A Comprehensive Guide to Playing Baccarat and Winning at the Casino [xxxtreme, lightning]

Baccarat is one of the popular online casino card games. Players bet on either the “player” or “banker” hand, aiming to have a total closest to 9. The baccarat game is straightforward, requiring minimal strategy, making it accessible to both beginners and seasoned gamblers. If you are new to playing this game, we have the resources to help you get started.

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Baccarat gaming elements

The baccarat betting game is known for its simplicity, fast-paced gameplay, and the element of chance, rather than skill, influencing the outcome. The essential elements constituting the game are listed below.

1. Cards

The game is typically played with 6 to 8 decks of standard playing cards. These cards are used to determine the outcomes of the “player” and “banker” hands during the game, with each hand receiving a combination of two or three cards to determine the total value.

2. Table

The number of seats for players in the baccarat online casino varies between seven to fourteen, based on the game version, alongside a designated dealer’s area. Regardless of the number of players, the game involves only two hands dealt – the Player’s and the Banker’s. Individual players do not receive their cards; instead, they have their betting areas.

3. Betting areas

Over the tabletop, every player will discover three-bet boxes, each corresponding to the hands – “Player”, the “Banker”, and “Tie”, positioned above their respective numbers.

4. Betting chips

This game uses betting chips of various denominations for wagering. Players place these chips on the designated areas for betting on particular hands. Each chip’s value represents the amount of money wagered, and the chips are exchanged for real cash once the bets are settled.

5. The dealer

The game commences as the dealer deals the cards. Positioned at the center of the Baccarat table, the dealer stands before the players to ensure access to all areas on the table.

6. The commission box

In full baccarat, a commission box – an elongated box filled with numbers, is positioned near the bank to track all commissions. The dealer collects a 5% commission from winning bets on the Banker’s hand.

Alternatively, on different Baccarat tables, there are commission circles beside every player’s betting area. Each number in these circles signifies a player, and the dealer marks the owed commission until the player settles it upon leaving the table.

The point system in Baccarat

Before you learn how to play baccarat, it is essential to learn the baccarat rules around points.

1. Card values

The point values for cards are as follows – 

• 2 to 9 number cards – Worth face value (e.g., 4 has 4 points).
• Number 10 and face cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings) – Worth 0 points.
• Aces – Worth 1 point.

2. Hand calculation

A “hand” refers to the set of cards dealt to the “Player” and the “Banker” during the game. Each hand consists of either two or three cards, depending on the total point value after the initial deal and whether the game’s rules require drawing a third card for either or both hands. Players bet on the outcome of these hands, aiming to predict which one will have a total value closest to 9 points.

To calculate the point total of a hand, add the values of all the cards and then take the rightmost digit of the sum. For instance –

• A hand with an 8 and a 4 would total 12, but the rightmost digit (2) is the actual value.
• A hand with a 5 and a Queen will total 5, as Queens are worth 0 points.

Natural hand

If either the “player” or “banker” hand totals 8 or 9 points after the initial two cards are dealt, it is called a “natural” hand, and no more cards are drawn.

Third card rule

If neither the “player” nor the “banker” has a natural hand, specific rules govern whether a third card should be drawn for one or both hands. The rules are predetermined and depend on the point total of the first two cards of each hand.

Winning hand

The hand closest to 9 points wins the game in a baccarat casino. If both hands have the same total, it results in a tie. Note that players can bet on a tie outcome specifically.

How to play baccarat

Read the below-mentioned steps to learn how to play.

1. Set a limit

It’s essential not to let excitement cloud judgment. Determine your budget beforehand, avoiding the disappointment of winning and then losing everything. Be prudent; decide when it’s safe to stop playing; some players opt to leave once they’ve doubled their initial funds.

2. Place a bet

Placing a bet in Baccarat is a straightforward process. All you need to do is follow the below steps –

Obtain chips

Exchange cash for betting chips at the table. Different denominations will be available.

Choose your bet

Decide which outcome you want to bet on – the “player,” the “banker,” or a “tie.”

Place your chips

Put your betting chips in the designated area on the table corresponding to your chosen bet. There will be separate sections for each bet.

Wait for the deal

Once all players have placed their bets, the dealer will begin dealing the cards.

Determine the outcome

After the hand is played out, the winner will be determined based on the hand closest to 9 points.

Collect payout

If your bet wins, you’ll be paid according to the payout rate for your chosen bet type.

Repeat

If you want to continue playing, repeat the process by placing new bets on subsequent hands.

Online baccarat allows you to place bets by selecting the appropriate chips and bet options on the virtual table displayed on your screen.

3. Dealing cards in Baccarat

After the bets have been made, the dealer proceeds to deal four cards on the table. Initially, a card is slid out and positioned in the Player box, followed by placing the next card in the Banker box. This process is repeated until both boxes have two cards each.

When the total points of either the Player’s or the Banker’s hand adds up to 8 or 9 with the first two cards dealt, it is considered a “natural win,” and the game concludes immediately. All bets placed are then settled and paid out accordingly based on the outcome of the natural win. No additional cards are drawn in this situation, as the game is already decided by the natural hand.

When neither the Player’s nor the Banker’s hand totals 8 or 9, the dealer has the option to draw an additional card for one or both hands based on specific rules. Baccarat’s advantage lies in its transparent rules governing the drawing of a third card, making it easy for players to understand when and why additional cards are drawn during the game.

4. Third-card rules

1. For the Player

The Player takes the initial action in Baccarat, influencing the Banker’s hand. Here are the rules for the Player’s hand –

• If the Player’s hand totals 8 or 9 points, it’s a natural win, and no additional cards are drawn. The Player’s hand remains as is.
• The Player’s hand always stands on point totals of 6 or 7 as well, and no further cards are drawn.
• When the Player’s hand totals between 0 to 5 points, a third card is drawn, except when the Banker already has a total of 8 or 9 points. In such cases, the Banker wins, and no further cards are drawn.

2. For the Banker

The Banker’s actions regarding drawing a third card in baccarat depend on the total of their first two cards.

Total	Draws 3rd card unless player has	Banker stands when player’s 3rd card is
0 – 1 – 2	natural 8 or 9
3	0 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 or 9	8
4	2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7	0 – 1 – 8 – 9
5	4 – 5 – 6 – 7	0 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 8 – 9
6	6 – 7	0 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 8 – 9
7	They stand, and no additional card is drawn
8 – 9	Natural Numbers – neither hand draws a third card.

These rules govern when the Banker must draw a third card and are implemented automatically during the game.

After the cards are dealt and played, the hand with a value closest to 9 points wins. Both hands receive a maximum of three cards. No hand wins/loses in a tie. The dealer recovers lost bets and pays out winning bets.

5. Payouts in baccarat

A successful wager on bankers results in an even money payout, or 1 to 1 and double or even on a player’s hand. For instance, if you bet $5 and win, you’ll receive $5 as your payout, though it will be reduced by a 5% commission in the case of a winning bet on the banker’s hand. Commissions are recorded by the dealer in the commission box whenever applicable and collected when the Banker’s hand wins.

In contrast, a winning wager on a tie yields an 8 to 1 payout. For instance, if you bet $10 and win on a tie, you will receive $80 as your payout.

Playing baccarat can be easy, safe, enjoyable, and worthy as long as you stick to your predetermined budget and know when to withdraw from the game.