Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of Baccarat. Once upon a time, the game was reserved for high-rollers and jet setters; however, that’s no longer the case. Today, people from all walks of life can immerse themselves in the classic card game. Wondering how to play Baccarat? You’re in the right place! Here, we explore the Baccarat card game and how to play Baccarat in more detail.
What is Baccarat?
First things first, let’s explore what Baccarat actually is. Whether you’re playing online or live Baccarat, the aim of the game is to predict who will draw the higher hand. Baccarat is always played between the player and the banker. Now, this is where it gets slightly confusing – “the Player” isn’t you, even though you’re playing the game, and “the Banker” isn’t the dealer. The Banker and the Player are simply terms used for the two hands dealt in the game. When playing the game, you can either bet on one of the hands or predict a tie.
How to play Baccarat?
Now, let’s explore how to play Baccarat. Regardless of whether you’re playing live or online, the first thing to do is place a bet. There are three bet types of available: Banker, Player or tie. When playing online, you place a bet by clicking the appropriate area of the on-screen table. When playing in a land-based casino, you place your bet through the dealer.
Once you’ve placed your bet, the Player and the Banker are each dealt two cards. Depending on the total of the hand, the Play may then draw an additional card to create a 3-card hand. In blackjack, the player can choose whether to hit or stand; however, Baccarat works slightly differently. If the Player’s two-card total is five or less, a third card is automatically drawn. When playing online, a third card will be dealt automatically if necessary.
Once the Player’s hand is complete, the Banker will either hit or stand. The rules are slightly more complicated for the Banker’s hand, but the basic concept is the same – the Banker must be dealt a third card if the total is below a certain amount. Once the Player and Banker hands are complete, the two are compared and the hand with the highest total wins the round. If you guessed the winning hand correctly, your bet will then be paid out.
Why is Baccarat so popular?
Available in both online and brick-and-mortar casinos, Baccarat is a favourite of gamblers all over the world. But what makes the card game so popular? Firstly, it’s seen to be one of the most sophisticated games in the world. While Baccarat is no longer reserved for high rollers and jet setters, it’s still seen to have a great deal of class. To maintain the luxury image of the game, it’s often played in a private suite with a strict dress code. Typically, women are expected to dress in evening gowns and men in tuxedos. Baccarat is also popular for its association with the James Bond films. Casino goers enough picturing themselves in the 007 setting, surrounded by beautiful women and a large pile of chips.
Many gamblers play Baccarat for its low house edge. With a house edge of just over 1%, players have a pretty high chance of walking away with a profit when playing Baccarat. While a win is never guaranteed, a lower house edge makes things much easier. For those that are unsure, the house edge is a term used to describe the mathematical advantage that the casino has over the player.
Baccarat Betting systems
All casino games have a house edge against gamblers; however, the house edge in Baccarat is much smaller than other games. This makes the game a popular choice amongst gamblers. While many gamblers believe Baccarat is purely luck-based, others enjoy using strategies to try and beat the game or increase their edge. Currently, the most popular Baccarat strategy is flat betting.
How to play Baccarat with flat betting
Many betting systems work on the “progression” framework. This is based on the idea that if you win or lose, you increase or decrease your stake based on the rules of the strategy. Flat betting works slightly differently. Instead of adjusting your stake if you win or lose, your bet remains the same on every hand. In theory, this means that you won’t lose huge amounts of money in the long run.
Why is flat betting so popular?
So, why is the flat betting strategy so popular? Well, one of the main benefits is that you should see results without losing large amounts of money. Flat bettors believe that the house edge is low enough for you to keep betting through losing streaks without decreasing your wager. This allows you to continue playing the game until you win, without putting too much cash on the line. The only downside to the Baccarat strategy is that it will take longer to make a big profit as your bet remains the same.
So, there you have it – how to play Baccarat. With a low house edge and a popular betting strategy, it’s no surprise that Baccarat is popular all over the world. If you’re wondering how to play Baccarat online or in a physical casino, go back and flick through the Baccarat tips above. Thanks to online casinos, Baccarat, slots, or Blackjack can now be enjoyed by people from all walks of life from the comfort of the sofa. Sign up at NetBet today to try out the Baccarat card game for yourself – all you need is a stable internet connection and a compatible smartphone, tablet or PC.
