All You Need to Know About Baccarat

If you consider yourself a passionate gambler at heart, you may have already tried your hand at Baccarat, one of the oldest casino games that exist even today. 

Top Baccarat Online Casinos 2024

Not only is it one of the oldest, but it also comes with a rich history. However, what makes the baccarat game genuinely different from the other is the unique rule of “deal first and bet later.”

Moreover, Baccarat is a relatively simple game to play compared to the other casino games. That is because most of the heavy-lifting is done by the dealer. All you really need to do is wager your bets and watch your profits grow!

Sound interesting? If your answer is yes, make sure to read this quick guide till the end!

Where Does Baccarat Get Its Name from?

Baccarat (also known as “Bond’s Game”) is one of the most popular casino games. Moreover, they are also one of the oldest casino games to retain their popularity to date. 

In this game, the word “Baccarat” means “zero,”; which is also the value of the kings, queens, jacks, and tens.

The History of Baccarat

The history of Baccarat to this day remains unclear. However, according to reliable historical sources, the baccarat card game can be traced way back to Ancient Italy and then moved through France and America. 

And in this section, we will take a step back into history to follow the journey of this beloved casino game. 

The Rise of Baccarat in Italy

When it comes to card and casino games, most of them have a history that goes back all the way to China. However, the same cannot be said for Baccarat. That is because, while most card games require you to have a nine to win, the game of Baccarat is a bit different.

In fact, the earliest documentation of Baccarat can be tracked down to medieval Italy by a man named Felix Falguiere. In the 1400s, Felix discovered “Baccara,” an Italian card game, meaning “zero.” Baccara worked because all the face cards and the tens are worth little to nothing in terms of scores.

One interesting fact about Baccara is that there is an Etruscan legend behind the origin of the game. According to this, a virgin was once compelled to roll nine-sided dice to determine her fate. If the die landed on eight or nine, the people had to view her as a royal priestess. 

If the number landed on six or seven, her life would be spared, but she would be kept away during village celebrations and other festivities. If the number were anything less than a six, she would be sent out to the sea, where the waves would eventually swallow her, leading to her death. 

Of course, modern-day Baccarat does not involve banishing the loser to their death. However, the idea of scoring less than six leads to loss still remains. 

Baccarat Rises in France

If you are a person who is attentive to small details, you may have noticed that Felix Falguiere’s version of the game does not have the “t” in the end. 

The game’s actual name came about in the 1800s when Baccarat witnessed a sudden surge of fame in France. Here, Baccarat was commonly called “Chemin de Fer.” However, as time went by, the term “Baccarat” became more and more popular. 

During its time in France, King Charles VIII developed an interest in this game. Soon after this, the French aristocracy also got on board with the game and was very entertained by it. 

After Baccarat thrived and flourished in France, it soon made its way to England, where the game started gaining momentum, thanks to Mr. Bond, from Ian Fleming’s James Bond franchise. 

Moreover, there is a joint discussion that Mr. Bond is the best baccarat player. However, there is one more person worth mentioning. 

Baccarat Ventures into the United States

After the success of Baccarat in France, the game soon entered the territory of the United States in the 19th century, where people started wagering huge bets and rewards. 

The people situated in the Caribbean and South America often called Baccarat “Punto Banco.” Moreover, the rules of Chemin de Fer also changed a bit when it entered American waters. 

Initially, Baccarat was played as in a group of fours. However, every player had to place bets against the house in America. This rule was soon set in stone and is followed even today. 

Moreover, this change was beneficial to upper-class people as they enjoyed placing high bets during the game. One such person is Mr-Bet-A-Million, also known as Mr. John W Gates. He is nicknamed as Mr-Bet-A-Million because he once betted one million dollars during a game. 

And, of course, this bet was remarkably high. However, American casinos came up with the idea of high-roller rooms where people were encouraged to gamble with high stakes.

The 4-Step Guide to Play Baccarat

In simple words, Baccarat is a guessing game. All you need to do is place a bet on which hand you think will win – the player’s hand or the Banker’s hand. 

The winning hand will always have the highest number of points. As you can see, Baccarat is a relatively simple game. And if you want to learn how to play Baccarat, here’s a quick guide on baccarat rules, point systems, and more!

The Point System Explained

Compared to the other casino games, the point calculation method in this game is quite different. The highest possible score in Baccarat is 9. If the value of one hand is 9, it is automatically deemed to be the highest. 

