One of the most fun casino games you can play is Baccarat. You do not need to spend hours studying complicated rules to play Baccarat, and difficult strategies such as card counting are unproductive. Each game follows a strict set of rules. Casino dealers are well versed in these rules, so there is no need to memorize them unless you want to. After playing several hands of Baccarat, you’ll be a pro.
The objective of Baccarat is to have the hand closer to a total of nine. Your hand will consist of two or three cards. Any hand that totals ten or more drops the first digit of the total, so you will never have a “bust” hand. For example, a hand total of 15 drops the first digit (1) and becomes a value of 5. Card values, not card suits, matter.
Baccarat card values are as follows:
King, Queen, Jack and tens have a value of zero.
Aces have a value of one.
All other cards have a value equal to their face value.
These are the steps for every Baccarat card game.
The Banker and Player are each dealt two cards.
If either the Banker’s or Player’s hand has a value of eight or nine, each player stands and does not take an additional card. An initial hand totaling eight or nine is called a “natural.” The game is over at this point.
If the Player’s hand totals six or seven, the player must stand.
If the Player stands on the initial two-card hand and the Banker’s hand totals five or less, the Banker draws a third card. The Banker must stand if his or her initial hand totals six or more.
If the Player’s initial hand totals five or less, the Player draws another card.
If the Player draws a third card, the Banker draws a third card depending on the following circumstances:
The Banker must draw a third card if his or her initial hand totals 0, 1 or 2.
If the Banker’s initial hand totals 3, the Banker takes another card if the Player’s third card has a value of 0 — 7 or 9. If the Player’s third card is an eight, the Banker is NOT required to draw a third card.
If the Banker’s initial hand totals four, he or she must draw a third card if the Player’s third card has a value between 2 and 7.
If the Banker’s initial hand totals five, he or she must draw a third card if the Player’s third card has a value between 4 and 7.
If the Banker’s initial hand totals 6 and the Player’s third card is a six or seven, the Banker draws a third card.
If the Banker’s initial hand has a value of seven, the Banker must stand.
Baccarat is a game of pure luck, and whether you bet on your own hand or the Banker’s hand makes little difference. Do not bet on a tie hand, however, because the house has a distinct advantage in this bet. The best way to win at Baccarat is to use your common sense and enjoy the game!
I don’t gamble very much anymore. But when I do, it’s usually at the baccarat tables. It’s harder to find them these days, and of course most of the tables have pretty high stakes.
I do think it’s a good sign that many casinos have taken the tables out because of the losses.
I play using a basic Martingale progressive betting system, which of course can work well with a little luck. Has anyone found a better method?