A guide to playing Baccarat online

When it comes to table games at online casinos, it seems that blackjack and roulette often take the limelight. Baccarat is therefore often overlooked by many, but it has to be counted as one of the most integral games found at any good casino – online or land-based – and it is certainly enjoyed by a huge number of players the world over. This is probably because it’s such an easy game to play, but the potential prizes don’t reflect its simplicity!

If you’ve not tried baccarat before, it’s certainly a game you should test out soon, especially if you prefer table games to the other games found at online casinos, such as slots and video poker. Unlike in land-based casinos, you don’t need a huge bankroll to play baccarat online either, as tables are available at a variety of different stakes. You’re almost certain to find baccarat in one form or another at your preferred online casino, so why not play it today?

A Brief History of Baccarat

The history of baccarat stretches back to the 1400s, when it was first played in Italy. It’s thought that the inventor was a man called Felix Falguerein, who initially used tarot cards, but then switched to using a standard 52-card deck. The game’s popularity exploded when it was introduced in France though, during which time it was referred to as Chemin de Fer. This game spawned a variation called Baccarat en Banque, which was played by those in French high society. To this day, baccarat is still seen as a game for the richer people in society (although this certainly isn’t the case with the online game).

Baccarat came to America in the 19^th century, however didn’t take off immediately. It became popular in Cuba though, where a variation called punto banco became popular. This version of the game is still found at many casinos to this very day. This version of baccarat then made a return to the USA in the 1960s, and was immediately popularised in casinos in Las Vegas. Punto banco is still the preferred form of the game in the USA, although standard baccarat is preferred in other parts of the world, including the UK.

The internet really caused baccarat to become popular though, as it allowed players to play from the comfort of their own home. What’s more, it also took away the restrictive stakes, which had previously stopped most people from playing the game. Now it’s possible to play baccarat at micro-stakes, ensuring that absolutely everyone can play this exciting game online!

How to play Baccarat

Baccarat is an incredibly easy game to play, and there is no skill involved at all. This means that newcomers to the game can start playing straightaway, and still have the same chance as more experienced players to win money.

The only decision you have to make in a game of baccarat comes before the cards are dealt. You can decide to bet on the player or the banker, or on a tie. If you choose to bet on the player and win, you’ll receive a prize worth 1:1. Betting on the banker also sees the same prize offered, however the house usually takes a 5% commission. Because the player and the banker have the same chances of winning, it therefore makes sense to always choose to bet on the player over the banker. Betting on a tie usually offers returns of 8:1, however the odds of this happening are slim, so more experienced players avoid betting on a tie.

Once you’ve predicted the winner, the player and the banker will be dealt two cards, both face up. The object of the game is to then get a score as close to nine as possible. All cards carry their face values, aside from tens through to kings – these are all worth zero. Should the sum of the cards add up to more than nine, only the final digit is used. For example, a hand that adds up to 15 would be worth 5.

After the two cards are dealt, the player’s hand will get an extra card if it totals five or less. If it totals more than five, no extra card is dealt. Whether the banker gets another card or not depends on the value of the player’s hand, as well as the value of the cards in the banker’s hand. You’ll be able to find the rules surrounding the cards dealt to the banker at the specific game of baccarat you’re playing.

You will then find out if you’ve made the correct prediction or not. If you’ve guessed correctly, the money will be paid straight into your online casino account, and if you haven’t, you’ll just have to try again! Baccarat games play out quickly though, so you’ll be able to start a new hand straightaway!