Baccarat is one of the classic gambling games that has been known since the Middle Ages. At first glance, it seems simple. However, there are many nuances to consider for a successful game.
Baccarat: rules and gameplay
There are two sides in the game – the Banker and the Player. The essence of baccarat is to bet on the victory of the Player, the Banker, or a tie. However, many rules and baccarat strategies in casinos show that it’s not that simple. What is Baccarat? Baccarat is a card game, and the goal is to use two or three cards to get a winning combination. A winning combination is a set of cards that adds up to a value close to or equal to nine points.
Baccarat has three types of bets:
- On the Player or Punto. This is a bet on the Player’s hand winning. It pays 1 to 1.
- On the Banker or Banco. This is a bet on the Banker’s hand winning, which pays 19 to 20. Sometimes, it may be calculated differently – 1 to 1 with a 5% commission deduction.
- On a Tie. This means betting on an equal number of points for the Player and the Banker. It pays out 8 to 1, or in some cases, 9 to 1.
In the classic version of baccarat, the rules of the game were somewhat different. Players used to compete in deciding whether to draw another card or not. Today, it’s a bit different. The modern version of the game is also called mini-baccarat or punto banco. Essentially, the participant needs to bet against the house and decide whether to take another card.
The rules of Baccarat vary depending on the following parameters:
- the number of decks used in the game – it can be from 1 to 8;
- the number of possible participants – up to 14 players can join;
- the features of drawing and dealing cards, and the size and order of payout;
- the dealer can be one person throughout the game or the role can be, or the role may be rotated among other players;
- payouts can come from the bank or the bets;
- there are different table markings in various types of the game.
Gamblers often try to find patterns in winnings and determine winning strategies. Some turn to betting systems, while others judge by the results of previous games. However, there is no 100% way to predict possible game outcomes.
Card values in the baccarat game
Each card has its own value. In baccarat, the points are calculated as follows:
- each ace is worth 1 point;
- cards from 2 to 9 are worth their face value;
- kings, queens, jacks, and tens are worth 0 points.
If the sum of the cards is 10 or more, you need to subtract 10 and consider what remains when calculating the result. For example, if you get a 5 + 5 = 10, then the result is 0. If you draw a 9 + 4 =13, the result is 3.
Banker’s hand
The Banker receives his cards second. If the two cards the Banker receives total 7-9 points, no additional cards are drawn. If the total is less, he may receive one more card. This scenario is also possible if the Banker has a 3 and the Player has an 8, allowing the Banker to draw between 4 and 6 points.The Banker is considered to have some advantages because he receives his cards after the Player. This is why betting on the Banker is commonly believed to increase the chances of winning. The house edge in Baccarat for casinos stands at 1.06%. The Banker pays out winnings at a ratio of 1:1; however, bets on the Banker’s hand include an additional commission fee of 5%.
Player’s hand
The Player receives their cards first. If the cards total between 0 and 5 points, the Player receives one more card. Conversely, if the total is higher, no additional cards are drawn to him. When the Player’s total is 8-9 points, it is called a natural hand, which is the strongest value and beats other totals. Except for cases when one participant has 8 points, and the other has 9 points. Betting on the Player gives the casino a 1.24% edge, with a payout ratio of 1:1.
Rules for additional cards
The Baccarat casino game has many nuances, and in some cases, participants may receive additional cards, adding complexity to the process. When both the Banker and the Player have totals of 8 or 9 points, no additional cards are drawn, which is the most important rule without exceptions. However, this is not the only possible scenario. Other scenarios include:
- if the Player has 6-7 points, no additional card is drawn to him;
- if the Player has 8-9 points, the Banker may receive 5 or fewer points;
- if the Player has 5 or fewer points, an additional card is drawn for the Player.
If the Player draws an additional card, the Banker must also draw. The rules for the Banker’s additional cards are:
- with 0-2 points, the Banker always draws another card;
- with 3 points, the Banker draws if the Player’s third card is 2-7 points;
- with 5 points, the Banker draws if the Player’s third card is 4-7 points;
- with 6 points, the Banker draws if the Player’s third card is 6-7 points;
- with 7 points, the Banker does not draw an additional card.
After the playing cards have been dealt, the points of the Player and Banker are compared. The side with the higher total wins. If both totals are the same, it results in a Tie. After this, the dealer pays out the winnings, collects the cards, and a new round of baccarat begins.
