Live Baccarat Casino
Baccarat is one of the most enjoyable and famous casino games. It is a card game which means it requires strategy and a bit of luck to get the big wins. To play Baccarat, you have to understand all the Baccarat rules, which can be confusing especially for new players. That said, once players get hang of the game, they are able to compete with the best players. If you are looking to raise the excitement a notch higher, then you ought to try live Baccarat. This is a version of the game played online and against the casino through a dealer, the closest thing to playing in a real landbased casino.
What is Live Baccarat?
Simply put, live Baccarat is the online version of the original Baccarat game played via computer streaming with a live dealer. With so many established online casinos, it is easier than ever to find various versions of Baccarat in the online casino’s live casino section. The aim of the live version is to try and replicate the look and feel of a physical casino as closely as possible, all with the comfort of playing wherever the player is most comfortable. Players can see the dealer and bet on the games through a platform provided by the casino software developer.
As in a physical casino, you can place bets using the money in your account. The only difference between live Baccarat and landbased casino’s version is that most casinos will not let you play using any of the best bonus offers. Since this is a live game, it is possible to interact with the dealer. Players can hear what the dealers say, and they can reply through the different chat options available. Because most of the dealers expect a tip at the end of the game, they are usually very polite and friendly which makes the game even more enjoyable.
Beginners Guide to Live Baccarat Casino
Before playing Baccarat it is important to remember that most casinos have their own rules which will be posted on their website. That said, there are some standard rules that apply to the Baccarat game.
The first one to understand is that you will be placing bets on the “Player”, the “Banker” or a tie. In a single hand, only 3 cards can be dealt, and the rules do not allow for a fourth card. The aim of the game is to reach a total of 9. The cards all have different values; all face cards and the 10 have no value. All cards less than 10 are counted at their number values.
The point total of both sets of cards is calculated if the total comes to more than 10, the 2nd digit is considered to be the value of the hand as per the Baccarat rules. For example, an 8 and a 4, which total to 12, make up a two-point hand. In order to win the game, the bet must be on the hand totalling closer to nine. When the point total is 8/9 for either the Banker or the Player in the first two cards dealt, it will be called a natural win and the game will be over. If the total is between 0-5, the player gets to draws a 3rd card, unless the Banker has got 8/9.
Baccarat Rules and Betting Strategy
If you like to watch James Bond movies, chances are you’re already familiar with Baccarat rules. Big players and wealthy people are attracted to Baccarat tables, thanks to the atmosphere and exclusivity surrounding the game. Baccarat is very easy to play because it does not require any thorough knowledge. The rules are already determined by the casino and the game is controlled by a dealer. This makes it very easy to play correctly, even for inexperienced players. Just like in Blackjack, the purpose of Baccarat is to pull out a card game and get as close as possible to 9.
There is no secret tactic to always win in Baccarat game, you have to be lucky to beat the odds. However, if you follow these two tips, you increase your chances of winning a betting session. The first is that a bet on the “Bank” is the bet that gives you the best odds to win. Your chances of winning a Bank bet is 44.61%. This makes it the best bet in Baccarat for the player, despite the fact that the casino will charge a 5% commission if you win. Secondly, online casinos offer you the chance to bet on a “Tie”. This is the worst bet according to Baccarat’s strategy. The casino has an advantage of 14% at a Tie bet when the win pays 1-8. Some casinos offer 1-9 which is a bit better, but this is not a recommended bet.
Live Baccarat Variations
Big Table is the standard variant of the Baccarat game. Here, the player and the banker draw each other’s cards and it uses seven decks.
Punto Banco is similar to Big Table Baccarat. What makes Punto Banco unique is that it uses six to eight decks and the players never touch the cards.
Baccarat Banque is where one of the players is the banker during the whole game. After a hand, the players change and another becomes the dealer. Baccarat Banque is aimed at high rollers as it usually has very high table limits.
- Big table Baccarat is the most popular version
- In most Baccarat versions, the player can become the dealer
- The stakes get higher if the casino is allowed to play as the banker
- Baccarat Banque has very high stakes
- All Baccarat variations can have different rules according to the region
Live Baccarat Tip & Tricks
One of the best untold tips for winning at a Baccarat game is that you should never bet on the “Tie”. Although most casinos will try to entice players with an 8:1 payment, chances are that either the player’s or the banker’s cards will win with very slim chances of a tie. Therefore, statistically, betting on a tie is a loss in a majority of hands.
Second, players should not let the 5% commission on placing a winning bet on the banker entice them. Betting on the banker has the lowest odds, usually in the region of 1% compared to the player’s edge that is usually at 1.24%.
Players should also always strive to play with multiple card decks. Reason being the house edge in a Baccarat game is proportional to the number of decks used. Therefore, the more decks, the bigger your potential win.
Finally, players who are new to Baccarat should try to play with a risk-free account. Most casinos will allow this. It is beneficial in learning to understand the game without risking any money in the process.
Dealer Interactions & Etiquette at a Live Baccarat Table
Live Baccarat should be fun. There are certain things that players should do to make it that much better. One of the major requirements is to always be respectful towards the dealer. Baccarat is a game of chance, therefore it is of no benefit to players to blame the dealer in case of a loss. If players are not courteous enough, some casinos will remove them from the table without the chance of coming back. In online games there is a risk of losing the casino account and all money in it. Usually, players interact with the dealer through a chat window which should be enough. When playing with other players on the same table, a little bit of etiquette will take you a long way. This includes minor elements such as dealing in good time, being polite when interacting with all people at the table and accepting losses gracefully.
Bonuses and Promotions for Baccarat Games
Casinos will offer different bonuses for players who play live games including Baccarat. One of the most popular live casino bonus is the welcome bonus. This is where you are given a percentage of your deposit as a bonus within say your first four or five deposits. Some casinos will also have special live casino welcome bonuses to entice more players.
An additional popular bonus is known as a reload bonus. Players are given a percentage of their deposit when they deposit money into their accounts after their welcome bonus is exhausted.
Cashback bonuses are usually offered against long losing streaks. In this instance a player is awarded a percentage of their losses back as bonus or actual cash.
Responsible Gambling & Money Management
One of the golden rules of playing Baccarat online or any other casino game is that you should always wager what you can afford to lose. When you do so, you are unlikely to spend money that you have set aside for more important uses. Profitable players never chase after a large losses. Sometimes, a player will lose a huge sum and will want to place even bigger wagers in order to recoup those losses. This rarely goes well and generally sees players lose even more money.
Experienced players take money management seriously. It is always good to set goals for how much can be wagered, either per week or per month. In addition, it is a good idea to withdraw money once it reached a certain threshold.
Summary of Live Baccarat
Live Baccarat game is an exciting and engaging casino game. It is made even more enticing by the many variations of the game there are on various online live casinos. Learning to play Baccarat can be confusing because of all the various rules. Most reputable casinos will post the rules for all available live Baccarat variation on their site. This allows players to refer back and fully understand how each live Baccarrat version is played.
When interacting with live dealers players need to be courteous and respectful at all times. Since Baccarat is a game of chance, the dealer is not responsible for any wins or losses. A player experiencing an emotional reaction will not help them to recover their losses and it may lead to a temporary or permanent ban.
Some casinos will offer bonuses and run promotions on their live casinos. Players can position themselves to take advantage of these. The higher the bankroll the more likely a player will see a large win come their way.