How do you play baccarat?
Baccarat is a table game where up to 14 players can play. It is a semicircular table where each player will have the option of betting either on the player (player), on the bank or on the tie.
That is, you bet that the player wins or that the bank wins or that there is a tie between the two.
The first thing is to bet, placing your bet in the corresponding box. Later the cards are dealt. The dealer gives two cards face down to each player and two to himself. The player’s cards are first uncovered and then those of the dealer. The bet that has obtained 9 or the figure that is closest to the 9 wins.
Let’s give an example so that it is better understood: in a hand where the player has obtained a 7 and the dealer a 9, if the player has bet that the dealer wins, he will have won the bet. Otherwise, if he has bet that the player wins or bets on a tie, then loses the bet and the dealer wins.
How are the cards scored?
Cards from 2 to 9 are worth their face value, that is, the value indicated on the card.
The 10, the jack, the knight and the king are worth 0 points.
The Ace is worth 1 point.
In the event that with the sum of the cards we obtain a two-digit number, the ten is ignored, that is, the number on the left and we will only be left with the final number. For example: if we have a 7 and an 8 the sum of the two will be 15, in this case the 1 is ignored and we are left with only the 5, therefore the total value of our cards will be 5.
In the event that with the first two cards a score of 8 or 9 is obtained, it is said that “a natural” has been obtained and a third card is not dealt. The hand with a natural of 8 wins unless the other party gets a natural of 9, in which case it logically wins over the 8.
Rules of the third card
As we have already indicated previously, if with the first two cards a hand of 8 or 9 is obtained either by the player or by the dealer, the hand is won and whoever has made the correct bet wins.
But in the event that this “natural” is not obtained with the first two cards, then the rules of the third card comes into play. These rules are very specific and are mandatory, therefore they are applied automatically by the dealer, that is, the player does not have the option to decide whether or not to ask for another card.
Third card for the player
If the player’s starting score goes from 0 to 5, then the dealer draws another card. Let’s say it’s a second chance for the player to get a 9 or closer to a 9.
If the initial score is a 6 or a 7 a third card will not be drawn and the dealer’s hand will come into play.
Third card to the dealer
The dealer’s third card will depend not only on the score obtained with the two starting cards, but also on the player’s third card.
- If the dealer’s score is 0, 1 or 2 then a third card will always be drawn.
- If he has 3 points and the player’s third card was not an 8, then another card will be drawn.
- If he has 4 points and the player’s third card has been 2,3,4,5,6 or 7, another card will be drawn.
- If he has 5 points and the player’s third card has been 4,5,6 or 7, another card will be drawn.
- If he has 6 points and the player’s third card has been 6 or 7, another card will be drawn.
- If you have 7 points, a third card will not be drawn.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to memorize or remember all these rules. You are not the one who should apply the third card rule. In any case, the dealer will be in charge of applying the rules correctly.
Payment of bets
Once the hand is finished, the winning bets will be paid as follows:
The bets on the player and the bank are paid 1 to 1 with the difference that in the bets on the bank the casino takes a percentage of 5% of the bet, this is what is known as the “guilty commission”.
Tie bets are paid 8 to 1, so at first glance they are often very tempting.
But if we do a little analysis of probabilities, we find that the bank has a success rate of 45.86% compared to 44.62% for the player and the draw 9.52%. Therefore it is quite obvious that it is not convenient for us to bet on the tie even if the payout is much higher than the rest.
Types or variants of baccarat
Chemin de Fer (or Chemmy)
It is one of the most popular versions and is considered the first version of baccarat from which new variants emerged. Its name comes from French and means “railroad track” and this refers to the main characteristic of this version, which is that the bank changes hands and passes from player to player.
Each player will have to take charge of the bank following different turns and rotations. In this way the casino only intervenes to enforce the rules and make the payments.
Punto Banco (or North American Baccarat)
The version known as Punto Banco is the version that we know the most today which is played in almost all casinos in the world. It has become popular and gained ground to leave behind the older version known as Chemin de Fer, to the point that for younger players this version is simply baccarat. This is why in many places the Punto Banco version is called baccarat. In this type of game the bank is assumed by the casino.
Baccarat banque (or à Deux Tableaux)
This version is also known as two-cloth baccarat since the table is divided into two parts also known as cloths that divide the players in half. The bank is taken by the player who chooses this option or if there are several interested players, it will be awarded to whoever makes the best bet. In this case, the bank does not rotate the hands of the different players, but remains with the same player until the player leaves the game.
Conclusion and tips
So far, we have been guiding you through the incredible world of baccarat. Surely you have already fully understood how it works and are ready to try it and become familiar with this wonderful game of chance. But as always, before we say goodbye, we will give you some little tips and tricks that can help you a lot.
We have told you before but we insist, do not bet on a draw. Although it is tempting because it pays 8 to 1, the chances of you winning are much lower.
Choose the bet on the bank even if you pay 5% commission, the chances of winning are higher.
If you use strategies like the ones we have mentioned above, always put a limit on the amount to bet since if you have a bad streak you may have to bet very high figures that can exceed your budget.
And as always, play with prudence and responsibly on legal platforms and with full guarantees.
Play for entertainment and fun not as a means of making money, it does not work.
Frequent Questions
What does “natural” mean in baccarat?
If you have an 8 or a 9 with the two initial cards it is said that you have a “natural”.
Is baccarat a game of strategy?
No, not really. Baccarat is a game of chance based primarily on luck. You can’t really use skill in this game, but you can still enjoy it to the fullest because it is simple and very entertaining.
Can I play baccarat for free?
Of course yes, most casinos offer you the possibility to play for free to test the game and get familiar with it. Don’t hesitate, try it for free before playing for real money.
Do you play the same baccarat online as when you play live?
The casinos offer different versions of baccarat both live and online, but there are no differences within the same version whether online or live. The rules and how they work are the same.
Can the Ace in baccarat be worth 11 points like in blackjack?
The answer is no, in baccarat the Ace is worth only 1 point.
What is the guilty commission in baccarat?
It is a commission of 5% on the bet that the casino takes in the case of bets on the bank in which the dealer wins.
