Card games are exciting as they require competing with other players and offer chances of winning real funds. Baccarat remains one of the top options for American punters. It requires much luck and little skill as players try to get the hand of cards closer to 9 without going beyond. Our post today will discuss the online Baccarat game, how to play it, and the common versions of the game online.
What is Baccarat? How does it work?
Baccarat is a card game that started in the 19th century, and it involves comparing hands to know who holds the card pairs closest to 9. Players receive two cards from the banker, and they place bets based on their belief in the pairs they have. You must drop a card if your pairs exceed 9 in total, and the outcome of each round can either be banker, tie, or player, depending on who won.
Meanwhile, Baccarat comes in variants, and the game stands out because wealthy individuals play it. However, it has spread online, and Americans can play the game in any online casino listed on Stakers’ best US casino rankings online. Another reason for its popularity is the low house edge, meaning players get most of their winnings.
How to play baccarat
Playing Baccarat is easy as you aim to form a pair of hands closest to 9 than the banker’s. It is similar to blackjack, just that the aim is 9 instead of Blackjack’s 21. However, ensure you understand the hand values and the game rules before proceeding with the steps below.
- Log into your online baccarat account and select your preferred variant of this card game.
- Wager on either the Banker or Player.
- Both you and the banker will receive two cards each.
- The game ends if any player or the banker has a hand that equals 9. However, another round of cards are dealt, this time, one each.
- If your card is below five, you will receive another card, but if it exceeds 9, you must drop one card to make the total less than 9.
- After the new cards are given, the closer hands to 9 won.
Baccarat Rules/Hands Values
Whether you’re playing poker, baccarat, or trying the newest slot machines, it is crucial to know the rules. Now, let us look at some rules and valuation of various hands in Baccarat.
- Cards 2-9 are worth the face value. 4 is 4, and 7 is 7.
- The Jack, King, Queen, and 10 are worth zero.
- The Ace – Worth One.
- The highest acceptable hand is 9.
- If your card total exceeds 9, only the unit value is counted. This means 13 total is valued as 3 and 12 Total is 2.
- A third card may be issued depending on the player’s hands.
Common Variants of Baccarat
The following are the three common variants of Baccarat. However, you might come across some other versions while playing online.
Punto Banco: Players play against the Banker, the online casino. The banker bears the financial risks and pays the winner. It is played with 8 decks of cards, and players can pick additional cards if their total is below 5.
Chemin de fer: Players wager against each other here while they take turns to be the banker. The player, who is the banker, shoulders the financial risk and pays the winner. It is played with 6 decks of cards, and each player receives two cards in each round.
Baccarat Banque: Players take turns to be the banker while they bet against each other. However, the banker has no extra financial burden as the casino carries this. It’s played with 3 decks of cards.
Conclusion
Baccarat is an exciting card game that is easy to learn. While many believe it requires your skills, we believe luck does most of the work, as you can’t determine what card will be issued to you. In all, you will have a great time playing any version of this game.
