Baccarat is the simplest and most popular card game in casinos. The outcome of hands depends largely on luck, which means players don’t need to employ complex mathematical strategies. Simply learn how to manage your bankroll. But first, you should familiarize yourself with the rules of baccarat and how points are calculated.
History of the game
The origins of baccarat remain debated. Most sources link it to the Italian Felix Falguera. In the 15th century, he created a new game based on an Etruscan ritual involving nine-sided dice. It was used for hands where players were required to predict the numbers that would roll in advance.
Over time, the rules of baccarat evolved. The final version appeared only in the 19th century, but had various names—”Chemin de Fer” in France, “Punto Banco” in Spain, and “Nine” in other countries.
For many years, baccarat was only available to members of the nobility.
IN Las VegasThe game emerged in the 1940s. Initially, the tables featured high stakes. However, casino owners later began charging a commission on the banker’s tables, allowing them to offer lower-limit hands to their customers.
Live dealer casino handouts
Rules of the game of baccarat
The competition is always against the house, even if there are other players at the table. In land-based gambling establishments, the dealer takes the bets,online— the program is responsible for the entire process.
The cards are dealt using 52-card decks. The table is marked with special markings and consists of several boxes.
The more decks used in a game, the higher the house edge.
Target
The main goal is to get a hand that’s as close to a nine as possible. If the hand is worth 8 or 9, it’s called a “natural” and is highly likely to win.
To win, a participant must predict the outcome of a hand before it begins by placing a bet on the corresponding box. In the classic version, there are three:
- Player- player’s victory.
- Tie- draw.
- Banker —banker’s winnings.
Classic version of Baccarat with regular markings
Rates
To start playing baccarat, you need to decide on a bet amount. It’s important to consider the minimum and maximum limits at the table.
You can bet on the Player, Banker, or Tie. Some game variations feature additional boxes—side, secondary, and special. You can place chips on them only after choosing the main outcome.
Popular side bet options:
- Pair- cards of the same denomination.
- Big hand- scores 5 or 6 points.
- The perfect couple- match in rank and suit.
- Little hand — gives 4 points.
Dealing the deck and combinations
After bets are accepted, the dealer deals two cards to the banker and player. The strength of the hand is immediately assessed. Points are calculated. If the total is equal to or greater than 10, ten points are subtracted. This rule eliminates the possibility of busting.
Example: a player has 5 and 6 on his hand. The value of the combination is determined by its value: 5 + 6 = 11. The total is greater than ten, so 10 is subtracted from it. The combination is worth 1 point, which requires a draw.
Three-card combinations for the dealer and the player
Collection
If a player’s hand is worth between 0 and 5 points, they receive a third card. The dealer hits if one of the conditions below is met.
| Player’s combination or cards | Dealer points | Collection |
| There is no eight | 3 | Yes |
| The third card was not issued | From 6 | No |
| Any combination | 0-1-2 | Yes |
| No 4, 5, 6 or 7 | 5 | Yes |
| Any combination | 7 | No |
| No 10, 8, 9, J, Q, K | 4 | Yes |
Scoring
The following counting rules apply when evaluating the value of a combination.
| Nominal value | Number of points |
| Board | 1 |
| From 2 to 9 | On merit |
| Ten, jack, queen, king | 0 |
After the count, the hand’s results are tallied. If a participant’s bet lands on the winning box, they receive a payout. The following odds apply:
- Player wins— x1.
- Draw— x9 or x8 (depending on the online casino rules).
- Dealer wins — x1 minus 5% commission.
A bet on Player brings the player a win
Additional bets are paid at the following odds:
- An ordinary couple— x11.
- Big hand— x0.54.
- The perfect couple— x25.
- Small hand —x1.5.
How to play according to strategy
It’s impossible to stay in the black all the time. Existing strategies only minimize the casino’s advantage, but don’t guarantee winning sessions.
The main rule is to avoid betting on a draw. The probability of such an outcome occurring is very low, and even high payout odds won’t cover losses over the long term.
You need to bet on the Player or Banker box, where the chances of winning are 44.6% and 45.8%, respectively.
When participating in distributions, it is recommended to usestrategies, based on progressive increase methods:
- Martingale.After each losing bet, double up. This continues until a payout is received. Start with the minimum amount. Choose tables with higher maximum limits.
- D’Alembert.PAfter each win, the bet is doubled. If you lose, it is returned to the original amount.
Another popular strategy doesn’t involve doubling. The only requirement is to select the same bet type throughout the entire session, which is especially advantageous in versions with increased odds on the Banker box.
Varieties of the game
There are over 10 versions of baccarat available in online casinos. These differ in the rules of hand handling, round times, and other nuances.
| Name of the variety | Peculiarity |
| Baccarat Squeeze | The cards are laid out face down |
| Mini point | No additional bets.One deck is used for dealing. |
| No Commission Baccarat | There is no 5% commission on Banker |
| Speed Baccarat | Each round lasts 27 seconds instead of 48 |
| Point 2000 | 5% commission is not charged.If 7 points are collected on Banker, the payout is calculated at odds of 0.5:1. |
| Dragon 7 | If the dealer has a 7-point hand on three cards, the Banker bet pays out at odds of x50. |
| VIP Baccarat | Increased maximum limits apply |
| Macau | 2 decks are used.Dealt 1 card at a time.You can make purchases and exchanges. |
| Panda 8 | There is a x25 multiplier on Banker when three cards give 8 points |
Conclusion
Baccarat is one of the simplest yet most elegant card games, gaining popularity worldwide. Its rules are easy to learn even for beginners, and the outcome of hands depends largely on luck, making the game accessible and engaging. Despite its simplicity, baccarat has many variations, each adding its own unique characteristics and dynamics to the gameplay.
The most important thing every player should remember is that it’s impossible to beat the casino over the long term, as the house always has a mathematical advantage. However, choosing the right bets, managing your bankroll wisely, and using strategies can minimize risks and ensure you enjoy the game.
Baccarat is prized for its exciting atmosphere, simple rules, and the potential for big wins. This is why it remains a key game in every casino—both land-based and online.
Leave a Reply