Basic Baccarat FAQ’s

Below is a list of FAQ to use as a reference guide to understanding the basics of Baccarat.

1. What is the objective of Baccarat?
2. How many dealers are there?
3. Why are three dealers needed?
4. What are the variations of Baccarat?
5. Where does the name come from?
6. How are hands dealt?
7. What skill is required to play Baccarat?
8. How does the points value work?
9. What is a winning hand?
10. Can I go bust?
11. What are the positions on a Baccarat table?
12. What are the possible outcomes?
13. What happens when there's a tie?
14. What is a natural?
15. Is there a visible pattern in Baccarat?
16. Is it smart to bet on the banker?
17. Does card counting have a place in Baccarat?
18. What is Mini Baccarat?
19. What are the positions on a Mini Baccarat table?
20. Are there any bonuses available for online Baccarat?

1. What is the objective of Baccarat?

When playing Baccarat, players place a bet that a hand will total the highest number of points up to 9.

2. How many dealers are there?

A full table of 14 will include 3 dealers at one time.

3. Why are three dealers needed?

Two dealers remain on one end of the table near the chips handling player bets while the third is located in the middle of the table to make calls and manage the game.

4. What are the variations of Baccarat?

Also known as American Baccarat, the game has three variations including Punto Banco, Baccarat Chemin de fer and Baccarat Banque.

5. Where does the name come from?

Baccarat is a centuries old game with the name based on the Italian word ‘baccara', which means zero relating to the value of 10's and face cards.

6. How are hands dealt?

Cards one and three from the shoe go to the player with the second and fourth cards dealt to the banker.

7. What skill is required to play Baccarat?

Since it is based on chance rather than skill, the player only needs to decide the amount and whether place a bet on the 'player', the 'banker' or a tie. Once the game is in progress, it's all the luck of the draw.

8. How does the points value work?

In Baccarat, each card has a point value from 0 to 9.

2's through 9's are worth face value.

10's, J's, Q's and K's are worth 0 points.

Aces are worth 1 point.

9. What is a winning hand?

The player wins when the total of their hand is higher than the banker.

10. Can I go bust?

Unlike Blackjack the player cannot go bust, which means they achieve a score over 9.

11. What are the positions on a Baccarat table?

There are 6 positions on a Baccarat table including:

• Caller ("Croupier")
• Dealer
• Player
• Drop Box
• Discard Trays
• Tips box

12. What are the possible outcomes?

Bets are placed on the player, banker or the hand may result in a tie.

13. What happens when there's a tie?

All wagers are returned unless a bet was placed on a tie. If a tie bet was placed, the bettor will win.

14. What is a natural?

A natural refers to a hand that has a total of 8 or 9. No additional cards are dealt except when the hand is not a natural, a third card may be drawn.

15. Is there a visible pattern in Baccarat?

No. One hand does not affect the next and is completely based on chance leaving no room to calculate an accurate strategy.

16. Is it smart to bet on the banker?

With any form of gambling, the house often has the edge and Baccarat is no different. Taking advantage of this and betting on the banker reduces the house edge but it is not recommended to always bet on the banker.

17. Does card counting have a place in Baccarat?

As with any other strategy for Baccarat, card counting is not effective. The most meticulous mathematical counting may perhaps gain the player minimal results in a live game. In the online world, the cards are reshuffled after each hand and decks never leave the shoe.

18. What is Mini Baccarat?

Players have lower betting limits and the table is smaller to accommodate 7 players unlike the than the classic version.

19. What are the positions on a Mini Baccarat table?

There are 6 positions including:

• Chip stacks
• Commission Boxes
• Tie betting area
• Banker betting area
• Player betting area
• The Shoe

20. Are there any bonuses available for online Baccarat?

Most online casino bonuses exclude Baccarat but there are bonuses for Table Games that do include the game. It is important to note the allowed games prior to accepting the offer to ensure that Baccarat will count toward wagering requirements.