One of the most popular games also known as Punto Blanco is Baccarat. This is a game of pure luck, but there are strategies you can test out in order to control the way you bet, reduce your losses, and maximise your wins.
We are in the very early stages of developing this page, but you can expect as much strategy here as you see on our ‘Video Slots Guide’ and ‘Blackjack Guide’ pages which you will find alongside our casino reviews on the homepage.
For the time being, we will introduce you to the basics of the game while we build up our baccarat strategy guide. The good news is, this is a very simple game to learn, and within no time you can play this game at online casinos and mobile casinos like a pro!
Betting
The betting is really simple in this game as you only have 3 options. Either bet on the banker or the player to win even odds bets. As an additional side bet you can bet on the tie that pays 8-1. The odds of a tie are around 12-1, so if a tie doesn’t come up after 4 hands it’s well worth putting money down on this option from there on after until it comes in.
Playing Baccarat Rules
In a strange way, this is a lot like Blackjack except you don’t get to choose whether to hit or stand. However, the idea is to get as close to a number as possible, which in this case is number 9. Also in Baccarat, you can’t go bust.
The rules are simple to calculate your final hand, but then they get a little more complicated when it comes to drawing for a third card, which you have no choice in the matter.
If you are dealt 3-4, your total is 7, but if you are dealt 10-8 this is a better hand. This not because the cards are higher as such it is because you always have to subtract 10 every time your total hand equals over a total of 10. For instance, the 10-8 hand is 18, so this is clearly over 10, therefore you would subtract 10 giving you a total of 8.
Being dealt a 4-6 would give you a similar situation because you have 11 – here your total would be a lowly 1.
Drawing for the Third Card
Banker’s hand totals 2 or under, the banker receives another card disregarding the player’s hand.
Banker’s hand totals 2, the banker receives another card, but this only occurs if the player’s number 3 card was 8.
Banker’s hand totals 4, the banker receives another card, but this only occurs if the player’s number 3 card was a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.
Banker’s hand totals 5, the banker receives another card, but this only occurs if the player’s number 3 card was a 4, 5, 6, or 7.
Banker’s hand totals 6, the banker receives another card, but this only occurs if the player’s number 3 card was a 6 or 7.
Banker’s hand totals 7, the banker will not draw for another card.
Where to Play Baccarat
You can check out the online casino reviews on our home page. Each of these casinos comes recommended by our team of online and mobile casino experts. Most of them have an Android or iOS app download available to players from both Singapore and Malaysia, while there some casinos like Newtown that also have a Windows app.