Play online baccarat games

Baccarat is among the pioneer casino games. It originates from Italy and has been played since the turn of the 20th century. Growing by the day, baccarat casinos have evolved with an abundant offering of the classic table game. The best baccarat casinos UK avail more than two variations of the game in their mélange of games. Evolving technology has also led to the integration of new features in the game. Baccarat casinos now offer live baccarat games which have the same aspects of land-based tables and online game.

Game Variations

Like most table genres, baccarat casino games come with a number of variations. Variants of baccarat proceed with the same basic principles as the classic game except for a few insignificant distinctions. There are five main variations of baccarat casino game. A player is likely to find Punto Banco, Baccarat Banque, Chemin de Fer, VIP, Mini, and Midi Baccarat in casinos.

Terms of Engagement

Characters

Baccarat is one of the most elite games that are offered in any gambling establishment. It is no wonder the rules of the game are simple and straightforward. Played on a specially designed oval table, baccarat can be played by up to 14 gamblers and presided over by two dealers and a croupier. The croupier stands at the center of the table. They are in charge of directing players on the formalities of play and will also make calls on the hands that are drawn. Each dealer stands behind a stack of chips, mostly found at the far edges of the table, and will pay or take the gamblers’ bets depending on the outcome of the hand.

To commence the game, a dealer will shuffle eight decks of cards and place them face down on the table. The croupier then reshuffles approximately two decks from the eight and laces them into the remaining cards. All the shuffled cards will be placed in a covered shoe.

The player next to the croupier can choose to be the banker of the game. Their role would be to deal two cards for each hand. Each round will comprise two hands: the player’s and the banker’s. Each round aims to attempt and predict which hand will score closest to 9. If the value of the cards exceeds 9, then only the right digit is counted. For instance, if the combined value of the cards is 12, it is only the 2 that is recognized. The player with the higher prediction wins the round. The suits of the cards are of no significance in baccarat.

Solo participants do not get a hand in the game. Instead, they can place their bets for the player or the banker. Their bets are limited to whether the player’s or banker’s hands will win or tie.

It is traditional that two cards are dealt for the player and the banker in each hand. However, in rare situations, a third card may be dealt but never more than three. One of the player’s cards goes to the croupier while the first of the banker’s cards will go to the shoe. The player’s second card will again go to the croupier and the last card, which is the banker’s card, will close the hand when it goes under the shoe.

When the first round is over, the croupier will give the player’s cards to the solo gambler with the highest bet on the player. If there is no gambler behind the player, the croupier will simply expose the cards to the table.

Card Values

Like poker, each distinct card in the decks has a corresponding value attached to it. Aces will count for 1. Pip cards, that is, number cards from 2 to 9 are valued as numbered. For example, 8 is valued as 8 and 3 as 3. The faces cards, J, K, Q, and 10 are counted as zero. A single score of 9 is called Le Grande.

Combinations that sum of up to 8 or 9 are called “Naturals”. A Natural hand will win if the competing player has cards of a lower value. In case both have naturals, the 9 will trump the 8. When the first-hand draws a natural combination, a second hand will not be dealt. However, when the player’s first and second hands add up to less than 5, then a third hand will be dealt. The banker will only draw a third card if the rules allow it. For a banker to draw a third card:

The banker’s cards must be 2 or under
The total is 3 and under, and the player has not drawn an 8
If the total is 4 and the player’s card was neither 0, 1, 8, or 9
If the total was 6 and the player’s third card was 4, 5, 6, or 7
If the total was 6 and the player’s third card was 6 or 7
The banker cannot draw a third card if the total was 7.

Placing a Bet

Baccarat casino online games can be played for free or using real money. In free online baccarat casino games, the gamer is provided with in-game currency that can be used as stake.

Gamblers who do not have a seat at the table can only bet on the player or banker’s win or tie. A winning bet pays 1:1 on any side. Tie bets pay 8:1 but will often have lower odds. A winning bet on the banker attracts 5% commission levy that has to be submitted to the house after every play. It is so because the banker benefits from a statistical advantage over the player.

Online Casinos with Baccarat

Playing baccarat online is easy. There are plenty of options for online baccarat for UK players. Being a casino staple, baccarat games can be found in almost any online gambling establishment. Some of the best online baccarat casinos include:

Dunder
Casimba Casino
Party Casino
Matchbook Casino
Grand Ivy Casino
Casino Dreams
Fun Casino
Royal Panda Casino
Gate 777
NetBet
Go Bet
RedBet Casino
Energy Casino

Live Baccarat

Live baccarat combines the elegant elitism of online baccarat and the fast-paced odd and strategy experience in brick and mortar casinos. Baccarat live casinos offer the players an enticing house edge of just over 1.06%. They also offer customizable features like HD streaming, adjustable camera angles, chat windows, and choice of dealers and croupiers.

Game settings consoles may also come with autoplay and reset functions that assist the player to monitor his earning as the game progresses.

Counting on Luck

Since the game was first played in Italy many years back, many gamblers have tried to come up with baccarat strategies in casinos. The blind truth is that a game is out of the player’s hands. It relies purely on luck. Neither the dealer nor the player can have much control over the gameplay. To learn how to play baccarat in casinos is simple. Therefore, before resorting to useless strategies, here are a few baccarat casino game tips:

Place your bet on either the banker or the player; a tie will rarely occur
The banker has a higher chance of winning than the player. However, a winning bet on the banker is subject to a 5% commission
Place on consistent bet on the banker until he loses
Pick online baccarat casinos with a bonus that can be used on baccarat

This is a good game that can be enjoyed in any of the baccarat casinos listed above. It is one of the more lucrative games in online casinos and also one of few that give the player an edge over the house.

FAQs

Is online baccarat legal to play?

Yes, baccarat is a licensed casino game that is offered in many casinos across the globe. You can wager on baccarat tables at any online casino that admits players of your nationality.

Is it popular in the UK?

A perusal of baccarat casino reviews will reveal that baccarat is an extremely popular game in the UK. It has a sophisticated feel and is easy to play on account of its simple rules.

What are different types of baccarat?

There are many variations of the game, some more popular than others. Among the main variations are Punto Banco, Baccarat Banque, and Chemin de Fer.