I can only assume that since you found yourself on this page you are already at least somewhat familiar with the game of baccarat, but just to give you some background, baccarat is a card game of French origin, played with 6 or 8 French decks that contain 52 cards. It’s played between two hands, the so-called player and the banker. It’s one of the most sought-after games in casinos around the world where we can usually play it in 3 different ways: baccarat Banque, punto banco, and Chemin De fer, the most popular being punto banco.
Basic rules of online baccarat
- At the beginning of the game the player bets on what the outcome of the game. You can either bet on a player win, a banker win, or a tie.
- The player and the banker are then both dealt 2 cards, facing down.
- After the cards are turned over both parties make their move depending on the value of the hand they’ve been dealt with.
- The main goal of the online baccarat game is to bet on a hand that is closest to 9 points in total. When the total value surpasses 9 meaning when the value is a double-digit the first number is dropped, leaving you with a total value of whatever the second digit is (e.g. 6+6=12) in this case, you would be left with the total value of 2.
Strategy tips for playing baccarat online
Check the odds of the game before you enter it
Even though it may seem like an obvious thing to do, a lot of players, especially inexperienced newbies, join the online baccarat game table irresponsibly without checking the odds of the game first. Even for someone who generally knows the odds, it’s important to check if the information provided by an online casino is correct.
The standard commission on Banker bets is 5% but there have been cases of casinos charging up to 25% on these bets.
The odds for the Player are 1:1 and this doesn’t vary, whereas for the Tie bet the odds are 8:1.
Contrary to popular belief: bet on the Player
Even though it’s clear that betting on a banker gives you better odds than betting on the player when you take into consideration the commission on banker bets it doesn’t seem to be worth it. This bet might give you better chances but unfortunately, it’s not likely that you will get your money back, let alone make a profit.
Don’t bet on a tie
The tie bet wins if the Banker’s and Player’s hands have an equal value to one another after the cards are dealt. Now keep in mind that even though the odds of 8:1 are tempting, the reality is that in the long run, you will lose money by playing the tie bet consistently. This bet is commonly known as a “sucker’s bet” for a reason. In conclusion, only bet on a Tie when and if you are feeling particularly lucky.
Short sessions all the way
With all the help that we can give you there isn’t much that can be done to help you overcome the house advantage. Since it’s bound to get you at some point it’s best to decide on the number of games that you are going to play in advance, and once you’ve reached that number tap out no matter the outcome of the game. Whether you’re walking away with a profit or a loss make sure you quit before your losses are too grand, and of course, if you are winning the short sessions will only work in your favor.
Opt for smaller stakes
You’ve probably heard of the phrase “Slow and steady wins the race”, as well as in many instances in life this rule also applies to baccarat. One of the most efficient strategies for playing this game online is to place small bets. People tend to go for what they think would be quick and easy money, abandoning smaller wagers and instead focusing on large wagers in hopes it would lead to a bigger profit. Sure it can be tempting to give it your all right away and go for the big bucks but this is the exact strategy that more often than not ends up causing players to lose more than they gain. Instead, try starting small and then progressively increasing the stakes and you’ll see that small wagers can result in big payouts.
Read the fine print
Before you leave any personal information, or bank details, and of course before you make a deposit, make sure that you are choosing a reputable and safe casino. Read the terms and conditions of the casino bonuses and offers. A lot of times casinos do not allow the game of online baccarat to count toward the wagering requirements. You should always check the license and registration number before selecting an online baccarat casino. Online baccarat is more likely to be won at licensed and authentic online casinos. It’s best to know what you’re getting yourself into right away.
Whether you are an experienced baccarat player or an intrigued rookie looking for some basic knowledge before trying his luck at this whirlwind of a game for the first time, we believe we’ve at least cleared a few things out for you and steered you in the right direction. All that’s left to do is fish your luck in your next game!