Pattern recognition in the gambling game baccarat
To track how many wins each side has, scorecards are used. These scorecards are referred to as “Pattern Recognition.” You can easily use these tables during the game. Casinos may even provide sheets and pens to record the results. In baccarat online casinos, there are special windows that display the results of previous games.
The Big Road
“The Big Road” is used to record the sequence of wins by participants in the game. A tie in this method is marked with a green line that crosses the mark of the playing sides. The blue marker, located at the bottom right corner, indicates the Player’s win, while the red one on the left corner signifies the Banker’s win.
The pattern starts from the top left corner with the Player’s win. A blue dot marks this point. A new column begins each time there is a change in the Banker’s or the Player’s win. The table consists of 6 rows. If there are more than 6 consecutive wins, the score moves to the right, creating a “dragon tail.” This pattern is considered fundamental, and all other variations originate from it.
Small Road
To use this pattern, skip the column to the left of the previous pattern’s row. The column starts with the participant who won first. This method originates in the third column of the main pattern. Red circles indicate the same depth in the 1st and 3rd columns to the left of the newest column in the “Big Road.” Blue circles indicate a difference in depth.
The path, according to the “Small Road” pattern, moves two cells to the left and up. If the move causes changes, mark it with blue; if not, use red.
Big Eye Boy
This pattern is considered a complex statistical method of tracking winning bets. Red marks indicate repetitions, while blue marks indicate randomness in wins. It should be noted that these marks do not relate to monetary bets.
The table starts with the hand’s move from the first mark in the second row of the “Big Road.” All rows are based on results indicated in the main pattern. This pattern seems complex. To make it easier to understand, you need to study the last few results in the “Big Road.” Then, move one cell to the left and up. If there are no changes after the move, mark it in red; if changes appear, mark it in blue.
Scoreboards
Scoreboards are special boards used to track the hands of the Player, the Banker, and the Tie that has won in previous rounds of baccarat. They are marked with dice of different colors. Each color has its own meaning:
- blue – the Player wins;
- red – the Banker wins;
- green – both have won, which means a Tie.
This method starts from the top left corner of the board and moves downwards. When the marks reach the bottom, they continue from the right corner and go up.
Cockroach Pig
“Cockroach Pig” is the third road, skipping two columns to the left of the row in the main pattern. The count begins after the first mark located in the fourth column of the “Big Road.” This method compares the first and fourth columns to the left of the new row in the “Big Road.” A red circle marks the same depth, while a blue circle marks a difference.
To mark using this method, look at the last row in the “Big Road” and move three cells to the left and up. If there are no changes, mark it with red; if there are changes, use blue.
Is it worth using “Pattern Recognition”?
These methods are considered a very complex system. Gamblers tend to think that the early stages of a game influence subsequent rounds. But this is not quite true. There is no connection between previous and future rounds. The outcome of the previous round does not determine the next. This is why gambling establishments allow the use of scorecards or provide special windows with results. Recording results is permitted, but it does not influence the odds of winning in the long run. The appearance of “Pattern Recognition” is based on superstition and the feeling of control, which often manifests in gambling psychology.
Tips on how to play Baccarat
Baccarat has complex rules, but there are several recommendations that can help you better understand the game. Here are some rules to follow during the game:
- Determine a betting strategy. One option is a fixed bet, which means placing a specific amount of money on one player and sticking to this rule until the end of the game. Another option is to use a changing bet strategy, gradually increasing or decreasing bets based on the previous round’s outcome. For example, if the Banker has won several times in a row, you might place a higher bet on the other participant.
- Manage the money allocated for gaming. First, you need to determine the size of your bet. It should be small enough that a loss results in only a minor financial hit. Control your bankroll, and do not invest more than you planned.
- Choose the right version of baccarat. There are several different types of Baccarat. Read the rules and choose the one that suits you best for a more comfortable gaming experience.
- Make your first bet on the Banker. At the beginning of the baccarat casino game, it’s best to bet on the Banker since the winning percentage is over 50%. Stick with it until it lets you down.
- Be careful with mini-baccarat. It allows for minimal bets and is a faster version of the game. On average, gamblers can make up to 200 decisions per hour. Despite the low bets, this number of decisions can lead to significant losses.
- Manage your capital properly. If you are on a losing streak and several bets in a row fail, it’s better to stop playing or take a break. If you have won a significant amount of money, it’s recommended to leave the table. Continuing to play increases the risk of losing your winnings.
By following these rules, players can increase their chances of winning and avoid significant financial losses.
