How to Play Baccarat Like a Pro
Baccarat is a table game that has two opposing sides — the player and banker — in which the hand closest to nine wins. Using a deck of cards, the dealer deals each hand one card at a time while revealing both to all players at the table. Then, the players place their bets on either the player, banker, or tie. The game’s rules are simple, but the betting patterns can be complicated. Read on to learn the nuances of the game, and get tips on how to play baccarat like a pro.
It’s early evening at the Hard Rock, and the baccarat table is packed. The cocktail waitress delivers doubles of 18-year-old Macallan, cigar smoke curls toward the ceiling, and a sense of impending fortune resonates around the oval table. A player in the corner shouts “Monkey!” at the dealer, referencing the game’s no-value picture cards. Another player tries to remove a wad of hundreds from his pocket so that he can buy more chips, and a friend sketches out algorithms. A huddle of Chinese guys gabs among themselves and hands shoot out of the pockets of their tuxedo jackets, each with thousands of dollars swimming from one end of the table to the other.
Bill Zender, a former Nevada Gaming Control Agent and casino executive who literally wrote the book on managing casino games, knows that baccarat’s popularity is on the rise. He explains that, over the past twenty years or so, Asian high rollers have almost universally made it their game of choice, largely because it’s well-suited to their cultural preferences and gambling habits.
A big reason for baccarat’s popularity is that it’s relatively easy to understand. Unlike other casino games that use complex card counting strategies, baccarat is fairly simple to play. Tens, jacks, and queens count as zero points, while aces and face cards are worth their actual value. The maximum total a hand can have is nine, and if it goes over, the first numeral is dropped. For example, a seven and an eight makes 15, so the total is subtracted to get the new value (in this case, three).
The zigzagging pattern of banker and player wins is a well-known strategy that helps reduce the house edge. Known as the 1-3-2-6 system, it requires advanced players to watch the shoes closely, and when double win streaks appear for either side they should move to a different table. This strategy also dictates that players should only bet a maximum of two units from their bankroll.
It takes time to master these baccarat strategies, but there are many benefits to learning them before wagering real money. For instance, playing baccarat in a free mode can help you build your confidence, test out different betting patterns, and develop better gambling discipline. This is especially important for new players who are unfamiliar with the game’s rules and betting patterns. Most online casinos offer this option, and it’s a great way to practice the game without risking your hard-earned cash.