Listed below is a quick breakdown of the point system in Baccarat.

Tens and Picture Cards

All tens and picture cards in Baccarat have no value. Therefore, they hold zero points in this game.

Numbered Cards

The rest of the numbered cards from 2 to 9 are worth their actual face value.

Aces

All aces are worth one point.

How to Add Your Points

In Baccarat, once your points cross the double-digit mark, the second digit in the score will become the value of your hand. 

For instance, if you have a hand that has a double-digit score, your value will automatically become 0. And if your hand has a score of 11, your value will be 1, and so on. 

An easy way to remember this is to follow a rule of thumb; to let go of the first digit after your points reach 10. Therefore, if you have a hand of 6 and 9, your total points will be 5. Your score will now be worth 5 points by following the rule of thumb. 

A bet that is closest to 9 will be declared as the winner.

Playing Baccarat

Now that you are familiar with all the basics, you can get started with learning how to play the game. 

Step #1: Set a Budget and Start Your Game with a Gameplan

Undoubtedly, playing Baccarat can be a thrilling experience. Therefore, it can be easy to get carried away without noticing. And if you are not careful enough, you might just spend too much money.

So if you want to save money while also having fun, make sure to set a budget and start the game with a baccarat strategy.

Do Not Use Any Credit Cards

Because credit cards have no limit on spending, it is best to avoid using credit cards as they could put you in a tight financial spot later.

Therefore, make sure to set and budget and use cash instead.

Set Win Limits

Winning money while playing Baccarat can be very fun. However, losing it all later and walking away empty-handed might not be ideal. Therefore, make sure to set a win limit. Once you reach this limit, step away from the table.

Step #2: Place Your Bet

Before the dealer spreads out the cards, you will need to place your bet. Here, you will have three options to choose from, and they are as follows:

• A Banker’s Hand Bet

Any winning bets made on the Banker’s hand will pay you even money. For instance, if you have placed a C$15 bet and won it, you will get C$15 without the 5% commission. 

It is also called playing in 1 to 1.

• A Player’s Bet

Any winning bets made on the player’s hand will also give you 1 to 1 money.

• A Tie

All winning bets made on a tie will pay you in 8 to 1.

Step #3: Understand How a Round Works

Once you have placed your bets, you will need to know how the cards are dealt with and how around in Baccarat works. Typically, two cards are dealt for the player’s hand and Banker’s hand. 

However, a third card may need to be drawn in some cases.

• Understand How the Cards are Handled

Four cards will be dealt once all the players have placed their bets. The dealers will first take a card and put it on the player’s box. After this, the dealer will place a card on the Banker’s box. 

This step will then be repeated until each box has a total of two cards in it.

• A Natural Win

Sometimes, the game might end in a natural win if one of the player’s points total a 9 or 8, regardless of whether it is the banker’s hand or the player’s. In this case, you will win all the placed bets, and the game will end.

The Third Card: When is It Drawn?

As mentioned earlier, a game of Baccarat will end if one of the hands total up to 8 or 9. And if none of them adds up to the winning total, the dealer might draw an extra card to one or both the hands. 

And the best part about this game is that all the rules for the third card are easy to understand.

Rules for the Players

As per the rules of Baccarat, the third card rules call for the player to go before the Banker:

• Once the third card has been drawn to the player’s hand, they will take a look at their total. If it is more than 8 or hits an exact 9, the game will end with a natural win. After this, the dealer will not handle more additional cards. 
• The total point of the player’s hand will stand at 6 or 7.
• If the total does not end up with 8 or 9 but instead falls between 0 to 5, the player will need to take the third card. However, if the Banker’s hand has a value of 8 or 9, the game will win with the Banker as the winner, and no extra cards will be drawn.

Rules for the Banker

All the rules mentioned above apply in case the player is required to draw the third card. However, if the Banker needs to draw the third card, you need to review a unique set of rules.

Here is a list of those rules based on the total of the first two cards:

0 to 2 cards: The Banker will draw the third card unless the player has a natural win of 8 or 9

3 card: The Banker will draw first if the third card of the player’s set is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9. If the player’s third card is an 8, the bank will stand. 

4 card: The bank will draw if the third card of the player’s set is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. The bank will stand if the player’s third card is a 0, 1, 8, or 9.

5 card: The bank will draw if the third card of the player’s set is 4, 5, 6, 7. The bank will stand if the player’s third card is a 0, 1, 2, 3, 8, or 9.

