Playing Baccarat is
actually quite simple. The game itself is run by the
dealer. They deal you two cards, and the aim is to get a
score as close to nine as possible. All you have to do
is place your bet on who you think will win.
There are a few rules in place, so it’s crucial that you
understand them when you start playing Baccarat. Before
we dive into those rules headfirst, we just need to
cover the most important aspects of the game:
- Table Layout: The table is laid out
as an oval; there are normally spaces for 15
players, although this can change depending on the
version of the game. At each space, there is an
option to bet on the player, banker, or a tie. Some
games also offer side bets as well.
- Player, Banker, Tie: These are the
three betting options for players to choose from.
This is a bet on the player winning, the banker
winning, or the game ending in a draw respectively.
- Card Values: An Ace is worth 1 in
Baccarat, while cards numbered between 2 and 9 are
worth their face value. The 10, Jack, Queen, and
King are all worth 0.
- Third Card Rule: The third card
rule comes into play if the player has a total of
five or less. The banker will draw a third card,
depending on the players score and whether they have
taken a third card.
This card game plays out for online players in the
following way. Firstly, the dealer will deal two cards
to both the player and themselves — in online Baccarat,
these cards are face up. If the player has a score of 5
or less, they will be dealt another card. If the player
draws a third card, the banker will stand on a score of
6, otherwise, it will stand on a score of 7.
What’s most interesting about Baccarat is that if the
player score goes over 9, the number in the tens column
is removed. For example, a score of 17 would actually be
worth a score of 7. If a score of 8 or 9 is created with
just two cards, it’s known as a ‘natural’.
While players have access to three main bets (the player,
banker, and tie), there are also other side bets
available. The most common side bets are player pair or
banker pair. This essentially means that when the cards
are dealt out, the first two cards that are dealt out
(to either the player or banker) will be a pair.
An example of this would be if you place a side bet on a
player pair, and the player is dealt two Kings for their
initial hand, you will win this wager. There’s also
nothing to stop you placing a standard wager on the
game, or even placing more than one side bet at a time.
You can create any betting combination that you
like.
The player or banker pair side bet usually pays out odds
of 12/1, but some games can have different odds
depending on the rules that are in place. If you win
your side bet but lose your main wager, you will still
be paid — the wagers aren’t linked, so you don’t have to
worry if one of them doesn’t come in.
