The Low House Edge Game of Baccarat
Baccarat is a table game with a reputation for being played in high stakes. From sticky-floor California card rooms to the tuxedo-laden casinos of Monaco, this casino game is often associated with glamour and elegance. But there is more to this game than meets the eye. It’s one of the few casino games that has a low house edge, and there are some interesting strategies for playing Baccarat that can maximize your winning potential.
The game is simple enough: Players bet on either the Player hand, the Banker hand or a Tie. Once all bets are placed, the dealer passes two cards to each gaming space at the table. Then, the players choose which hand they think will win and wager accordingly. Once the cards are dealt, the hand with a total closer to nine wins. The croupier, who acts as the dealer in Baccarat, is not an active participant in the game; instead, she/he simply hands out the cards according to a preset system.
A hand with a total of 8 or 9 is called a “natural,” and doesn’t need to draw a third card. However, if the hand’s total is less than 8, or enters double digits, then a third card must be drawn. This is known as the ‘third card rule’ and it reduces the house edge by removing the possibility of a 9 or an 8.
In American casinos, Baccarat is usually played with real cash. But in Europe, the game is more commonly played with oblong chips, similar to those used in Blackjack. While some players may prefer to use their own money, it is much more convenient for the croupier to deal with pre-printed chips. These oblong chips are referred to as a “plaque,” and they’re available in various denominations, from $1 to $100. While it’s not as common as the American version, some casinos still offer Baccarat in its original form, with eight 52-card packs shuffled together and dealt by the croupier from a dealing box, sometimes referred to as a “shoe.”
Baccarat tables vary in size, but most can seat up to 14 players. Generally, green felt covers the table and the croupier will use a palette at large tables to move the cards around more easily. The croupier will also use a special device to keep track of the winnings, and loses, for each hand.
There are a number of side bets that players can place on Baccarat in addition to the Player Win, Banker Win or Tie Bet. These bets are generally placed before the game starts, and their odds vary by establishment and platform. One popular side bet is the Player Pair, which wagers that the croupier will deal the player and banker identical cards on the first deal. This side bet pays out at 11:1 odds.
Other side bets in Baccarat include the Super Six Bet and the Pair Bet. The payouts on these bets are calculated using different formulas. Regardless of which side bet you make, you should always set a win limit and stick to it. This will help you avoid the temptation to chase your losses and can prevent you from spending more than you can afford to lose.
Baccarat is a table game with a reputation for being played in high stakes. From sticky-floor California card rooms to the tuxedo-laden casinos of Monaco, this casino game is often associated with glamour and elegance. But there is more to this game than meets the eye. It’s one of the few casino games that has a low house edge, and there are some interesting strategies for playing Baccarat that can maximize your winning potential. The game is simple enough: Players bet on either the Player hand, the Banker hand or a Tie. Once all bets are placed, the dealer passes two cards to each gaming space at the table. Then, the players choose which hand they think will win and wager accordingly. Once the cards are dealt, the hand with a total closer to nine wins. The croupier, who acts as the dealer in Baccarat, is not an active participant in the game; instead, she/he simply hands out the cards according to a preset system. A hand with a total of 8 or 9 is called a “natural,” and doesn’t need to draw a third card. However, if the hand’s total is less than 8, or enters double digits, then a third card must be drawn. This is known as the ‘third card rule’ and it reduces the house edge by removing the possibility of a 9 or an 8. In American casinos, Baccarat is usually played with real cash. But in Europe, the game is more commonly played with oblong chips, similar to those used in Blackjack. While some players may prefer to use their own money, it is much more convenient for the croupier to deal with pre-printed chips. These oblong chips are referred to as a “plaque,” and they’re available in various denominations, from $1 to $100. While it’s not as common as the American version, some casinos still offer Baccarat in its original form, with eight 52-card packs shuffled together and dealt by the croupier from a dealing box, sometimes referred to as a “shoe.” Baccarat tables vary in size, but most can seat up to 14 players. Generally, green felt covers the table and the croupier will use a palette at large tables to move the cards around more easily. The croupier will also use a special device to keep track of the winnings, and loses, for each hand. There are a number of side bets that players can place on Baccarat in addition to the Player Win, Banker Win or Tie Bet. These bets are generally placed before the game starts, and their odds vary by establishment and platform. One popular side bet is the Player Pair, which wagers that the croupier will deal the player and banker identical cards on the first deal. This side bet pays out at 11:1 odds. Other side bets in Baccarat include the Super Six Bet and the Pair Bet. The payouts on these bets are calculated using different formulas. Regardless of which side bet you make, you should always set a win limit and stick to it. This will help you avoid the temptation to chase your losses and can prevent you from spending more than you can afford to lose.