Baccarat can be described as a game of style and elegance. It is played by those who want to add panache and sophistication to their game. Baccarat is one of the easiest games to play. It is one of the favourites of casino goers.
Every player likes to play a game of baccarat for its ease and style. The game is played using the 52-card deck. One usually employs 6 to 8 decks to play the game. The outcome of a round can be divided into three possibilities. Either the banker’s hand or the player’s hand can win. The third possibility is that of a tie.
The player can bet on any of the three outcomes and the result will decide the winner. The player and the banker have to reach a value closest to 9. Whoever reaches 9 first is the winner.
The Card Values in Baccarat are as Follows
Ace has a value of 1.
2-9 have a value the same as their numerical value.
10 to King has a value of 0.
Let us Now Understand the Baccarat Odds
Baccarat, as mentioned above revolves around 3 bets, the player, the banker and the tie. Each bet has its own set of odds.
Player Bet
lThe odds are 1:1. This bet involves betting on the player’s hand, if the player wins, you get even money on your bet.
Banker Bet
The odds here are again 1:1, there is usually a 5% commission. That said, the banker’s bet still has a lower house edge.
Tie Bet
The odds of the tie bet are 8:1 and 9. Since this bet has higher odds of winning, it has a higher reward. Getting a tie is relatively rare leading to a higher house edge.
How to Calculate the Baccarat House Edge
House edge represents the built-in advantage that the casino has over the player while the game is on. The house edge varies in baccarat depending on the bet.
Player Bet House Edge
This bet has a house edge of around 1.24%. Because of the lower house edge of the player’s bet, it is quite an attractive option for many players.
Banker Bet House Edge
It is around 1.06%. It has a lower house edge therefore it is statistically favourable to invest in it despite the 5% commission.
Tie Bet House Edge
This has a very high house edge of around 14%, thus, it is very risky to bet on.
Card Probabilities
One must understand the deck composition in a sound way to know the card probabilities. Baccarat is generally played with multiple decks. Usually, 6-8 decks of 52 cards each are used in a single game of baccarat. This adds to the complexity of the game and makes calculating card probabilities difficult.
You also have to understand the values of every card for better calculation.
The probability of the player’s hand winning is 44.62% whereas the banker’s bet has a probability of 45.87% to win.
Tie bet has a probability of approx. 9% of winning.
Maximisation of Baccarat Odds: Strategies
The banker’s bet has a better chance of winning, therefore, you should start with the banker’s bet to have a solid foundation for gameplay.
Go for progressive betting systems like Martingale or Fibonacci.
Manage Your Bankroll
You have to manage your bankroll wisely and effectively. You have to set limits on your budget and use effective money management strategies to manage your bankroll.
Make sure that you do not invest too much. The key to good betting is less bet and more play. This way you are stretching your money and keeping a stable pace.
Betting Patterns
You should try and understand betting patterns and recognise any specific peculiarities. You have to study multiple games in order to find out if there are any betting patterns and how they influence the game.
Although you would find patterns in betting, baccarat is a game of chance rather than a game of skill. It is therefore advisable to limit your bets based on the study of patterns.
Finishing Thoughts
Ultimately playing baccarat is based on a balance of both skill and chance. The more you play the game, the more you will be able to understand the odds. The way you play it, and you experience it will decide how you go about it.
Even if you study several different rule books on baccarat, finally you will understand your game from your own play.
As a matter of fact, baccarat had its origins in Italy. So, whenever you feel like having a slice of pizza, you may want to get yourself your smartphone or tablet to play a game of baccarat. Just sign up for an online casino and start playing!
Keep playing, keep dealing!
Please read the terms and conditions of the online casino carefully and wager responsibly in igaming.
