank is empty, the banker can deposit additional funds. In Baccarat banque, the banker maintains his position until the very end of the game, providing greater stability in the game.

Peek Baccarat (from online provider Evolution Gaming)

In virtual casinos there are no table neighbors, as is the case in offline establishments. The pace of live games is much higher – up to 800 hands per hour. Bets as low as 10 cents are accepted, so the virtual format is more accessible. The online version has more detailed statistics for each table. You can play on several tables simultaneously, which also expands the player’s capabilities.

Peek Baccarat (from online provider Evolution Gaming)

Pick baccarat is a unique type of card game in which the player has the opportunity to “look” at the cards and make a bet based on the denominations they see.

The game is played using a deck of eight standard 52-card decks. Before the start of the round, the player makes a normal bet on either the player or the banker. The first two cards are then presented, after which the player is given the opportunity to look at one card. This allows you to assess the situation and make a decision: leave the bet as is or increase it by 2 or 3 times.

The rules for determining the winner of a round are the same as in regular baccarat – you need to score the number of points closest to nine.

A special feature of Peak Baccarat is that a 20% commission is charged for the opportunity to look at the cards . The strategy consists of frequently doubling or tripling the bet after “peeping”, so that the commission does not “eat up” the entire bank.

Lightning Baccarat (from online provider Evolution Gaming)

Lightning Baccarat (from online provider Evolution Gaming)

This is a version of traditional baccarat where bet multipliers appear. Players need to bet that the player’s or banker’s cards will be closer to 9 points. You can also bet on a draw.

After the first two cards are dealt to everyone and the points are counted, the winner is determined. In Lightning Baccarat, before the cards are revealed, additional “lightning” cards appear with winning multipliers – from x 2 to x 8 times .

Overall, the RTP of Lightning Baccarat is slightly lower than regular baccarat at 98.76% . But there is a chance of winning more with a smaller bet thanks to random multipliers.

BACCARAT STRATEGIES

Baccarat uses several gaming systems, each of which has its own characteristics.

Strategies can be divided into 3 categories:

  1. Positive . They involve a gradual increase in the size of the bet after a loss in order to compensate for previous losses.
  2. Negative . They work in the opposite direction – the bet is reduced after a loss in order to reduce risk (a more conservative approach, but less profitable).
  3. Flat . They imply the same bet size regardless of previous results (minimum risk, but lower potential profit).

The choice of strategy depends on the individual preferences of the player and his willingness to take risks.

Counter d’Alembert system

One of the most common methods is the Counter d’Alembert system . It involves starting the game with a minimum bet. When a player wins, he increases the previous bet by one, and when he loses, he decreases it by the same amount. This ensures a gradual increase in the size of the bet depending on the results of previous rounds.

This system is considered one of the most rational strategies in baccarat, as it allows you to minimize risks and gradually increase your winnings in the long term.

Parlay Tactics

Another common strategy in baccarat is the Parlay tactic . Unlike Martingale, here the bets are doubled after each win.

The player starts with a minimum bet, and after winning the round, makes the next bet 2 times the previous one. Progression continues until the player is defeated. After it, the chain of bets starts again from the minimum amount.

The system allows you to quickly increase your winnings with a successful series, but significantly increases the risks due to the possibility of running into table limits. Important ! One unsuccessful round will reset the results of the previous ones.

Therefore, Parlay’s tactics cannot be called universal. It is used by those who are willing to take risks for a big win.

Progression of Charles Gütting

A common approach to betting in baccarat is the Charles Gütting progression .

The system includes 4 betting levels:

  1. At the first level the bet is $2.
  2. At the second level – from $3 to $6.
  3. The third level involves bets from $8 to $16.
  4. The fourth level is from $20 to $40.

After two winning rounds on one level, the player moves on to the next. If he loses, he returns to the first bet of the previous level.

The Charles Gütting system allows you to gradually increase the size of your bet as you go through a successful series, while reducing risks by “retreating” after a loss. The strategy is considered one of the most balanced.

Law of two thirds (2/3)

Law of two thirds (2/3)

An interesting approach to the game is the application of the law of two thirds . Its essence is to maintain your own statistics based on the results of the rounds.

It is recommended to bet on the banker for 10–15 games. If during this period he wins less than 2/3 of the rounds, then in the next 10–15 games you need to bet on the player.

The system is based on statistical analysis of results and maximizes income during long-term play.

Martingale system

The most common negative progression in baccarat is the Martingale system . It consists of doubling the bet after each loss until the player wins. The system compensates for previous defeats by increasing the bet and returning to the original level.

The strategy also has disadvantages. The main one is the growth of the bet size in geometric progression. If the chain of losses turns out to be too long, it will lead to significant losses (the problem of table limits is relevant).

Important ! When using negative progressions in baccarat, you should take into account all the risks and stop in time to avoid large losses.

