Baccarat is a lot easier to play than you might think. For starters, unless you’re the banker (which won’t be the case when playing online), you don’t need to worry about the rules surrounding the drawing of a third card.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the simpler strategies and more advanced options, alongside advice you can take to the bank. Our guide is ideal for baccarat newbies and seasoned pros alike. If you want to improve your game here’s what you need to know.
Understanding Baccarat Rules and Gameplay
Before we discuss how to use a winning baccarat strategy, we must first explain the game for beginners. If you already know how it all works, feel free to skip forward. If not, you should know that baccarat is not a game where you have a great deal of control over the outcome. There are two hands, one known as the banker’s hand and the other called the player’s hand. You won’t control either. However, you can bet on one of them or a draw.
Having placed your bet, two cards are dealt to each hand. In baccarat or punto banco, as it is sometimes known, each baccarat card counts for its numerical value, with the exception of tens and faces, all of which count as zero. Aces count as one-point cards.
It is impossible for a hand to bust in baccarat, but it cannot be worth more than nine points. For instance, if you have a 9 and a Jack in a hand, that hand is worth nine points, which is known as a natural. If the hand is worth more than nine, the first digit (which will often be ten) will be dropped. For example, if you have a 7 and a 5, your total is 13. That can’t be, though, so the first digit (ten) is dropped, giving the hand a total of three points.
Eight and nine-point hands are “natural” and win outright unless the other hand has the same score or better. Otherwise, the highest value hand wins. There are times when a third card is required, but these rules are complicated, and it simply isn’t necessary for you to learn them. Feel free to do so at your leisure, though.
Remember, you can’t control what happens with the hand you bet on. You can simply wager on either the banker’s hand or the player’s hand winning or a draw.
Fundamental Baccarat Strategies
Next, let’s touch on a few of the fundamental baccarat strategies that you need to know. These strategies are baccarat 101, so make sure you learn them by heart. Here’s what you need to know:
1 – Understand Probability
You might imagine that there is a fifty-fifty chance of success in baccarat. That’s not true, though. The banker’s hand has a house edge of 1.05%, while the edge on the player’s hand is 1.24%. Therefore, the banker’s hand is statistically more likely to win. Because of this, you’ll only receive 0.95:1 if you bet on it, while the player’s hand pays 1:1.
2 – Bet on the Banker’s Hand
Clearly, the most optimal of all baccarat strategies is to bet on the banker’s hand almost continuously. Betnero does suggest mixing it up once in a while, but if you want to stick to the most probable outcome, then the banker’s hand is the way to go.
3 – Avoid Tied Bets and Draws
What about ties and draws? Well, they have a least likely probability of success, with an edge of 14.4%. Because they are not particularly likely to appear, you get decent winnings of 9:1 to 11:1, with the exact figure varying depending on the baccarat game you choose here at Betnero. We don’t recommend using this bet, so it’s good practice to get it into your system, as draws/ties are bad bets to make.
4 – Play Pairs
Betnero doesn’t recommend playing with side bets, as the odds of success are always limited, even if the rewards are vast. If you’re going to give them a go anyway, then stick to playing pairs. Betting on either a Player Pair or Banker Pair could see you win 11:1. Just remember that such a side-bet is unlikely to come off often, so don’t continually play with this bet active.
Advanced Baccarat Techniques
The more you play online baccarat, the more experienced you’ll get. Our experts have collectively played for decades, and they’ve got a few more advanced baccarat techniques for you to study before you sit down to play baccarat at Betnero. These include:
1 – Playing Baccarat Variants
Always be mindful of the baccarat variant you are playing. The basic game will generally just be called baccarat or punto banco. Other variants introduce new elements into the game that alter the rules and probability. For instance, in No Commission Baccarat, you will win a 1:1 payout if you bet on the banker’s hand. In essence, you duck the 5% commission, but you’ll only receive 0.50:1 if the banker’s hand wins on sixes.
Alternatively, Super 6 allows you to bet on the banker’s hand being a six-pointer. This results in winnings of 12:1, but the 29.98% edge makes it generally unfavourable. Avoid Baccarat Banque, as this involves being the banker, and then you will need to study the third card rule. It is also worth looking at Lightning Baccarat and other variants, as they introduce multipliers which can magnify your winnings.
