Baccarat was first played in the noble houses of Italy and France, and is still considered one of the most sophisticated casino card games available. Today it has spread to the rest of the world, and is played in offline and online casinos across America. Playing online baccarat in Canada or America allows you to try more varieties, research and discuss strategies easily and apply what you learn immediately which can really help you understand the game and win more. Every time you play online Baccarat, your insights and appreciation should develop.
Understanding Baccarat
There are three versions of Baccarat available in online American casinos today, and the most common is Punto Banco, also known as North American Baccarat. This is also the easiest version, so it’s a great place to begin your online gambling USA career. Once you’ve got the basics and have started developing your strategy here, you can branch out and start exploring Baccarat Chemin de Fer and Baccarat Banque.
At the beginning of a round of Punto Banco two hands are dealt, one representing the Punto (Player) and one representing the Banco (Banker). The 10 and the face cards all carry a value of 0, the Ace cards carry a value of 1 and the number cards are all worth their face value. The two cards in each hand are added together, and the 10 values are dropped. So, for example, a hand with a 5 and a 9 would be worth 4 rather than 14.
A hand of 8 or 9 is a Natural, and automatically wins the round. If a Player hand is 6 or 7 it will stand, and if it is 5 or less another card is dealt. The rules determining whether a Banker hand gets a third card are a little more complex. It depends on what the original Banker hand total was, whether a third card was dealt to the Player hand, and what the value of the third Player card was. You’ll also often find game rules that are specific to the different casinos you visit, and you may enjoy some more than others. In each round there are three possible outcomes: that the Punto hand wins, that the Banco hand wins, or that there is a tie. Bets must be placed on the outcome before any hands are dealt.
Win Big with a Classic Card Game
There is less skill and strategy in Punto Banco than in the other two forms of online Baccarat, and most of it lies in placing shrewd wagers. This is an important skill in itself and will stand you in good stead when you explore the other variations. In general, you should never bet against a string of wins. After there have been three wins in a row, wait for the run to end or bet with it. It’s very tempting to bet on a tie result, with its jaw-dropping payout of 8:1, but be very careful with this. You should only place this wager if you are happy with the huge risk – the House edge is a whopping 14.1%!
As you keep playing Baccarat online, you’ll be more drawn in and will keep evolving your playing style. Playing can bring you enjoyment for the rest of your casino career, and you really will get out everything that you put into the game.