Baccarat is an Elegant Game with Simple Rules

Baccarat is a game of aristocrats, which today has become a favorite pastime of connoisseurs of refined card games. And it is also the favorite game of James Bond! You probably didn’t know that in Southeast Asian casinos 80% of all tables are baccarat and punto banco tables, another variation of the game. The simplicity of the rules, the exciting history, and the charm of the process itself attract players.

A little history of Baccarat

The history of this card game dates back hundreds of years. It is believed that baccarat appeared in the 14th century in France or Italy. Initially, tarot cards were used for the game, so it was also called tarocchi. At that time, only the upper class had access to the game. If you come across a mention of a company at a card table in an old novel, chances are they are playing baccarat. Not only the counting of points, by the way, very simple, but also lively communication was of interest. And to this day, baccarat is called the game of aristocrats.

The main advantages of the game are precisely the simplicity of the rules and low volatility. For a full-fledged gaming session, only one deck of cards and two players are enough. So, it contributed to the popularity among the poorest segments of the population in later centuries. In the 19th century, French migrants brought baccarat to America.

With the advent of online casinos, baccarat firmly entered the list of mandatory games. Live baccarat gained popularity, which, unlike the simulator, retained the advantages of playing with opponents. Online casinos mainly feature such types of games as mini-baccarat and punto-banco.

The essence of the game

With two or three cards issued by the banker to each player, score a number of points equal to 9 or as close as possible to this number. Each card means a certain number of points:

• ace - 1 point
• 2-9 remain at their values
• 10 and cards with figures - 0 points

If the total number of points on hand exceeds 9, then 10 is subtracted from the resulting number and the remainder is involved in summing up the results. Perfectly simple!

Before starting the game, it must be clearly stated what rule is used for the third card. Usually, it is used if the participant did not manage to collect 8 or 9 points with the first two. In this case, both the player and the banker can take an additional card.

For bets, there are three fields: “player”, “banker” and “tie”. They differ in the amount of payment in case of winning. For example, the “player” field is the most profitable option: winning provides a payout of 2:1 from the initial amount. “Banker” is also a good solution, but in case of victory, a 5% commission is deducted from the player. A bet on a “tie” implies a rather low possibility of winning, but payment is made at a rate of 9:1 or 8:1.

The house edge with an eight-deck shoe depends on what you bet on:

• on a player - 1.06%
• on a banker - 1.24%
• on a tie - 14.36%

This means that betting on a tie has the highest risk and lowest chance of winning. Betting on a banker has slightly more chances of success than betting on a player, but you pay a 5% commission for winning. Betting on a player has no commission, but has slightly less chances of winning than betting on a banker.

Online baccarat and live baccarat

Online baccarat (software simulator) was much less popular than other card game simulators and slots. Fans of the game complained about the monotony of the gameplay, no wonder because there were no neighbors at the table in it. Fortunately, live baccarat has restored popularity to the game of aristocrats.

The presence of a gaming strategy

In games like blackjack or roulette, experienced players often use special gaming strategies. They imply playing according to a certain scheme, which ultimately increases the chances of winning. This also works for baccarat!

The most popular strategies are the Fibonacci method and the Martingale method. Their essence is simple: after each loss, you need to increase the amount of the bet. After the first win, you should return to the original amount. These strategies are made for a long distance and imply that the player has a certain experience and a fairly large bankroll. Also, due to the peculiarities of the rules, playing by the system, it is recommended to follow two rules:

• Avoid bets on a tie, as they have the highest casino advantage (14.36%) and the lowest chance of winning.
• Bet on a banker, as he has slightly more chances of winning than a player, even taking into account the 5% commission for winning.

Let’s summarize

Baccarat, with all its simplicity, can give hours of pure pleasure. That’s why the game has conquered millions of players around the world. In Arabic virtual casinos, baccarat is incredibly popular, and you can enjoy dynamic action and exciting gameplay. Choose an online casino to your taste on our website and have a good time!