Punto banco, or as it is more commonly known, Baccarat, is one of the oldest and most popular online casino games worldwide. High-rollers and Asian gamblers love it, and it is one of the most popular games played in casinos in Macau. While the game appears serious and sophisticated, like blackjack, it is actually very simple and friendly to beginners.
In today’s article, we’ll be looking at an important statistic included in all casino games; the house edge, and what this looks like in the context of Baccarat.
What is House Edge?
The casino or the 'house' has an advantage over the player in regards to their chances in baccarat. This is shown by the "house edge," which is the average gross profit that a casino site can expect to make from each game when averaged out over hundreds of thousands of hands. The remaining percentage is known as the RTP or ‘return to player’. As this is the average statistical value, room is allowed for random chance, which is why lucky players might ‘beat the odds’ and come back with a healthy prize pool at the end of a session.
It is important to emphasise that the house-edge percentage is a statistical average, and there’s nothing legal that the casino can do to guarantee a certain degree of wins or losses. In the case of real-world or live casino games, the human element - as in the dealer shuffling the cards (with or without the added assistance of a mechanical shuffler) ensures random outcomes, while in online versions random number generation (RNG) software fully randomises outcomes, which is where ‘lucky streaks’ and ‘losing streaks’ in the short term can be accounted for.
Put simply, in the very long term; the house always wins due to the house-edge percentage, while in the short term, the impacts of random chance mean that some outcomes can defy the statistical estimate.
How Does House Edge Work in Baccarat?
In the game of baccarat, the house edge is determined by the number of decks that are used and the bets that are offered. When there are eight decks in play, the "Player" bet has a house edge of 1.24%. The "Banker" bet provides improved baccarat odds with a smaller house edge of 1.06%, even though it incurs a charge of 5% on wins.
When it comes to baccarat, the third betting option is for a "Tie," which provides the house with a 14.4% advantage when it pays out at an 8:1 ratio and 4.85% when it pays out at a 9:1 ratio. Bets placed on the player or the banker will be pushed in the event of a tie, and the players will receive their wagers back and the game will continue.
It is generally accepted that the player hand is the winner 44.6% of the time, while the banker hand is the winner approximately 45.8% of the time. There are 9.6% of rounds that end in a tie.
How to Play Baccarat?
Baccarat is a game with a long and interesting history, and one of the reasons why it has existed for so long, relatively unchanged, is down to its simplicity which allows players of all skill levels to enjoy the fun. A round of baccarat can be broken down into the following simple steps:
Register at Prime Casino and sign in to your account on your chosen device (including mobile ones). Take your time browsing our available baccarat games and select the one that you like best. Punto Banco, literally translating to ‘player banker’ is another common name for Baccarat, and is the version of the game that is played the most frequently; nevertheless, there is a vast variety of other variants that can be played such as Chemin De Fer.
Once the game has been loaded onto the device of your choice, you will need to select the size of the casino chips and then make sure that they are placed on the appropriate wager that you intend to make. When you are learning how to play baccarat online, you have complete control over the pace of play, which means that you may take as much time as you like to determine the bets and deal the cards into the deck, while baccarat's live variants have the benefit of a live chat and real dealer to aid you.
Aside from side bets that change between variants, when betting in baccarat, you have three simple options; to wager either the player or the banker will win or that there will be a tie. Following the placement of the wager, the dealer will deal the cards per the rules of the game.
The player takes their turn first. If you "hit," you get another card. If you "stand," you don't get any more cards. Baccarat is different from games like blackjack because Aces are low and worth 1 point. Jack, Queen, and King are all worth 0 points. The value of every other card is the same. If a player has two cards that add up to 8 or 9, this is called "naturals," and is a winning hand similar to achieving a ‘blackjack’. The hand value is the final digit of the total value of the cards. For example, if a hand totals 16, its final value will be 6.
The aim is to correctly pick who will have the best hand, and when the values of the hands are disclosed, and all players have chosen to ‘stand’ any prizes that have been won are paid per the paytable, and a new round can begin.
How Does Baccarat’s House Edge Vary From Other Casino Games?
A game is considered to be more favourable for players when the house edge is lower. This means that players gain a higher return to player (RTP) percentage, and therefore, at least statistically better odds with (hopefully) more money returning to their bankroll than other comparative games. The advantage that the house has on the Banker's hand in baccarat can be as low as 1.06%, making it one of the games with the lowest house edges. This leads baccarat to be a top-rated game with players, and combined with its simplicity and the rise of online casinos, it has seen more and more players discover the game.
Is it Possible to Lower the House Edge in Baccarat?
Of course, as with all games of chance, nothing is ever certain, but there are some things the player can do to keep the house edge as close to its optimal figure as possible. While there is no legitimate way that you can improve upon the house edge of a game beyond its lowest stated statistic, making rookie errors, or so-called 'sucker bets' can increase the house edge in the casino's favour and reduce your theoretical odds.
This is where reading guides (such as this one), exploring baccarat strategies, and playing the game for simulated wagers in free-play mode can make all the difference.
Takeaway
Baccarat is a casino table game that can be played both online and in live format and has one of the lowest house edge percentages among all the most played casino games. Having increased in popularity in the past decade or so as a fun alternative to blackjack, the simplicity of the game as well as innovations such as live casino game show versions of baccarat will likely see the game becoming even more of a fan-favourite.
To play baccarat online for yourself, sign up and play today at Prime Casino. Remember to always gamble responsibly and avoid taking excessive risks. Most importantly, when the fun stops; stop. Best of luck!