D’Alembert’s method

D’Alembert became famous as a philosopher, mathematician and scientist. His works were adapted into a simple system against baccarat: if the player loses the game, the bet increases by one. If you win, the bet is reduced by one.

To end up in the black, you need a long series of successful games in a row. Therefore, using the d’Alembert method is risky – you can easily lose your bankroll.

Oscar Grind System

Another common approach in baccarat is the Oscar Grind system . If a smaller bet amount is enough to win one unit (for example, $1), then it is reduced. After a loss, the bet size remains the same. If you win, the bet size increases by one unit.

The system is not like a type of negative progression, but it also aims to reduce losses from previous unsuccessful bets.

 Whitaker system

 Whitaker system

  • Whittaker’s system
  • Negative progession

This is a method that uses a sequence of numbers in which each next one is the sum of the previous two.

An interesting property of the system is that winning a bet equal to the next number in a row allows you to compensate for 2 previous losses at once . The Whitaker method reduces the overall risk in baccarat.

Progression 31

The system consists of using a special number sequence. If the player wins, the size of the previous bet is doubled. This allows you to increase your winnings at an exponential rate.

In case of loss, the player does not move to the next level in the chain, but to the one that follows the level of the last bet. This compensates for the loss from an unsuccessful batch.

Flat system (dynamic game)

The player chooses a share of the bankroll (usually 1–5%) and bets it each round, regardless of the previous result. This reduces the risk of large losses and balances out the frequency of winning and losing over the long term.

With this tactic, it is important to regularly review the size of the bet in relation to the current bankroll. When it grows by 10–20% of the original amount, an adjustment is made. The flat system maintains an optimal balance between risk and reward throughout the gaming session.

Betting tips after choosing a strategy

Betting tips after choosing a strategy

  • Betting on a player is more profitable than betting on a banker

The banker bet has a commission of approximately 5%, so it is best avoided if the player is using the system. A bet on the banker is advisable when the player expects an edge of 1.06%. A modest percentage in favor of the casino will make the gaming process a little more profitable due to long-term statistics.

  • Tactics should help achieve the player’s goals

In baccarat there is no ideal strategy that always leads to a “plus”. When choosing, the player must consider his goals. If this eliminates the casino’s small advantage, then it is better to bet on the player.

  • It is not profitable to bet on a draw

In the early days, betting on a draw may have been attractive because it added variety to baccarat. However, players have long realized that such a bet brings practically no winnings. The chances of winning are significantly higher when choosing the banker or player box.

  • Only luck affects the outcome of the round

Some common mistakes include making assumptions about “hot” and “cold” tables depending on external circumstances. Sometimes there is an illusion of control at the table (when a player believes that he is able to control the course of events).

In fact, the only factor that can be influenced is the choice of bets. Success largely depends on the ability to adapt to the unpredictable course of the game and minimize the influence of the luck factor.

  • Casinos make money on emotional players

Losing is an inevitable part of gambling. It is important to be able to respond adequately to failures without giving in to emotions.

Players upset about a loss make risky bets in hopes of making up for the loss. However, such emotional tactics rarely end in success.

The best approach is to only play when the game is enjoyable. If your mood changes in a negative direction, you should take a break or end the session altogether. The ability to remain calm even after failure allows you to achieve wins in the long run.

  • Bankroll limit

Even if you cannot strictly adhere to the limit, its presence helps you assess your own financial capabilities.

Knowing the allotted amount in advance, the player is able to select versions of the game whose risks he is willing to accept. This allows you to play for money, but within comfortable conditions.

Some players prefer to bet small amounts more frequently, while others set aside a budget for a single large bet. In any case, predetermined boundaries help maintain control over the process.

  • Bankroll limit

A well-known misconception in baccarat is the belief that there are “cycles” of winning and losing. Sometimes players feel that after a series of banker or player wins, the likelihood of them losing increases.

There is no evidence of such a pattern!

The best approach is to play baccarat based only on the actual odds laid out in the rules.

  • There is no point in keeping count of eliminated cards

The strategy takes into account the distribution of cards in the deck and slightly increases the probability of success. Experts believe that the effort is practically not worth it. It’s better to focus on developing more effective tactics.

  • You need to carefully study the casino terms and conditions

Players are attracted by offers to play without commission on banker bets.

Attention ! Generous casino conditions are a trap for inattentive players.

The establishment, having lost the commission, compensates for it by increasing the usual statistical advantage. In fact, the player’s chances of winning still remain lower.

For example, with zero commission, the house edge can be as high as 4.07% instead of the traditional 1.06%. There are no commissions and the casino still maintains an advantage.

When choosing a casino to play baccarat, you should carefully study not only the commission, but also the real chances of winning, which may be hidden behind the attractive promises of marketers.

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