Some novice gamblers shy away from baccarat simply because of the game's foreign-sounding name. Actually, the correct pronunciation is “back-ah-rah,” not “back-o-rat” - yet, whether you go with the high-falutin' French or its goony Americanized form, something ridiculous like the sound of a game's name definitely shouldn't deter you from giving it a shot. This is especially true in the case of baccarat, which has the simplest rules of any casino card game. What's more, learning to play it online is hellova advantageous because not only can you place your bets at any pace and learn the rules in a comfortable environment, but there are absolutely no other players to worry about.
We've laid out a complete overview of baccarat's rules is here, but really, it doesn't take much to understand the game's premise. Each time a round of baccarat is played, there are only three possible results:
- The "player" wins
OR
- The "dealer" wins
OR
- The "player" and "dealer" tie
Also, most folks believe there are strategies out there that can help you win, but the reality is that, although baccarat is a card game, its structure and rules make it entirely chance-based. This isn't to say, though, that a little bit of know-how won't give you an edge. In fact, there's tons to learn about the game before you could even begin to call yourself a real baccarat player, and wouldn't you know, Gambling Planet has brought together the most important aspects in one easy-to-read Baccarat Strategy article.
Baccarat has long been a staple casino game worldwide. Yet its history is relatively unknown. According to what few records survive, the game originated in Italy sometime during the 15th century. Knowledge of the game's inventor, original players and exact moment of conception, however, remains elusive. Today, many view casinos' baccarat areas as the most exclusive, elegant parts of their gaming floors. A complete history and timeline of baccarat's development - so far as it's known - can be found at here.
In addition, you should note that baccarat varies depending on where you play it. For instance, the game is played very differently in Europe than it is in the U.S. and Asia, with the biggest variance being the different versions' percentage payoff (or money won) per game. Baccarat can also be found at online casinos, each of which normally provides a wealth of information on how to play its particular form.
Depending on which casino you're playing at, baccarat can vary in slight, insignificant ways, or be so different from other versions that it's almost an entirely different game. The basics of the game are normally the same, but subtle differences like the total number of players allowed at the table, the table size, the number of decks involved and the payout percentages can totally redefine how the game’s momentum. One of the most popular baccarat-style casino games in the U.S. is called "Mini Baccarat." Mini Baccarat is almost identical to regular American Baccarat except that its table is smaller, only seven people may play at one time, and the rules allow for only one croupier. Other baccarat permutations include the French game Chemin de Fer, the original European version, and a European spin-off called Baccarat en Banque.
Gambling on baccarat was once reserved for only the most sophisticated players. This is because casinos used to rope off baccarat areas in a bid to make the relatively fair game seem like a high-rollers’ table, and wouldn't you know it, most people actually bought into their intimidation tactics. But today, thanks to online casinos and the growing popularity of Mini Baccarat, more and more people are realizing it's OK to gamble on the game. As a result, it’s become a top-tier fave among those who want a game that's almost as easy to win as a coin toss. Sheer, old-fashioned luck is the basis for every bet placed on a game of baccarat. And the best piece of advice when it comes to gambling on baccarat is to quit while you're ahead - no matter how tempting it is to keep going.
For more information on the baccarat's bets and a full rundown of its gambling probabilities, check out our Baccarat Probabilities section.
