Baccarat is one of the simplest casino games, which explains why it has transcended generations. Learning the rules takes minutes, and the chances of making bank with this game are high. No wonder it was once the go-to game for James Bond!
Now, anyone who wants to join in on the fun (and money) can do so by signing up on an online casino. And with reputable choices like k9win, starting the baccarat journey should be effortless. But before you start playing this game, let’s focus on some tips that everyone should know before trying Baccarat:
The Baccarat Starter Guide
Whether you are a beginner or an ardent baccarat player, it always helps to familiarize yourself with tips and strategies. So, what must you keep in mind when engaging in Baccarat online?
1. The Rules Matter
Baccarat is such a fast game that it can end in seconds. And that means that if you barely understand what’s happening, you can lose money every few minutes. Interestingly, some people start playing the game without knowledge, hoping to get the hang of it as it ensues. But this is often a recipe for disaster. Your best bet lies in understanding what’s happening so you can react strategically.
The game is quite simple.
It has two starting hands dealt by the dealer within seconds of each other. The player and the banker both get two cards.
You decide if you will bet on the banker or the player. You can also bet on the tie, thus totaling three possible outcomes.
The hand with a total closest to 9 wins.
Generally, the rules seem simple at a glance. However, the scoring system is complicated and determines whether the banker and player will draw a third hand. Even so, you can get started on the game by understanding these simple rules.
2. Your Money Counts
You make an investment when you place a wager on a baccarat game. And like with any other investment, you must prepare for the outcomes. You could win or end up walking away from the game with nothing. It’s a reality that every player must face before putting any money into the game.
Here’s how you can protect yourself when playing Baccarat:
Set a limit on what you will invest. How much money are you willing to lose in the game? That’s the sum you should invest in any of the games. For example, if you have $100, which you can afford to lose, that’s what you invest. This money should not be intended for savings, utilities, or urgent financial needs. Else, you can end up in a pretty bad place.
Watch your bankroll. You may have started the game with $100, and you end up making $150. Are you willing to walk away from the game with those earnings? You should be clear about when you are willing to walk away from the game. And the only way to do this is by having a goal. When you reach it, walk away, and when you run out of cash, you also leave the game. Otherwise, you can lose what you have made when you play without a clear goal.
Do not chase losses. People often find themselves playing even after losing their original set amount. It usually results from investing more money than they should have or losing all their earnings. Unfortunately, chasing losses typically results in more losses. So, no matter how hard it feels to walk away from what you think is a sure bet, leave the game.
3. Avoid the Tie Bet
We had mentioned earlier that you could make three types of bets in Baccarat – player, banker, or tie. You may have noticed that many people bet on the banker or player and avoid the ties. But do you know why? Let’s focus on the three options.
Betting on the banker usually has a probability of 46% coupled with a house edge of 1.06%. This increased probability results from the order of the play and the effect of the rules. Because this bet has a high probability, it has a 19/20 payout which is slightly lower than what you would get from the tie bet.
Betting on the player is also common, thanks to its probability of 44.5%, with a house edge of 1.26%. This house edge allows you to benefit from value odds that help you make a lot of money from your wager.
Betting on the tie bet is uncommon owing to its low probability of 9.5%. Additionally, the house edge stands at 13.8%, which explains its payout of 8 to 1. The tie bet wins once in every ten hands on average. So, if you continually bet on it, you could still lose money regardless of your betting strategy.
Baccarat is not a game of skill; instead, it depends on luck. Winning thus comes down to pinpointing the most likely outcomes and capitalizing on them. Naturally, choosing a tie bet would thus lower your winning chances.
4. Honor the Randomness
Have you ever played the lottery? If yes, you know how hard it is to win the game by relying on past results. Some people do the math, choose the numbers that have won the most times and place their wagers. But they do not win because the results are so highly randomized that using past results does not help. If these systems worked, almost everyone would win the lottery!
That same concept works in Baccarat. You may have encountered systems that use past results to predict future outcomes. Maybe the system tells you to bet on the banker twice, the player once, and the tie thrice. But what’s the chance that those predictions will be correct? Baccarat, like any other game of chance, is highly randomized. Every game is independent of the next; you cannot rely on patterns to predict the outcomes.
So, rely on your gut and budget instead of using these proven patterns. Bet what you think is likely, and consider how it affects your money.
5. Use Rewards to Your Benefit
The best thing about playing Baccarat online is that you can use an array of betting sites. Most of these offer rewards to new and existing clients. So, here’s how you go about it:
- Filter sites by those that offer bonuses and look for the ones with the highest rewards,
- Consider the wagering requirements and strike off the sites with unfair terms, and
- Use the rewards to reduce your capital investment which will help hedge the wagering risk.
If you can find a site that offers a loyalty program, sign up, as the more you play, the more promotions you will enjoy.
Should you use betting strategies in Baccarat? Yes and no. If you want to increase your chances of winning, no strategy can help you, as Baccarat is a game of luck. But if you need a system to help you manage your money, using a strategy is a good idea!
