Live Baccarat strategy | Learn which strategies are best

Baccarat is one of the best casino games to learn as it is incredibly easy to play. The fast-paced dynamic will appeal to those who enjoy the surge of adrenaline that comes from placing bets and predicting outcomes and the online version has a wide range of table stakes that suit every bankroll.

When it comes to beating the house, Baccarat has the lowest house edge of all casino games, so there is a great chance to walk away with a life-changing sum of money as you place your bets by which character you feel will receive cards that will be closer to the value of 9.

Place your bets and watch as the dealer issues the Banker and Player with two cards each and have them revealed to confirm the outcome. Those who have correctly predicted how the round will turn out quickly receive their winnings and the next round begins.

Baccarat moves quickly with as many as 400 hands per hour in the online game and will act as the perfect bridge if you love playing the slots and are looking to give table games a try.

What is house edge?

Think of the house edge as the casino advantage. House edge is like the return to player (RTP) of slot games that are advertised by casino game software developers and focuses on the player advantage.

In online slots, the house edge hovers between 3% and up to 10% in a few variations like progressive slots. For the table games, Blackjack has a house edge of about 2% while Roulette is between 2.75% and 5.26%. Craps is a bit better with a casino advantage of between 1.36% and 1.41% and Baccarat bets range between 1.06% and 1.24%.

While the implementation of this advantage may differ from one game to the next for example the poker rake, the sportsbook vig and the tote pool percentage, the principle remains the same. In the case of casino games in particular, even though the house edge or RTP is purely theoretical, it is a good indication of your chance to beat the house and cash in more than what you started with.

The house edge is calculated as an average taken over thousands of hands so it doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t win it all or the opposite. Card counters enjoy games like live Blackjack where they can use their knowledge and skills to turn this edge in their favour.

Is Baccarat a game of chance or skill?

New casino players may automatically assume that all card games require skill and deduce that Baccarat is included under that umbrella. In American Baccarat or Punto Banco, the fates of the cards are decided automatically.

This is the most common form of Baccarat that is played at many online casinos where the Punto, or Player, and Banco, or Banker are the only characters who receive two cards each. The Player is a character in the game of Baccarat rather than a punter at the table who places bets.

This is particularly true in the online version of the game. It is simply the name given to the component who plays against the Banker, who is also not necessarily the dealer in the game. In land-based Baccarat, the punter takes his or her turn as the Player or Banker.

With that in mind, it is clear to see that Baccarat is simply a game of chance as punters place bets as to who they feel will receive cards with the value closest to 9.

Which Baccarat bet is best?

In the game of Baccarat, punters have one of three choices. Either they bet that the Banker will receive the stronger hand, or the Player will win that round or that the Banker and Player will receive cards of the same value and therefore, Tie.

Each of these betting options has advantages and disadvantages which is reflected in the house edge and therefore offers insights into which one will pay off the most frequently.

The Tie Bet

The Tie bet is tempting because of its payout of 8:1 in most Baccarat variations. As each character in the game is dealt 2 cards which are then tallied together to establish the total, punters bet that both the Banker and Player will receive cards that reach the same total.

The house edge for this option is over 14%.

The Player Bet

Popular with punters who use betting strategies like Martingale and Paroli, this bet has a payout of 1:1 and can be a lucrative option. The house edge for this option is 1.24% and considered an excellent choice for many experienced players.

The Banker Bet

With its house edge of just 1.06%, this bet is by far the most popular choice for those in the know. With odds of 1:1, casinos may take a commission of up to 5% on these bets to offset the player advantage.

There are, however, some casinos that take a smaller percentage and others who don’t take a commission at all. Keep an eye out for these games for the chance to cash in even more of your winnings.

Baccarat Strategy

Now that we’ve covered the house edge and odds, let’s learn about which strategy is best to ensure when playing Baccarat. There are a few betting strategies that are used by those who take gambling very seriously and, while there is no guarantee, can mitigate loss as far as possible.

Will the Martingale strategy work for me?

The Martingale strategy has been popular since the 18th century and is widely used across all casino games, especially table games. It is even used in Forex trading and other investments for its ability to pay off in the long term.

