Okay so you want to try your hand at some casino action
and have decided that the simple sophistication of Baccarat
is for you.
Firstly you need to learn how to say the word! It is
said "bah-caw-rah", and not "back-a-rat"
as most unsuspecting punters say. It is similar to the
game known as "Chemin de Fer" in some countries.
Baccarat is played with eight complete decks of cards.
The cards are shuffled by the dealer or Croupier, and
then reshuffled and placed in a special box called the
Shoe.
Baccarat is one of the easiest table games to play.
In fact it is probably the most uncomplicated game there
is.
THE RULES
While at first the rules may seem a bit confusing, the
best thing to remember is that there really is no need
to know them exactly. As a game of chance, all you really
have to do is decide which hand you think will win,
and bet accordingly. However, knowing the basic rules
will certainly help you follow what is going on, making
the game a lot more enjoyable.
You have the choice of betting on either the Bank, the
Player or for a Tie. (Betting "tie" is not
usually recommended, as the house advantage is too high).
Except for the Tie bet, Baccarat has a very low house
advantage - 1.36 % if you bet on Player and 1.17% for
bets on Banker.
1. Two hands are dealt, one for the Player and
one for the Banker - it is time to bet on one or the
other.
2. If the hand you bet on wins, you receive a
1 to 1 (even money) payoff. You can also bet that the
hands will tie, but as mentioned above, it is not recommended.
You receive an 8 to 1 payoff, but ties occur less than
once out of every ten hands, making the tie bet a rare
(but rewarding) choice.
PLAY BEGINS
At the start of a game of Baccarat, each hand receives
just two cards. When necessary, additional cards are
drawn according to the rules.
THE HAND CLOSEST TO 9 WINS
A person holds the Shoe and is known as the Banker -
and stays with this title as long as the Banker's hand
wins. When the Player's hand wins, the Shoe is then
passed on to the next player.
He/she then becomes the banker. A player may pass the
Shoe if he so desires.
The person acting as the banker takes the cards from
the Shoe. Two cards referred to as "the Player's
hand" are extended to the player's side. This is
done as a courtesy. The cards are turned over by the
player and called by the croupier.
Values of the cards:
Ten - 0
Jack - 0
Queen - 0
King - 0
Ace - 1
Cards 2 through 9 are at face value
Remember that hands don't 'bust' like in Blackjack (i.e.
go over the target total). In Baccarat, the first digit
of a two-digit number is always dropped. For example,
if 5 and 7 are drawn for a total of 12, the count is
2.
WHEN THERE IS A TIE, NOBODY LOSES.
If the first two cards total 8 or 9, the hand is called
a Natural and YOU WIN, unless both hands have equal
value Naturals, in which case it's a Tie.
If neither hand has a natural additional cards are drawn
to determine a winner.
THE PAYOUTS
Banker and player bets pay even money on your wins.
However, winning banker bets are subject to a 5% house
commission.
So therefore even after paying out a 5% commission on
winning banker bets, betting on the Banker is still
a slightly (0.19% to be exact) better proposition than
betting on the Player.
BETTING
All bets are made before the cards are dealt. In live
games every player at the table gets a chance to deal
the cards, but you don't have to deal, just pass the
shoe to the next player. If you have the bankroll (often
$25 or more minimum bet), don't let the tuxedoed dealers
and fancy surroundings scare you.
THE 1 - 3 - 2 - 6 BETTING SYSTEM FOR BACCARAT
While it may seem otherwise to some newcomers, the odds
actually favor the casino and no betting system can
change that fact. But many say this system works well
for short term betters.
What makes the 1 - 3 - 2 - 6 system attractive to punters
is that you risk only two betting units for a chance
to win ten units. In other words, you can make a nice
profit with a minimal investment.
The first bet is one unit - if you win:
1. Add another unit, making the second bet a
total of three units.
2. If you win the second bet, there are 6 units
on the table. Remove four units, making your third bet
two units.
3. If it wins add two more units, making it a
total of six units for your fourth bet.
4. If the fourth bet wins you'll collect a total
of 12 units (which ten units are fabulous profit!)
If you lose the first bet: The loss is one unit.
If you win the first, but lose the second bet: your
net loss is two units.
If you win the second, but lose the third bet, you have
a profit of two units.
If you win the first three bets but lose the fourth
bet, you'll break even.
If you lose the second bet five out of six times and
win four consecutive bets once, you'll be right back
to even.
**You can also use this system for even-money betting
at any other casino game.
EXAMPLES OF PLAY
Player
If the 1st 2 cards of the Player's hand have a total
of:
· 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 OR 10… the Player draws
a card.
· 6 - 7 … the Player Stands.
· 8 - 9 … (Natural) the Player stands and
Banker can't draw.
Banker
If the 1st 2 cards of the Banker's hand have a total
of:
· 3 …And the Players 3rd card is anything
but an 8 then Banker Draws. If Players 3rd card is 8
then Banker Stands.
· 4 … And the Players 3rd card is 2 - 3
- 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 then Banker Draws. If Players 3rd is
1 - 8 - 9 -10 then Banker Stands.
· 5 … And the Players 3rd card is 4 - 5
- 6 - 7 then Banker Draws. If Players 3rd is 1 - 2 -
3 - 8 - 9 - 10 then Banker Stands.
· 6 …And the Players 3rd card is 6 - 7 then
Banker Draws.
If Players 3rd is 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 8 - 9 - 10 then
Banker Stands.
· 7 …Banker Stands.
· 8 - 9 …Natural - Banker Stands. - Player
can't draw. If the player takes no card, the Bank must
draw on hands of 0-5 and stay on 6, 7, 8 or 9. (The
8 and 9 being naturals are automatic winners and the
player cannot take a card)
TIE BETS
Bettor must bet EITHER the Player or Banker in order
to also bet a tie. It is not permitted to bet on the
"Tie" line only. Ties bets traditionally pay
8 to 1.
back
|