6 card: The bank will draw if the third card of the player’s set is 6 or 7. The bank will stand if the player’s third card is a 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, or 9.

7 card: The bank will stand.

8 to 9 cards: These are the numbers that will give you a natural win. Therefore, both the player’s and the Banker’s hands will not draw the third card. 

Step #4: Know What a Winning Hand is

Once the player’s and Banker’s hands are all played out, you will find the winning hand, which is the one that has the closest total of 9 points. In addition to this, both hands will not get more than three cards to determine a winner. 

If there is a tie between the two hands, neither the player nor the Banker will win or lose. The dealer will collect the bets that have been placed, and they will pay the winnings. 

Furthermore, the dealer will take a 5% commission on all the winning bets, provided it is the Banker’s hand. 

In fact, this is how casinos earn their money by playing Baccarat. The dealers will track all the commissions earned by playing this game. 

Playing Baccarat at Canadian Online Casinos

Step #1: Sign Up to Create Your Account at an Online Casino

The first step to playing baccarat online casino is to set up your account. Most online casinos have an attractive design and layout. However, you will need to make sure the website offers Baccarat first. 

If they do, you can get started by registering your account. Here, you will need to fill in your personal details, verify your account and you are all set!

Step #2: Deposit Your Money

If you are an amateur gambler, the process of depositing money might seem complicated at first. However, the process is pretty simple, and you can transfer funds to your account in just a few minutes!

For Canadian gamblers, you can use:

• Interac
• Interac e-Transfer
• iDebit
• Instadebit
• EcoPayz
• MuchBetter
• Jeton
• eCheck
• Paysafe Card
• Neo Surf
• Flexepin
• Bitcoin
• VISA
• Mastercard
• Apple Pay
• Debit cards

Keep in mind that you will need to have sufficient funds in your account before transferring.

Here’s how you can deposit in 5 quick steps:

• Once you have created your account, check if there are any welcome bonuses to take advantage of. 
• Next, go to the “cashier” section and scan the different deposit options available.
• Once you find your preferred method, follow the instructions carefully to complete the transaction.
• If your transaction is successful, your funds will be able to transfer instantly.
• Additionally, check your casino account to verify the completion before starting.

Step #3: Start Playing!

Now that your account is set up with funds in place, you are ready to play Baccarat! Whether you want to try your hand at a Baccarat game or a live casino table, you can get started with the amount you wish to wager. 

Keep in mind that you will be playing with real money, so have a pre-set budget in mind and wager accordingly. 

Step #4: Keep an Eye on Your Game

Once you have placed your bets, all you ought to do is sit back, relax and watch the match unfold in front of your eyes! 

Keep in mind to monitor the activities of the table, the possibilities of winning or losing, or switching to auto modes to help you place all your bets automatically.

Step #5: Withdraw All Your Winnings

Now that the game has been completed, you may have won some winnings. And if you have, it may be tempting to try your luck even more. 

However, this might not have the best outcome. Therefore, it is best advised to withdraw your winnings while you can without losing it all!

Here’s how you can cash out your rewards in 3 steps:

• First, log into your account at the online casino, and navigate your way into the “cashier” section where you initially deposited your money.
• Next, choose the “withdraw” option, and select your preferred method to withdraw.
• Enter your basic details like name, billing info, etc., and select “withdraw” to get a hold of your winnings. 

Step #6: Repeat the Steps

And that’s all, folks! Playing Baccarat live can be very exciting. Not only does it allow you to relax and have fun, but you can also earn big bucks while playing!

That makes Baccarat one of the best online casino games for pros and amateurs alike.

One of the best online casinos to play a game of Baccarat:

Wildz Casino: Wildz Casino offers a lot of fun and frolic for Baccarat lovers. Here, you can explore games like Baccarat, Baccarat Squeeze, Baccarat Lobby, Lightning Baccarat, and so much more!

Tips, Tricks, and Strategies for Winning Baccarat

Undoubtedly, Baccarat can be an entertaining game to play. While playing for fun can be easy, playing with money can be more challenging.

And if you are looking to play for money, make sure to use the following tips and strategies to help you out!

#1: Do Not Opt for the Tie Bet

As mentioned earlier, Baccarat has three different types of hands: Banker hand, Player Hand, and tie. Each hand comes with its own house edge that you can take advantage of.

Banker’s hand has a 1.06% house edge, while the player has 1.24% and 14.4%. 

