Are you new to the game of online baccarat?
It’s normal to feel hesitant before hopping into your first game, since baccarat is an equal combination of luck and strategy. As a player, you’ll face off against the dealer by betting on the outcome of two hands.
If you’re just starting out with baccarat theory, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ll set you on the path to success with 5 top tips for baccarat newbies.
1. Steer Clear of The Tie Bet
Veteran baccarat players aren’t shy about doling out this piece of advice.
The tie bet offers one of the highest house edges in the industry, coming in at 9.5% — a heap load more than the modest banker bet (1.06%) and player bet (1.24%). In fact, only keno’s obscenely high house edge (15% to 29%) can top it.
The tie bet’s high house edge is a result of the bet’s payout rate of between 8:1 and 9:1 — depending on the casino you’re playing at.
Despite the prospect of a substantial payout, be aware that ties only win 9.5% of the time.
Compare this to the odds of a player’s hand (44.6%) or banker’s hand (45.8%) winning, and you’ll understand why this bet is so unpopular.
If you’re just getting started, you’ll probably want to focus on consistently growing your bankroll. You can do so effectively by avoiding the bad odds offered by tie bets.
2. Opt for The Banker Bet
This simple — yet effective — tip is endorsed by baccarat pros in Canada and worldwide.
As we mentioned, the odds of the banker’s hand winning are the highest in the game (45.8%). Couple these odds with the modest house edge of 1.06%, and you’re set for a decent profit if luck is on your side.
If you were to bet on the banker and win, you’d receive a sizeable payout percentage of 98.94%. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the banker bet is the safest and probably most profitable baccarat bet in the long term.
3. Stick with Smaller Bets
As a rookie, you should take this tip with you to any casino game you try. If you’re unfamiliar with a game, its rules, and the top strategies, begin with smaller bets so you have less to lose.
Essentially, you’ll be giving yourself some space to learn the ropes without the threat of a massive real money bet on the line.
Nurturing your bankroll is of the utmost importance if you see yourself gambling online for the foreseeable future. Kick any impatience to the side and start small. You can increase your bets as you begin to grasp some of baccarat’s leading strategies.
4. Find Your Favourite Variant
A large portion of baccarat’s popularity can be attributed to the impressive range of variants available at online casinos around the world.
Some of the most popular variants include:
- Punto Banco
- Chemin de Fer
- Baccarat Banque
- EZ Baccarat
- Super 6
- Mini Baccarat
It’s up to you to try as many variants as you can to work out your favourite. Not only will this be an enjoyable experience, but you’ll also be able to eventually zone in on one variant and hone your skills.
Some variants differ wildly from the others, and you may very well find that your style of gaming suits one more than another.
5. Watch Live Baccarat Games
What better way to learn than by watching the pros themselves?
Regularly following online baccarat games is the perfect way to pick up new tricks and study the experts as they make waves in the industry. You’ll also start to grasp some of the lingo while you’re at it.
The more you watch, the more familiar you’ll become with the game. This is a good way to build your own confidence and pick up on baccarat etiquette and some other important social cues.
You’ll be intrigued by some of the strategies wielded by baccarat aficionados, and pretty soon you’ll be able to put them to practice yourself.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve discovered the 5 top tips for new baccarat players, you’re probably desperate to get your feet wet in a real game.
Before you go, though, make sure to familiarize yourself with baccarat’s rules so you don’t find yourself confused and overwhelmed in your very first game.
Pretty soon, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a pro.
