BACCARAT and
CHEMIN DE FER Strategy.
| In
the past few decades, Baccarat (correct pronunciation - Bach-o-rah) has
grown to be the worlds most prestigious table game. In Nevada, Baccarat
tables earn 50 times what the average blackjack table will.
Part of its
popularity is the ambience of the lavish private salons. Surrounded by
glamorous shills, tuxedoed dealers and scantily clad handmaidens who
cater to their every whim, the gamblers are extended liberties unheard
of on the public casino floor. They get to pull the cards from the shoe
and crumple them in anger if they lose, order anything from lobster
appetizers to Vegemite sandwiches prepared by private chefs, and smoke
Cuban cigars washed down with $100-a-shot brandy.
The other thing that
attracts big gamblers to Baccarat is that they get to bet a lot of
money. MINIMUM bets often start at $500 and maximum wagers of over
$200,000 a hand are not uncommon. All of which means that the high
rolling "whales" don't have to rub shoulders with the
commoners.
|
|
A
more pedestrian version of the game called "Mini-Baccarat" is
played on table that closely resembles blackjack. The rules are the
same, but a single dealer controls the action and low-limit betting is
encouraged. Our game more closely mimics the "mini" version.
Baccarat originated
in Italy, but it long been regarded as a French import. In fact, the
word "Baccarat" is French for "zero." Which means a
lot, as all ten-value cards (T-J-Q-K), and any combination of cards
which add to multiples of ten count as nothing.
The object is to get
a point count closest to 9, keeping in mind that 10 is zero. Aces count
as one and all other cards count at face value. Take a look at this
hand. Who wins?
|
All you have to do is learn
the Player Hand and Banker Hand Third Card Rules. It should not take more than a
minute or two to memorize these tables.
Player Hand Third Card Rule
| When the player's
first two cards total |
|
Players Hand: |
 |
| 0-1-2-3-4-5 |
Draws a card |
|
| 6-7 |
Stands |
|
| 8-9 |
Natural Stands |
|
|
When
Banker's
First Two Cards Total: |
|
Draws
When
Player'sThird Card is: |
|
Does
Not Draw When
Player's Third Card is: |
|
| 0-1-2 |
|
Banker's
hand always draws on a two card 1-2 or 3 |
|
| 3 |
|
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-0 |
|
8 |
|
| 4 |
|
2-3-4-5-6-7 |
|
1-8-9-0 |
|
| 5 |
|
4-5-6-7 |
|
1-2-3-8-9-0 |
|
| 6 |
|
6-7 |
|
1-2-3-4-5-8-9-0 |
|
| 7 |
|
Stands |
|
|
|
| 8-9 |
|
Natural Stands |
|
|
|
| JUST
KIDDING! These befuddling tables are the actual rules, but you don't
need to learn any of this stuff. Our dealer announces the opening hands
and draws the cards for you. When the dealing's done, she'll let you
know who won and make the payoffs.
All you have to do is
choose which side to bet on. If it sounds like a boring game, it is. To
watch. But if you bet enough to make you tingle, it gets interesting
real fast. With our $100 limit and decent odds, you'll find it to be a
pretty fair gamble for the serious punter.
Like all serious
gamblers, sophisticated Baccarat buffs are a superstitious lot. They
rely heavily on their powers of prognostication to divine future hands
and will go to no end in the quest for clairvoyance. That's why casinos
supply them with scorecards to keep track of past hands.
To view your
electronic scorecard, just click on "Statistics" while you
play and it will show up on your screen. We've also included a larger
tally sheet, which you can print as well.
|
|
Please
be aware that a computer ordains the frequency distribution of the
hands. While the scorecards might be fun to use, they have no logical
use whatsoever, but are simply included for your enjoyment.
Scorecard ruminations
and omen interpretations aside, bet on the Banker's hand for best
results. Sure, we nick you for 5% of what you win, and that turns a lot
of bettors off, but even after we take our cut, it's still wiser than
betting on the Player's hand by about 14% (1.17% vs. 1.36% house edges).
Both Player and Banker hands are pretty good bets compared with Roulette
and slot machines, though.
If you're going to
give Baccarat a try, the worst thing you can do is bet on the Tie.
Although it pays back 9-1, the house edge is ten times worse than either
the Player or the Banker hands. In fact, it's one of the worst bets in
the casino. The only reason we offer it is that some die-hard (and
die-soon) gamblers insist on making the bet and as long as they're
giving their money away, they might as well be giving it to us.
Summary:
 | Banker's Hand is
best bet
| Player's Hand is
next best bet
| Don't bet Tie Hand |
| |
|
|
