While many say baccarat has French origins, some scholars say it’s a casino game with Italian roots. Whatever its history, there’s no denying the game’s appeal and growth through the years. Baccarat is a classic offering in many Pennsylvania casinos, and it’s now available in different variants offered by leading game providers. Here, we review the basics of baccarat rules, the types of bets, and the odds of winning.
How to Play Baccarat – Breakdown of a Round
Baccarat is one casino game that doesn’t require advanced skills, knowledge, or sophisticated strategy. As two playing cards are handed out, you aim to correctly guess who gets the best score, according to the game’s rules, between the Banker and the Player.
You can also wager that the results are a ‘Tie,’ which means both hands get the same point.
In a way, its gameplay has similarities with blackjack, but it’s easier. So don’t worry if you’re just a beginner at baccarat online.
Check this step-by-step guide on how to play for real money in your preferred PA casino.
1. Learn baccarat rules
Potentially winning a baccarat game starts by knowing its rules, types of bets, and odds. In RNG baccarat or even the live casino variant, you’re just wagering on three possible outcomes: the Player, Banker, or a Tie.
Therefore, it’s essential that you also know the differences in odds among these three baccarat betting options.
2. Fund your Balance
Yes, you’ll need to fund your account to start playing in the real money mode. You’ll find multiple payment methods in top Pennsylvania casinos, from e-wallets, bank transfers, or even Bitcoin and crypto.
3. Place your bets
You will notice three betting sections on the betting table: the Bank, Player, and Tie. Don’t get confused by the available bets, since you’re just wagering which among the Banker or Player has the best point or if the two hands end up with the same point value.
Online baccarat tables feature varying betting limits. But remember only to bet an amount you can afford to lose.
4. The Dealer will now deal the cards
After collecting all bets on the table, the baccarat game begins, and the Dealer deals the cards. In baccarat rules, both the Player and the Banker get two cards each.
5. The Dealer counts the dealt cards
With the playing cards on the table, the Dealer then counts the values for the Banker and the Player.
Many Pennsylvania casinos require the drawing of the third card to the Player. It happens automatically if the value of the first two cards is less than ‘5’. There’s an exemption if the ‘Bank’ has an ‘8’ or ‘9’, and if that’s the case, the house wins.
6. Payouts
Identifying the payouts is the final leg in an online baccarat game. Your payout in baccarat online depends on the amount you wager and the type of baccarat bet you play.
For example, a winning Player’s bet pays 1:1, and a winning Tie bet pays 9:1 or 8:1 in some Pennsylvania casinos.
7. Keep in mind that the Dealer will take a commission as well
A winning Banker’s bet earns a 5% commission for the house in baccarat.
Master the Rules of Baccarat
The player’s success in baccarat or any casino game starts with understanding the rules. The good news is that baccarat rules are simple and easy to follow.
Read on and find out what makes baccarat online an exciting casino game to play for all players, beginners included.
The Objective
Your aim as a player is to wager on whether the Banker or the Player has the highest point. If the odds are on a ‘Tie,’ both hands have the same value. The magic number is ‘9’ or close to this number in baccarat.
Card Values
What exactly “Baccarat” means
The word ‘baccarat’ means zero in Italian, and many writers suggest that this is the etymology of the game’s name.
Important terms you need to know
You can fully enjoy baccarat game if you know the common terms used on the betting table.
| TERM | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| Baccarat | This is a traditional casino game where players bet on the Banker, Player, or a Tie. |
| Bankroll | It’s the amount of money the player is willing to wager on the baccarat betting table. |
| Caller | This person calls out the cards and total points at the end of each round. |
| Coup | This is a French term that refers to a round of baccarat. |
| Down card | In baccarat, this is the hole card or face-down card. |
Rule Variations
Like many table games, the baccarat game is also playable in different variants. While the aim for all variants remains the same, there are slight variations in rules that you should know.
In Pennsylvania casinos, Punto Banco, Mini-Baccarat, Chemin de fer, and Baccarat Banque are the four most popular variants of the game. These exciting baccarat variants differ in the number of players and decks of playing cards used.
Types of Bets in Baccarat
Beginners and casual players will love baccarat for its simple yet exciting gameplay.
Unfortunately, there are only three main betting options. But if you play some top games from leading game vendors like Playtech, NetEnt, and Evolution, there’s an option to play several exciting side bets.
You can use a few baccarat betting strategies to maximize the games’ potential fully.
1. Bet on a player
You’re wagering that the Player’s hand gets the highest point.
2. Bet on a banker
Here, you’re putting our money on the Banker. In baccarat rules, the casino takes a 5% commission on a winning bet.
3. Pairs
Most baccarat online variants allow you to bet on a pair.
- Player pair
- Banker pair
- Perfect pair
4. Tie
A Tie is one of the three main betting options in baccarat online, and it pays 8:1.
5. Big hand
The player wins this bet with five cards on the table, and at least one player holds a third card.
6. Small hand
If no bettor has a third card with four cards on the table, the player gets a payout.
7. Minimum/maximum bets
In top Pennsylvania casinos, players will find different baccarat games to play. For example, you’ll encounter the Mini Baccarat and Full Baccarat table. We recommend that you play at a Mini Baccarat table if you’re starting.
Other Baccarat side bets:
- 3 Card Wins – You win with three cards.
- 3 Giving 8 – The bettor wins if the Dealer starts with three, and the player draws an eight for the third card.
- 4-5-6 – A winning bet based on three cards.
- 5 Treasures – A popular side bet with five specific wagers like Fortune 7.
- All Red/Black – You’re wagering that the player’s cards are in the same color.
- Banker Streak – The bet wins if the Banker collects at least four consecutive wins.
- Big and Small – These bets win based on the number of playing cards on the table.
- Big Tiger – The Banker wins with six with three cards.
- Bad Beat Baccarat – This side bet wins if one card beats the other with just one point.
- Contrast Bonus Baccarat – The side bet wins if the Banker and Player’s cards are of opposite colors.
- Even/Odd – The side bet wins if the cards are odd or even.
- Golden Frog – Another famous side wager with four specific side bets.
- Kill the Ox/Tiger – This baccarat side bet awards a payout of 30:1.
- Ox 6 – You earn a payout if the Player has a total of six from three cards.
- Small Tiger – You get a payout if the Banker wins with six using two cards.
- Royal 9 – A winning side bet that features a royal and nine.
- Side Totals – This refers to a collection of 20 baccarat side bets.
- Tiger – If the Banker wins with two or three cards with six, you collect a payout.
- Tiger Pair – Banker gets a pair for the first two cards.
These are just some exciting side bets to play on the baccarat table. You can check the game’s paytable to learn more about the side bets specific to the variant.
The Drawing rules in Baccarat
In mastering baccarat, it’s essential that you also know the basics of the drawing rules of the game. For example, the Banker draws another card if the hand’s value is ‘3’ or less. You can check out the table below for your guide on the drawing rules of baccarat.
The odds and payouts of Baccarat
Knowing the odds and payouts in the baccarat game is also essential to improving your chances of winning. Yes, there are only three main betting options, but they vary substantially in payouts and odds of winning. Among the bets, the Banker offers the best odds at 0.458597. But the casino will take a 5% commission on your winning bet. So before you start wagering in real money, make sure to check out the table below.
Like in other casino games, the house edge is an essential factor that can shape your fortune online. The house edge is the operator’s advantage, and among the three main baccarat bets, the casino retains the highest house edge in a Tie bet with 5.27%.