How To Play Baccarat: Rules for Beginners

Baccarat online is a simple card game where players bet on whether the "player's hand" or the "banker's hand" will have a higher value. The goal is to reach a total of 9 or as close to 9 as possible. Cards 2-9 are face value, 10, J, Q, and K are 0, and an Ace is 1. Only the last digit of the total counts. If both hands have the same value, it's a tie. Baccarat's popularity stems from its easy rules, fast pace, and low house edge. If you love suspense and enjoy quick-format games, Baccarat should definitely be on the list of games you want to try.

Basic Rules To Remember

The main objective of any Baccarat game, regardless of its particular variation, is to predict which hand, the "player's" or the "banker's," will have a total value closer to 9. Each hand consists of two cards and the value of each card is determined as follows:

• Cards 2-9 are face value.
• 10, Jack, Queen, and King have a value of 0.
• Ace has a value of 1.

Only the last digit of the total is considered. For example, a hand with a total of 17 would have a value of 7.

There are a few key rules to remember:

• Natural Hand: If either the player or the banker has a total of 8 or 9 with their first two cards, it's called a "natural" and the hand is automatically over. The hand with the higher natural wins.
• Third Card Rules: If neither hand has a natural, a third card may be dealt based on specific rules. These rules vary depending on the variation of baccarat being played but generally involve comparing the player's hand to the banker's hand and determining whether a third card should be dealt to either hand.
• Winning: The hand with a total closer to 9 wins. If both hands have the same total, a tie is called.

How To Play Baccarat

In an online baccarat game, the process usually unfolds like this:

1. Betting: Once you've logged into the online casino and selected the baccarat table, you'll be presented with a betting layout. Here, you'll place your wager on either the "player's hand," the "banker's hand," or a tie. Lucky Tiger makes use of betting limits to accommodate players of all budgets.
2. Card Dealing: After the betting period closes, the dealer will deal two cards face-up to both the player and the banker. The value of each hand is determined based on the rules outlined earlier.
3. Third Card Rules: If neither hand has a total of 8 or 9 (a "natural"), a third card may be dealt based on specific rules. These rules vary slightly depending on the variation of baccarat being played. Still, they generally involve comparing the player's hand to the banker's hand and determining whether a third card should be dealt to either hand. For example, if the player has a total of 5, a third card will be dealt unless the banker has a total of 8 or 9.
4. Determining the Winner: Once all cards have been dealt, the hand with a total closer to 9 wins. If both hands have the same total, it's a tie.
5. Payouts: Winning bets are paid out according to the odds set by the casino. Typically, bets on the banker's hand have a slight house edge, while bets on the player's hand and ties have higher odds.

Baccarat online at Lucky Tiger Casino offers several advantages over the traditional brick-and-mortar version. You can play at your own pace, enjoy a wider range of betting limits, and often benefit from bonuses and promotions. Additionally, we have live dealer baccarat tables, which provide a more immersive experience with real-time interaction.