Betting Guide: Baccarat

By WynnBET Staff
June 16, 2023

Many casino games derive their names from their best outcomes, like getting a “blackjack” or a score of 21 in blackjack (also called 21). However, baccarat takes its moniker from its worst hand possible - the “baccarat,” which is Italian for zero.

Despite its unconventional naming scheme, baccarat has drawn beginners and veterans due to its straightforward rules, high odds of winning, big payouts, and rich history.

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We’ve prepared a handy guide to help newbies dip their toes into baccarat, and pros sharpen their understanding of this beloved casino game.

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The History Of Baccarat

Welcome to the enthralling saga of baccarat, a game rich in history and intrigue. Let’s journey to the origins of this timeless card game and follow its evolution through the annals of time, from its humble beginnings to its place in modern-day casinos.

Back To The Beginning

Like most card games, baccarat or baccara has its roots in the ancient past. However, its origin remains a topic of debate. Some believe baccarat drew inspiration from games like Pai Gow in China. In contrast, others think it was from Tarrochi in Italy.

There are many speculations about where exactly baccarat originated from. Still, everyone can agree that throughout history, baccarat has always captured the people's attention – from royalty to the general public.

Baccarat In The USA

Similar to its origin, there are also different claims about when baccarat crossed the Atlantic and found its way to America.

Nevertheless, many historians believe the first baccarat game played in an American gambling establishment was in 1911. This statement is supported by recognized authors and card game experts.

The Evolution Of Baccarat

Baccarat has undergone various iterations, from the refined Chemin de Fer in 19th century France, where players wager against each other for the highest score, to Punto Banco. In this variation, gamblers bet against the dealer by scoring a hand as close to 9 as possible.

Popularity Of Baccarat

With its beginner-friendly rules, fairly balanced odds, and low house edge, baccarat remains a mainstay in in-person and online casinos.

Baccarat’s popularity is especially evident in Asian countries like Macau, which owes 80% of its casino profits to baccarat.

Baccarat Today

While baccarat has a long and cloudy history, it continues to be a popular game, exciting millions of new and seasoned players.

Virtual Baccarat

One of the many impressive aspects of baccarat is its accessibility. Almost all casinos offer baccarat games, but you can play them virtually at home too!

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Is Baccarat A Hard Game?

Baccarat isn’t difficult to understand. In fact, it’s known for its simplicity, with many claiming it's a game of pure luck and no skill like craps.

There are rules you must learn and strategies to consider, but there’s nothing to feel intimidated about.

Is Baccarat Like Poker?

Poker and baccarat are both card games. However, their similarities end there. These two casino games have distinct rules and strategies from each other.

For example, in terms of what it takes to win the game, it’s like comparing a stroll on a beach with a mountain climbing expedition.

In baccarat, the rules are straightforward: you only need a better hand than the dealer.

However, to win in poker, you need to beat every player's hand by having a better combination of cards, like a royal flush, straight flush, four-of-a-kind, full house, straight, three-of-a-kind, two pairs, one pair, or high card.

The Ultimate Guide To Playing Baccarat At Online Casinos

Whether you’re a newbie eager to learn the ropes or an experienced gambler looking to up your game, this ultimate guide will be your companion. Let’s dive into the world of virtual baccarat!

How To Play Baccarat:

The baccarat game's goal is simple: You must guess whether the player’s hand wins, the banker's hand wins, or you tie.

Winning means having the highest hand total, with 9 being the best possible outcome.

Reading The Trends

While many consider baccarat a game of chance like roulette, you can still boost your chances of a big payout by changing your strategies. One technique is understanding the trends that may appear while you play.

Here are some patterns you must keep an eye on:

ZigZag Zone: Picture a back-and-forth dance between the player and the banker, flipping wins consecutively.
The Streaky Bankers and Players: This is a trend where the results are mainly one-sided. For instance, you win six hands in a row, followed by the banker’s hand winning five.
Trend Switching: Patience is key here, as the scoreboard can show a player's streak followed by a zigzag pattern, then the player winning consecutively again.
Hovering State: Brace yourself for a baccarat game where no distinct pattern or trend emerges.

Gambler's Fallacy (Regression To The Mean)

A common pitfall in casino table games is the gambler’s fallacy. You’ll know you’ve fallen for this trap if you think a streak of losses means your next hand will win. Unfortunately, each round at the baccarat table is its own independent thing.

Enter regression to the mean. This statistical phenomenon suggests extreme outcomes like streaks tend to “even out” over time. In other words, you’ll eventually have the same number of wins as the dealer, even if they have a long win streak during the game.

However, there’s no magic formula for winning in baccarat. You must know when to get up and leave.

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Baccarat Traditions

Baccarat is a casino card game steeped in tradition, and it makes sense for those conventions, such as the table layout, betting etiquette, and dress code, to be followed at the table.

If you’re playing online, however, you’ll find that some customs, like needing to dress up, are no longer followed and are replaced with others.

For example, seats 4, 13, or 14 are often missing because the number four is considered unlucky in Chinese culture.

Online baccarat uses six decks of cards instead of the eight land-based casinos traditionally used. While the virtual version of baccarat attempts to replicate the game as accurately as possible, online casinos offer other variations.

Betting With The Big Player

If you’re a small bettor among high rollers, it’s customary to stick with the one wagering big. However, this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule; you can always go with your gut.

