Baccarat is one of the world’s most popular online casino games. Players are often drawn to it thanks to the low house edge and straightforward gameplay — though its association with the rich and famous also helps. You’ll learn more about that shortly.
If you want to start playing baccarat, you’ll first need to know the rules. This guide will help you do that, and it also provides several top tips for success.
The History of Baccarat
Like many classic casino games, baccarat’s origins and history are relatively murky. It’s hard to say precisely when and where it was first played. While some sources claim baccarat originated in 19th-century France, others say it was likely much older, introduced to France from Italy.
Although the game’s beginnings are uncertain, historical records show that it became hugely popular among the French nobility. Before France legalized casinos in 1907, gambling was arranged in private rooms and clubs, with baccarat being the most commonly played game.
It soon spread to other parts of the world. Today, baccarat is by far the most popular table game in Asian casinos, but it has also made it to Canada.
Versions of Baccarat
Perhaps unsurprisingly, for a game that’s been played for centuries, there are several different versions. Over the years, players and casinos have invented new rules and variations to make things more exciting.
The three main variants are as follows:
- Punto banco
- Chemin de fer
- Baccarat banque
These days, if you’re playing a baccarat casino game online, it will almost certainly be punto banco.
How Do You Play Baccarat?
At its heart, baccarat is a straightforward game — the hand closest to 9 wins. Although some forms offer side bets, players have three standard betting options before each hand:
- Player
- Banker
- Tie
Betting on the player is a bet that their own hand will win. However, you can also bet on the banker’s hand or that the game will be a tie, where both hands have an equal value.
In modern forms of baccarat, like punto banco, the casino dealer handles all the action. As such, the names “player” and “banker” have become largely irrelevant and are now used purely to denote which hand is which.
Card Values
After betting, both hands receive two cards each. Cards 2 through 9 retain their face value, while 10s, jacks, queens, and kings are all worth zero. Aces are worth one. A hand of J-8, for example, would be worth eight.
Hand values can only be single-digit scores. The second digit is used if the hand value exceeds ten. For example, 6-7 adds up to 13, making a baccarat score of three.
If either the player, banker, or both have an 8 or 9, the game ends automatically. If not, a third card is drawn in accordance with some preset rules.
Baccarat Third Card Dealing Rules
The rules of baccarat determine when a third card should be drawn. Luckily, the dealer will handle this on behalf of the table, so you don’t need to worry. However, it’s still a good idea to understand the rules.
The player’s third card is always drawn first, and the banker may also draw a card depending on the result of the draw.
- If the player’s hand totals five or less, the dealer will add a third card.
- The player stands with a total of six or seven.
- If the player stands, the banker follows the same two rules above. If not, the banker then draws according to its own score.
- Regardless of the player’s hand, the banker always draws a third card if their total is two or less.
- Where the banker’s total is three, draw a third card unless the player has a total of eight.
- If the banker’s total is four, draw a third card when the player’s third card is between 2 and 7.
- When the banker’s total is five, draw a third card if the player’s third card is between 4 and 7.
- If the banker’s total is six, draw a third card if the player’s third card is 6 or 7.
- When the player’s third card gives a total of seven, the banker will stand.
Tips for Success When Playing Baccarat
The outcome of a game of baccarat is based purely on the luck of the draw. There’s no way to influence what happens, as the third card is drawn according to a predetermined set of rules. However, by following these simple tips, you can still improve your chances of winning whenever you play baccarat:
Avoid the Tie Bet
Of the three betting options in baccarat, the tie always looks tempting. The standard +800 payout is undoubtedly much higher than the other two options, and some casinos offer even more significant payouts.
However, the house edge is much higher on a tie, too — unfortunately. Here’s a breakdown of the figures:
- Banker: 1.06%
- Player: 1.24%
- Tie: 14.36%
If you’re not sure how the house edge works, imagine this. Place 100 $1 bets on the banker, and regardless of your performance, the casino expects to retain $1.06, giving back $98.94. For the tie bet, those figures become $14.36 and $85.64.
As you can see, it doesn’t make sense to bet on a tie. Even if you guessed correctly once, it’s a horrible bet in the long run — one that will cost you plenty.
Play Responsibly
Responsible gambling is the key to success in any casino game, and baccarat is no different. You should always limit your bets to a small, fixed percentage of your overall bankroll to prevent going broke.
Never bet more than you can afford to lose. Set a budget before you play, and stop before you exceed that figure. If you find it hard to control your spending, use the deposit limits found within your online casino account.
Claim Loyalty Rewards
Whether you’re playing at a physical BetMGM property or an online live dealer baccarat table, make use of your loyalty rewards. The more you play, the greater the number of points you’ll accrue. These can be exchanged for all manner of bonuses and gifts to help stretch your bankroll further.
Know the Rules
Make sure to read the rules carefully before playing so you know how to bet effectively. That should go without saying, but you’d be surprised how many people jump in without a proper understanding of the game.
Beating Baccarat at BetMGM
Baccarat is known as a game for high-rollers and James Bond, but it’s fun for anyone to play. It’s easy to understand, and the low house edge gives you the best chance of success.
You can play baccarat for real money at BetMGM if you’re physically playing from Ontario, which is where BetMGM Canada is legally active.
Register at BetMGM and play baccarat today.
