New to online baccarat? One thing you will like is the vast range of baccarat games you can play at leading US online casinos. Join us as we explore the different variations and their unique features.
Baccarat is a popular game that you can find in all online casinos. Though it is commonly associated with the rich class, you can play online without depositing money. It's popular for featuring in several bestselling books and blockbuster movies like James Bond.
Unlike in the past, when there was only one type of baccarat, modern casinos offer numerous types of baccarat games. Each variant has a unique design and varying features. Besides, baccarat attracts many people because of the straightforward rules.
Our hand guide will help you understand the various baccarat games you can play and their guiding rules. Read till the end to find other relevant information.
What is Baccarat?
Baccarat is a simple traditional card game played with 2 to 3 cards. As a game of chance, there is nothing you can do to influence the outcome. This game is played between two hands, the banker and the player.
This table game originated in the mid 19th century in France before spreading across the world. The goal in baccarat is to predict the hand that will be close to or equal to 9. Please note that the objective of the game is the same, regardless of the variant you are playing.
How to Play Baccarat?
It is recommended to understand the rules of every game before you start playing. With baccarat, the rules are quite straightforward. You don't have to master complicated strategies to know how to play baccarat online or in land-based casinos.
Before playing, you need to understand that there are three bets, the banker, the player, and a tie bet. A standard game uses 6 to eight decks of cards. The two hands that you can choose at the beginning of the game are the banker's hand and the dealer's hand.
What Are the Different Types of Baccarat Games?
The type of baccarat games will vary from one online casino to another. Some casinos offer multiple variations, while others stick to only a few types. In this section, we have provided all the popular baccarat variations you can find in major US casinos. These games are:
Punto Banco
Punto Banco is one of the oldest and most popular baccarat variations. This game was initially created by Argentinian casinos before it was introduced in the US in the 1950s. It is still a favorite game to high rollers and players on a budget.
Many variants have borrowed its name though the features are different. Cards in punto banco are rearranged 8, 6, or 4 decks of 52-card decks. It starts with the player and the banker getting two cards, and a third card is only drawn if none of them has a hand value close to 9 or 8.
Chemin De Fer Baccarat
Chemin De Fer is a French version of baccarat that attracts a huge fan base. It is dealt with 6 decks of cards on a wide table, and players bet against each other. The player who is responsible for dealing cards is referred to as a 'banker,' and the rest of the players are 'punters.'
After dealing cards, the banker places a bet which acts as the maximum limit and must match other players' wagers to his amount. The game follows a clockwise direction on the table, and players must decide the amount they are willing to stake without exceeding the banker's limit.
The player that scores the highest bet becomes the one to act on behalf of others. Going forward, the banker deals two hands face down, one for him and the other for the representing player. In case a natural 8 or 9 occurs, the hands are compared, and the winner is determined.
Baccarat En Banque
While Baccarat Banque is common in European casinos, you can find it also in top US gambling venues and platforms. This variant is played with three decks of cards. However, baccarat en Banque varies from others as the rules are decided by the casino.
In this casino game, a banker is determined before the cards are dealt, and the position is permanent. The baccarat en Banque table can hold up to ten players. Once the punters make their bets, the banker deals three cards. The first card is dealt to the player on the right, the second card to the player on the left, and the third card to himself. Three more cards are dealt in the same way.
Mini Baccarat
Mini baccarat is another widely played casino game. Though this game follows the rules of punto banco, it varies as it uses a single croupier. As the name suggests, you play a smaller table than other variants of baccarat. This is one of the most played casino games because of its fast-paced action. In some cases, you can witness up to 200 hands played in an hour or less.
Three Card Baccarat
Three card baccarat is a very famous casino game in Macau casinos. Many gamblers who cannot afford to join high roller tables prefer this variant. The most appealing thing about this game is the option to wager on any total for the dealer's hand. The bets are placed on individual divisions in this game.
Super 6 Baccarat
Super 6 baccarat is one of the easiest casino table games to play. The one slight difference between this variant and other games is in the payment structure and not the rules. Moreover, even money is paid on winning banker bets. But the situation changes when the banker wins with 6 where the pay is 50%. This variant is also known as Punto 2000 at some online casinos.
EZ Baccarat
EZ is a popular traditional version of baccarat. Many casinos in the US offer this variant than regular baccarat games. In EZ Baccarat, there is a banker bet and player bet, and players are free to wager on either of them.
More exciting about this game is that it's easy and fast to play. To start, two hands are dealt, and each hand gets two cards. Even money is paid on both winning banker bets except when the banker wins with a total of 7 after drawing the third card.
No Commission Baccarat
The fact is that casinos take a 5% commission on every winning banker bets in baccarat games. However, no commission baccarat ignores this rule by not deducting any percentage out of your winnings. This way, players enjoy a prolonged house edge over the casino. This is one of the reasons many people are attracted to this variant. Nevertheless, the rules of this baccarat variation are adjusted so the house can retain its advantage.
Which Baccarat Game is the Best?
It's pretty difficult to decide which baccarat game is the best. The best version will vary depending on what you are looking for. Also, it depends on whether you are playing at brick-and-mortar casinos or online casinos.
If you are looking for low stake baccarat games, you should try mini-baccarat, which accepts a minimum of $5 per hand. But if you prefer high stake games, you can choose VIP Baccarat games that accept a minimum bet amount of $100.
Tips for Winning in Baccarat Games
Are you wondering how people have been successful in playing baccarat games? We've shared secrets and tips you can apply to any variant and increase your winning opportunities.
- Always set your win and loss limits and stick to them.
- The banker bet is the most efficient wager regardless of the baccarat variation.
- Start with wagering on the low house edge bets.
- Master the optimal baccarat strategy.
- Never depend on tie bets.
- Start with the low table limit games.
- Stick with the player bet until it loses.
- Take advantage of the baccarat offers.
- Learn bankroll management skills beforehand.
- Never chase your losses in baccarat games.
Conclusion
Baccarat is now available in different variations, thanks to modern technology. These games are available in land-based casinos as well as internet-based platforms. The best part is that you can play baccarat at live casinos against real human punters.
As we've stated earlier, none of the variations is better than the other. They are designed to meet the tests and preferences of different people. You can play baccarat in any format you like, and if you are lucky, you could win big prizes. Make sure you read and understand the underlying rules of each variation before playing, whether for fun or real money.