If you’re new to baccarat, you might think it’s completely random. It appears that the dealer is randomly dealing cards to the banker and player.
Baccarat, on the other hand, is one of the simplest table games. To begin, you don’t have to know anything about it.
In fact, you can become a baccarat expert in just 10 minutes—roughly the time it takes to read this post. The following suggestions will assist you in quickly mastering this game.
Mini Baccarat is King
Baccarat is available in two variants: “big” and “mini.” Big baccarat is played on a large table (as well the name) with 12 to 14 players.
Each player gets a turn as the dealer, which adds a unique twist to this version. It also enables you to manipulate the cards.
Mini baccarat is played on a smaller table with seven players, similar to a blackjack table. It does not allow players to act as the bank and instead has the dealer handle everything, from dealing to deciding who wins.
In terms of stakes, mini baccarat is much more accommodating to players. It only requires a ₱250 to ₱500 minimum bet
Mini baccarat is much more popular than big baccarat due to its lower stakes and simple gameplay. You’ll almost certainly be sitting at a mini table if you play this game.
THREE MAIN BETS
Some table games, such as craps and roulette, have a wide variety of bets. You might feel overwhelmed attempting to sort through all of these different wagers.
Mini baccarat is the polar opposite in this regard, as it only has three main bets. As long as you understand these wagers, you’ll be able to get started with baccarat in no time.
The three main bets are as follows:
- Banker hand – A wager that the banker will outscore the player; pays 1:1.
- Player hand – A wager that the player will outscore the banker; pays 1:1.
- Tie bet – A wager on the banker and player hands tying; pays 8:1 or 9:1.
Each of these bets will be available in your section of the table. You place your chips in one of the designated areas to play a mini-baccarat hand.
Baccarat Strategy Is Quite Simple
Baccarat is a very simple game to learn. Its strategy is also very simple.
First and foremost, here are the RTP figures for each of the above-mentioned bets:
Banker = 98.94% RTP
Player = 98.76%
Tie = 85.64% (8-to-1 payout) or 95.16% (9-to-1 payout)
As you can see, the banker bet has the highest payout percentage of all. Even after a 5% commission is deducted from winnings, it provides 98.94% RTP. So long as you bet on the banker’s hand, you’ll be using perfect strategy.
If you want to mix things up, the player bet is a good option. However, there is no compelling reason to favor the player side over the banker.
However, you may become bored and want to place a different bet. If this is the case, the player side is unquestionably superior to the tie bet.
The tie bet is one of the most dangerous bets in all of gambling. With 8-to-1 payouts, it only wins 9.5% of the time and delivers only 85.16% RTP.
Side Bets Are Available
When compared to other casino games, baccarat has a wide range of side bets. If your primary goal is to profit, I do not recommend placing side bets. After all, the majority of these bets have a low RTP.
If you’re just looking to have some fun with baccarat, you might want to look into the side bets. After all, these bets typically pay out large sums. More information on popular baccarat side bets can be found below.
Dragon Bonus (Banker and Player)
You can place the Dragon Bonus bet either on the banker (90.63% RTP) or the player (97.35%) side. Given the payout percentages, the player bet is clearly superior.
In either case, your chosen side must win by at least four points with a natural (8 or 9). The payout is proportional to the margin of victory.
Here are the payouts for both the banker and the player:
- 9 points (margin) = 30-to-1 payout
- 8 points = 10 to 1
- 7 points = 6 to 1
- 6 points = 4 to 1
- 5 points = 2 to 1
- 4 points = 1 to 1
- 3 points or less = Loss
Drawing Rules Get Tricky
You can stop reading this guide several minutes in and already know everything you need to know about baccarat. If you’re interested in the complexities of this game, you should learn about the drawing rules.
The most difficult aspect is how the banker and player draw for a third card. But only if you understand how drawing works will you be considered an expert. The various scenarios for when the player and banker receive a third card are shown below.
Conclusion
If you’ve succeeded in getting this far, you’re a true baccarat master. You now understand the main bets, the perfect strategy, hand scoring, drawing rules, and how loyalty rewards are distributed.
In terms of getting started with baccarat, the bets are the most important. You can execute flawless strategy if you stick to the banker bet.
When it comes to understanding the game, the scoring and drawing rules are crucial. This knowledge allows you to comprehend what is going on.
Baccarat is not as difficult to learn as blackjack or craps. You’ll need more time to learn the nuances of craps and blackjack.