Squeezing

Squeezing involves gradually revealing your card’s value instead of simply looking at it. While this beloved tradition amps up the thrill factor, it won’t magically boost your chances of winning.

Turning The Cards

In baccarat, the initial two cards the dealer gives you are face down. It’s a tradition that their true identities remain a mystery until all draw decisions are complete.

Blowing On The Cards And Verbalizations

Blowing on the deck or at your cards before you look is one of the fascinating baccarat traditions, as it doesn’t follow any logical reason but superstition. Chinese players primarily practice this custom to ward off unlucky numbers.

Baccarat Drawing Rules

The drawing rules in baccarat determine when you and the banker must take additional cards. Here’s a breakdown:

A “natural” occurs when the player or the banker cards total 8 or 9; no further cards are drawn.
If your hand scores between 0 and 5, you must draw an additional card.
If the player’s third card results in a hand total of 6 or 7, they stand (won't draw additional cards).
If you don’t need a third card, the dealer draws a card when their sum is 0-5 and stands on 6 or 7.

How To Bet On Baccarat

When betting in baccarat, simplicity is the name of the game. You have three choices: the player wins, the banker wins, or you tie.

Here are a couple of critical points you must consider when making your betting decision:

Winning a player or dealer bet gives you a payout of 1:1 or “even money.” Most casinos will deduct your winning bets by 5% as commission.
Tie bets pay out at 8:1 or 9:1 odds, depending on the baccarat table and the casino. While that may sound enticing, statistics show that a tie bet happens only once every 11 hands on average.

Baccarat Betting Advice

Some players use betting systems like the Martingale system, where you double your bet until you have a winning hand. However, there aren’t any foolproof betting strategies that will help you get a big payout.

Consider these pieces of advice on baccarat betting:

Winning banker bets have the highest probability of happening, with the lowest house edge (the casino’s built-in advantage) of around 1%.
The player bet is statistically the second most favorable bet. Unfortunately, it has a slightly higher house advantage than the banker bet, at around 1.25%.
The tie bet is considered the worst, with the highest house edge at around 15%.

How Points Are Calculated

Calculating your points in baccarat is straightforward and follows a simple set of rules, such as:

Cards 2 to 9 in each suit hold their face value. For example, a number 2 card is worth two points.
Special face cards like 10, jack, queen, and king are worth zero.
Aces are worth one point.
When a hand total reaches 10, only the number on the right or in the “ones” place is calculated. A hand of 15 (a 9 and 6) is scored as 5.

Baccarat Score Card

Scorecards in baccarat, which are typically 100-page paper notepads, are how players keep track of their scores and spot win-loss tie trends. While most consider scorecards unnecessary for play, some consider them essential for strategizing.

Basic Baccarat Terminology

Learning baccarat terms can significantly benefit you, including enhancing your understanding of the game’s rules and improving communication with the dealer and other players.

Here are some terms you’re likely to encounter in a game of baccarat:

Baccarat

Baccarat is the game's name and the worst possible hand you can get.

Banco

Banco is an alternative way to refer to the banker or the dealer.

Banker Bet

A banker bet is a wager predicting that the banker wins.

Banque

Banque is a baccarat version wherein three decks of cards are used, and the banker stays in position until they lose.

Caller

The caller is the person responsible for announcing the cards during the game.

Carte

This is another way to ask for an additional card.

Chemin De Fer

The traditional variation of baccarat wherein players battle against each other instead of a dealer.

Commission

This refers to the service fee charged by the casino on player and banker bets.

Coup

A coup is a round of play in baccarat.

Cut

A cut refers to the action of dividing the deck after shuffling and then combining again.

Dealer

The dealer or croupier is the individual who distributes the cards during the game.

Discard Tray

The discard tray is where the cards that have been discarded are placed.

Down Card/Hole Card

This card is dealt face-down.

Dragon Bonus

This refers to a popular side bet that allows you to bet on the player winning by a large margin.

Face Cards

Face cards are cards with portraits, such as jacks, queens, and kings.

Flat Bet

A bet that remains the same regardless of whether the hand wins or loses is a flat bet.

Ladderman

The ladderman refers to one of the three dealers managing the baccarat game.

La Grande

An alternative way to refer to a natural hand with nine points is called la grande.

La Petite

La petite is another way of calling a natural hand with eight points.

Mini Baccarat

Mini baccarat is a game variation with fewer players and lower betting limits.

Monkey

This refers to a ten card.

Natural

A natural refers to a hand total of 8 or 9.

Palette

A palette is a long wooden stick used by dealers to move cards at the table.

Player

This is a bet wagering on the player's side to win the game.

Punto

Another term referring to the player is punto.

Punto Banco

Punto Banco also refers to baccarat.

Push

Push is another way to refer to a tie between the player and the banker.

Run

This is a betting option that lets you wager on multiple hands.

Shoe

This refers to the container holding the card decks.

Shooter

This is another term referring to the banker.

Skill

A skill is a joke made when a player is enjoying a winning streak.

Standoff

A standoff is a tie between the player and the dealer, resulting in neither a win nor a loss.

Super Pan Nine

This is a baccarat version where a hand of three sevens and two eights is the best possible outcome.

Tie

This is a bet predicting that the player and the dealer will have the same total points at the end of a round.

Upcard

An upcard is dealt face-up.

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