Keeping in mind that this is the big picture approach, you would double your bet size with each loss with the view that everything will balance off in the end and, by the time you leave the table, you will have accumulated a profit.

This is best used by players with a large bankroll who have the time to play many hands for the best chance at this system working to their advantage.

Is the Paroli system a better bet?

The Paroli system is similar to Martingale and suggests that you double your bet with each win.

This is an excellent choice for those who win frequently and can lead to a healthy profit if played strategically.

What is the Fibonacci system?

This betting system works on a principle of placing your bets in increasing increments that is determined by the sum of the last two bets. For example, you would start by betting $1, then $2. Your next bet would be $3, then $5, then $8, then $13 etc. This would keep increasing until your first win, at which point that value would be crossed off the sequence and you’d start again.

The biggest positive about this system is that it can be applied to those who have small, and large bankrolls. It is also entirely up to you as to which sequence you put in place and how long you keep playing.

Is the Labouchere system similar to Fibonacci?

While the Labouchere is also a sequential betting system, the sequence can be established in advance as it relies on you adding the first and last numbers of the sequence to determine the bet for that round.

Let’s say the sequence is 1 – 20 and a number is added after each loss. Your first bet would be $21, then $23 (21+2), followed by $25 (22+3) etc. Once you win, the first and last numbers of the sequence are removed as you move to the next combination until a single number remains.

Like Fibonacci, it is entirely up to you as to where the sequence will start and how much time will be allocated to it. Suitable for bankrolls of all sizes, this betting system can lead to a profit when used strategically.

Tips for bankroll management?

Before you start playing, set a guideline for yourself as to how much you can afford to spend. By setting a boundary on your bankroll, you can then select the casino game that will best stretch the bankroll for hours of fun.

$500 will be gone in a flash at a table where $100 per hand is the order of the day. But if you choose games that only require $1 per hand, you can play for ages with that same $500.

Now that you have set up your bankroll and selected the casino game, take care to keep a level head while playing. It is easy to get caught up in the game and place your bets willy nilly as you try to chase your losses.

Remember to take a break now and then to make a careful assessment of your goals.

How can I win when playing casino games?

Baccarat, like other games of chance, is a fantastic way to relax after a long day in the office. As you decompress and try your hand at predicting the outcome of a game, you can switch from working hard to playing hard and maybe even win some cash for your efforts.

The important thing to remember when playing casino games is that it should be fun. All reputable online casinos are only too happy to put you in touch with support groups that can offer advice and counselling while you assess the effects of gambling in your life.

The best way to win while playing casino games is to gamble responsibly by making use of the tools on offer to ensure you always have an exciting and invigorating time at the casino.

Which responsible gambling tools are at my disposal?

Deposit Limits

From the moment you register an account with one of our recommended online casinos, the casino operator will encourage you to set daily, weekly or monthly deposit limits to help you to stay within the budget you have set for yourself.

Once you have purchased casino credit to the value you have specified, the casino puts measures in place to discourage further spending and, in doing so, makes it easy for you to stick to what you had planned.

Reality Check

Casino game software providers include a message that appears on your screen after an hour of play to show you how long you have played and how much has been spent during that time.

This message is an excellent opportunity for you to assess as to whether you’re still having fun or if it might be a good time to step away from the screen for a bit.

Self-exclusion

Should you wish to take a longer break, the online casino will only be too glad to help you lock your account for some time while you get in touch with one of the support agencies and get some advice about gambling responsibly.

We have also made a wide range of responsible gambling tools available in a dedicated section for you to read and make use of. For those who are interested or concerned about the gambling habits of their friends and loved ones, it covers several areas to look out for and makes suggestions of what you can do to help.

The best strategy for Baccarat is to risk what you can afford to lose and know when it’s time to walk away. Gambling is a great deal of fun and a pastime with a difference that can have you meeting people from all over the world and learning new skills. Keep this in mind at all times and you will win more than just cash prizes.

Remember to check out our recommended online casinos and use the links provided to open an online casino account, claim your welcome package and play games for real money. Once you’re all signed up, you have a mobile casino in your pocket that you can play while you’re on the go. Why not give it a try today and start your journey to winning? You can thank us later!

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