Live Baccarat: Everything you need to know as a beginner
Suave, sophisticated, and sensational — the game of Baccarat is a firm favourite of casino fans, as well as none other than James Bond himself. The popular table game is likely to be found in a land-based casino, but now, thanks to the wonders of technology and Playtech Studios, you can experience the immersive and refined game from the comfort of your own home with Baccarat live!
If you’re intrigued by the chance to play like a secret agent, but are new to scene, then not to worry, as this guide we take you through everything you need to know about Baccarat as a beginner.
Live Baccarat: Everything you need to know as a beginner
How to play the game
Like all casino games, Baccarat is mainly a game of luck, but if you have an understanding of how to play, then you can enhance your experience, especially if you are delving into the live online version.
The main aim of the game is to have a total in your hand that is nearest to nine. For this game, it’s only you against the dealer, who is known as the ‘banker’. There are three types of bets that you can place:
- Player– you predict that your hand will be closest to the total of nine
- Banker– you predict that the dealer will have the winning hand, closest to nine
- Tie– you predict that both you and the banker will have the same final total
The first of these bets is placed before any cards are dealt. From there, the dealer and the player both get a set of two cards. What happens next depends on the total of each hand. In Baccarat, the cards from two to nine (of any suit) are worth their face value, with each of the royal cards and 10 having a value of zero, and finally Aces are worth one.
The total of the hand is always based on the last digit of the sum of cards, hence why the best and highest total is the well-sought after nine. For example, a hand with a two and three card will total to five, whereas a hand of six and eight will have a final value of four, as the last digit of 14 (their total) is four.
Once the total of the two cards has been calculated, if the value of the player’s card is between zero and five, they are dealt another card. A value of six or seven means that the player stands with their two cards, and finally if the player has a value of eight or nine the game is over. This also applies to the dealer’s hand. As aforementioned, the winning hand is that which is closest to nine, and your pay-out depends on the prediction you’ve made.
What can you expect from the live version?
When it comes to Live Baccarat, all of the rules of the game remain in place but you will be presented with a real-life dealer and watch as the game unfolds in real-time. The studio will have all of the physical equipment in order to play the game, and a range of high definition (HD) cameras, which will stream all the action to your screen at home. Plus, there is always different angles in play, so you’ll never miss a beat.
For the live version of Baccarat, you can also expect the following pay-outs to the relevant bet:
- Player– 1:1
- Banker– 0.95:1
- Tie– 8:1
Depending on the casino site, there also may be various side bets to place your wager on, such as the Perfect Pair, which can up the ante of the game and pay-out a significant prize, if you so happen to win with your prediction.