While banker and player hands have lower loss units, the rotten tie bet will take more from you if you lose a bet. It leads to the bet being a waste of your money. Therefore, it is best to stay clear of this bet as much as possible.

#2: Banker Hand Bets are Always the Best

From the previous point, you may have understood that the best bets to place are the banker bets. With this bet, you have over a 50% chance to win every time. 

However, some players may get the edge over these bets by paying a 5% commission. In order to ensure fair play, it is best to play without it while opting for the banker bets.

#3: Stick with Banker Bets

There is no greater joy than making streak winnings at Baccarat. And if you wish to make streak winnings, it is best advised to stick to the banker bets. And if you have placed a bet on a player’s hand and notice the Banker’s hand doing well, you can try switching to the Banker’s hand.

However, keep in mind that streak winnings are not guaranteed. There is no indication that these bets will continue to win for you. 

#4: If a Banker Bet Loses, Wait for One Decision

Now that you have lost a banker bet do not immediately jump in to make another bet. Instead, wait until the next decision before you make a bet. 

#5: Place Your Bets on the Player’s Hand

As mentioned earlier, the safest bets to place are on Banker bets. However, if this bet loses, you can opt for player bets instead. 

Either way, it is best to say away from ties bets as they do not count. 

#6: Keep Track of Your Finances

It is super easy to use all your money in Baccarat. Therefore, make sure you have a strong money management plan in hand before you get started. It will keep you safe from any severe losses.

The Legends of Baccarat

By reading the history of Baccarat, you may have understood that the game has existed for a long time. Therefore, several legends have made themselves recognizable, thanks to their excellent skills. 

Listed below are the 7 of those legends worth knowing about!

#1: Akio Kashiwagi

Also known as “The Warrior,” Akio Kashiwagi earned over $100 million per year as winnings by playing Baccarat. With this, he had built an entire fortune with the real estate market in Tokyo.

#2: John W. Gates

John Gates, a.k.a Mr-Bet-A-Million, raised the bar and made high stakes in Baccarat for countless hours. 

In one particular instance, Gates decided to place a million-dollar bet on a banker’s hand in one round. It automatically raised the bar for the other player as well. And while Gates won one hand, lost the other, and tied the last one, they still never exchanged the money. 

However, he still went on to be known as “Mr-Bet-A-Million” in recognition for his willingness to bet unbelievable high amounts in one single round!

#3: The Greek Syndicate

Next up, we have The Greek Syndicate, a group of 5 mafias or cheaters who used to win whopping amounts of money playing Baccarat—Francois Andre, Nicolas Zographos, Anthanase Vagliano, Eli Eliopulo, and Zaret Couyoumdjian.

Among these members, Zographos was the mastermind who used his skills and knowledge to place the right bets that gave them sizeable profits and rewards.

Needless to say, this group of Baccarat players were some of the best in the game.

#4: Phil Ivey

Even though Phil Ivey’s skill lies with poker, he is also highly talented in Baccarat. That is why Ivey has won over $26.2 million and 10 WSOP gold bracelets in live Baccarat tournaments!

#5: Kerry Packer

Media mogul, Kerry Packer, was worth $6.5 billion at the time of his death, making him the richest man in Australia. The mystery behind this significant number is Baccarat. 

In fact, he won almost £13 million in profit during one of his trips by gambling in Baccarat! Of course, he did face a few losses now and then, but he won a lot more than his losses.

His friends even accounted for his skills, saying Packer used all the best baccarat skills to ace the game.

#6: Archie Karas

Regardless of whether you are a pro gambler or an amateur, you may have heard about “The Run,” which happens to be the most significant gambling run in all of history. That is when Archie Karas, a Greek-born gambler, loaned $10,000 and turned it into an incredible $17 million!

#7: Tommy Renzoni

The history of Baccarat comes all the way from Italy, travelled through France and landed in America. However, it was Frances Renzoni, a.k.a Tommy, who boosted the popularity of Baccarat in America, making him one of the most influential individuals in the history of Baccarat.

Wrapping Up

And that’s all, folks! 

In simple words, Baccarat is nothing but a wild guessing game, one where people use prudent strategies and trends to make your win. 

And if you know your way around the board, you are sure to have a safe and enjoyable gambling experience. All you ought to do is analyze the environment, use Baccarat winning strategy, and wager on the right bets based on which hand offers the better edge.

Regardless of whether you play the game at a casino or in real life, you can surely earn big bucks by playing Baccarat!