2 – Using Betting Systems
It is possible to use betting systems such as the Martingale and Fibonacci to bet on baccarat. These systems see you alter your stake based on the outcome of the previous game. Some, such as Martingale, can see you bankrupt quickly if you go on lengthy losing streaks. Other systems worth noting include the James Bond, the 3 2 System, and the 1 3 2 6 System. However, it is worth noting that these are just as frail when it comes to streaks and returns as other options.
The basic idea behind them is that when you do win, you’ll recoup what you’ve lost with a small profit. If you intend to use betting systems, you must stick to the same bet each time. When you start to alter it, you’ll ruin the count, and that messes with the whole system.
3 – Counting Cards and Recognising Patterns
Some of the best baccarat strategies can be used in RNG games or even modified to become a live baccarat strategy. It is possible to use running counts and true counts in baccarat, but only if a minimal number of decks are used and if the dealer doesn’t shuffle the decks after every hand. In most cases, they will do. However, it is up to you to seek out games where this isn’t the case.
You may also be able to take advantage of games by recognising patterns. Live dealers are human and are, therefore, capable of making mistakes. If a dealer does so, you need to be ready to pounce. Therefore, it can certainly help to keep an eye on how they play to see if you can identify any patterns. Counting cards and identifying patterns in RNG games is almost impossible because the deck is shuffled on each new hand by random number generators.
Guide for Playing Live Baccarat
As well as using some of the strategies we’ve discussed above, it is also handy if you take note of Betnero’s expert baccarat guides. Each of our team members has come together to provide their experience in playing baccarat online.
- Always check the odds and probabilities of any baccarat game you play ahead of time. This is doubly true for the more obscure baccarat variants out there.
- Stick with the banker. It may be more tempting to bet on the player’s hand, but from a probability perspective, it is marginally less likely to come good. You’ll win less, but theoretically, more frequently if you stick to the banker’s hand.
- Keep your sessions short and remember to quit if you build up a decent sum. Unless you get very lucky with a random side bet, you will likely need to play for a while to amass a decent amount of winnings. This can make it tricky to know when you’re ahead. Avoid wagering too long. It is better to take lots of small wins away from the table and return later than to risk it all.
- If you do use a betting strategy, such as the Martingale or the James Bond, do not (and Betnero insists on this), do not adjust what you’re betting on. Messing around changing bets will ruin your strategy.
- Always prepare your bankroll in advance. Decide how much you want to spend, or rather, how much you’re comfortably prepared to lose, and stick to it. Don’t redeposit if you burn through your bankroll. That can rapidly lead to irresponsible gambling practices.
Online Baccarat Strategy: Pros and Cons
Pros
- With the right strategy, it is possible to land regular wins in baccarat
- Baccarat is unlikely to bust your balance when you stick to your strategy
- Because payouts are 1:1 or close to that figure, this game is easy for rookies to play using strategy
- Most baccarat games can be played without money, which helps you practice strategies
Cons
- Baccarat pays out small wins, so you’ll likely be playing for a while
- You don’t control the cards on the table
Baccarat Responsible Gaming at Betnero
Before you give online baccarat a go, read through this guide and our baccarat once more, and take notes. Be sure you understand how the game works, the probability of success, and also why side-bets and baccarat variants require careful consideration before you bet.
At the same time, you should always gamble responsibly. We adhere to global gambling regulations, so we’ve got all sorts of responsible gambling tools, such as deposit and wager limits, to help you stay safe. Please remember to use them.
With all that said, if you’re ready to start playing, explore Betnero’s top baccarat games. We’ve got ample variants, including both live dealer and online games.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Betnero’s experts want your gambling experience to be a safe and successful one. Therefore, don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions. We’re always on hand to help, and below, you’ll find a few of the more commonly asked questions surrounding baccarat, along with our experts’ answers.
What are the best baccarat strategies?
If bankroll management is your forte, then the Martingale, can be the way to go. Just keep in mind that no strategy can assure you to win, so if you try them out just do it for fun.
Can you always win with a baccarat strategy?
No. Baccarat strategies aren’t much different from the other strategies associated with casino games. They won’t guarantee wins. Baccarat is a game of luck, keep that in mind if you decide to play at our casino.
How does one choose between betting on the player or the banker?
That is a good question. You’ll find three betting circles on the screen. These are for Banker, Player or Draw/Tie ante bets. Just drag your chips into whatever circle corresponds to the bet you want to make and confirm it.
“Betting is strictly for players aged 18 and over. Please gamble responsibly. For support and more information, visit BeGambleAware.org.”