Thread: Sharing Some Newbie Baccarat Tips: Let's Learn

When it comes to the game of baccarat rules are different than one might expect! What I love is that there isn't really a long list of rules like those you will find for other casino games. But at the same time, there's so many variations like mini-baccarat, midi-baccarat, mackarrat, punto banco, chemin de fer, and more. Plus, to become a pro you have to learn progressive betting systems and the like.

However, the most important rule for playing baccarat of course is that you should play this game for the fun of playing and a love of chance. This is a game that is largely about chance after all.

Really knowing the goal of any game is the first step to take towards understanding the game. For example, in blackjack, your goal is to come closer to the sum of "21" than the dealer without going over. This means if you hold cards totaling "21" in your hand you are a likely winner unless the dealer ties your score.

When playing baccarat, your goal is to correctly determine whether you or the dealer will reach the total nearest to "9" with the cards you have each been dealt. You bet on whom you believe has the winning hand rather than on how likely it is that your hand will be the winner. Unlike blackjack, you have the option of betting on a tie when playing baccarat.

Calling all baccarat noobs, what more can you add?

An important point for young players to know is the card values unique to baccarat.

Only single digit card values are counted in baccarat. This means that a 10, Jack, Queen, or King are counted as zero and have no value. An Ace on the other hand is given the value of 1. If the sum of the cards dealt are greater than ten the value of the cards is subtracted by 10 until a single digit number is reduced.

This means that a 10 and a 6 will have the collective value in Baccarat of 6. While a hand that includes an Ace and a Jack will have the collective value of 1. The valuation of cards is probably the most difficult of baccarat rules to master but the most important when it comes to playing for keeps.

Initially you and the bank are dealt two cards each. You may opt to take a third card under certain circumstances that fall under the third card rule. According to the third card rule, if you, the player, opt not to draw the third card the bank must draw if their total is 5 or less and stand at 6 or more. It gets a little more complicated on the part of the bank if you choose to draw.

If the banks value is less than 3 it must draw regardless of what numbered card you draw. If the value of the banks hand is less than 4 then the bank must draw another card if your drawn card is anything other than an 8. If the banks value is less than 5 it draws when your drawn card is 0, 1, 8, or 9. The bank will draw when you draw a 4, 5, 6, or 7 if its value is less than 6 and if your card is either a 6 or a 7 and it's value is less than 7. The bank will stand at 7 regardless.