Variations & Origins of Baccarat
Baccarat is said to have been first popularized by soldiers in France during the Italian conflicts and soon became a game of choice amongst French aristocrats. Baccarat later made its way to the United States in the early part of the 19th century and has been growing in popularity ever since. Baccarat has even been popularized in a James Bond movie! As of today, the most popular variations are Punto Banco, Baccarat Banquet, and Chemin de Fer.
The Punto Banco, otherwise known as North
American Blackjack, is a table game that purely revolves around luck since the
results of the game depend upon the cards that the player and banker get.
Chemin de Fer do and Baccarat Banquet, on the other hand, do require some
measure of skill and ability to discern the best course of action to take. Generally
speaking, Baccarat entails comparing the hand that you’ve been dealt to that of
the dealer’s. You will have three betting options to choose from and the way
each hand is played will be dictated by fixed rules.
The Rules and Gameplay
Baccarat is typically played using 8 decks
of cards that are re-shuffled after each hand is dealt, with the third card
distributed face up. The objective in Baccarat involves betting on the hand
that has a value closest to nine. First, two cards will be dealt for each hand;
the point totals of each hand will dictate whether either hand will be dealt a
third card. A total of 8 and 9 will be referred to as a ‘natural’ and your hand
will receive no additional cards. In Baccarat, cards are ranked as follows: 10s
and face cards are worth 0, Aces are valued at 1, and all other cards are
valued at their pip value.
To start playing, you must first place a bet
on whether it will be your hand or the banker’s winning, or if you expect a
tie. If you place a bet on your hand winning and you win, you will receive a
payout of 1:1. If you place a bet on the banker’s hand winning and they win,
you will receive a payout of 1:1. If, on the other hand, you successfully
predict a tie, you will receive a payout of 8:1.
If neither yours nor the dealer’s hand is
equal to 8 or 9, then you must then determine whether you would like a third
card. If you accept the third card, it will be given to you facing up. Given
the probabilities involved, we strongly recommend that you ask for one
additional card if your hand value is between 0 and 4. If, on the other hand,
your hand value is equal to six or seven, then you should not request an
additional card. Some online Baccarat games also provide you with play history
and payout summary, which can be a great tool for analyzing the success of your
gameplay.
Baccarat for Everyone!
Baccarat is relatively easy to get the hang of and is thus an exceptional choice for novice players or those looking to have fun without all of the complexity. Baccarat appeals to players who are looking for a fast paced and exciting table gaming experience; it also comes in many varieties, thereby offering many ways to have fun. What are you waiting for? Try out this iconic table game and see what has made it such a charming attraction amongst players throughout the centuries! Alternatively, if you are new and looking for other casino games, do check out our article on the best casino games for beginners.
