Online baccarat offers both excitement and opportunities to win huge. Like all other casino classics, it requires strategy, discipline, and knowledge to maximize your chances of winning. With the emergence of online games of this type on sites like Mr. Bet Canada, we have access to a variety of titles from numerous software providers. However, the rules remain the same regardless of the version you find.
Hereon, we’ll highlight the strategies you can use while playing baccarat to increase your chances of winning. Learning them will improve your overall game experience and help you level up. Let’s begin!
The Basics of Baccarat
This game is usually played between two hands, namely the Banker and the Player. Each hand is given two cards to determine which hand has a value as close to 9. Here, each card is worth a different value and scored as follows:
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- Aces are worth 1 point;
- 2 to 9 are worth their face value;
- 10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 0 points.
If the total of the cards exceeds 9, the second digit is taken. For instance, if your hand is a 9 and an 8, it equals 7. That is, 9+8 = 17, and the second digit here is 7. So, that’s what you’ve got.
This is a simple summary of how the game is played. However, there are some useful strategies that you can use to increase your chances of winning. They are as follows.
Bet on the Banker
This is considered the most favorable bet that you can make while playing. It is so because it stands a higher chance of winning than the player’s hand. The house edge for the Banker bet is around 1.06%, while that of the player is 1.24%. Although there is a charge of 5% commission on winning Banker bets, it is still considered a good option because of its lower house edge.
Don’t Go for the Tie Bet Option
In baccarat, the tie bet option refers to when you think that both the Player and Banker’s hands will have a similar total. Gamblers are usually tempted to try this because of its high payout ratio (usually 8:1 or 9:2). However, it has a house edge of around 14.36%. This makes it less favorable if you are looking to maximize long-term profits. So, it is best to avoid this bet unless you are feeling very lucky.
Card Counting
This strategy is used to track the cards that have been dealt. You can track the high (10, J, Q, and K) and low cards (2 to 6) to gain a slight advantage. High cards tend to favor the Player’s hand, while low cards favor the Banker’s. Note that the effect of card counting on baccarat is marginal. So, you need to be patient and pay attention to detail when using this technique.
Bet Sizing
This entails managing your bankroll, which is a very effective strategy for baccarat gaming. Since this is a fast-paced game, it is easy to get carried away. To avoid this, you need to set a budget. This entails deciding on an amount you are willing to spend and sticking to it. It prevents you from chasing losses. When you begin, start with smaller bets to understand the layout, then slowly increase your bets to avoid heavy losses from the beginning.
Also, you can use betting systems like Martingale or Paroli. While the Martingale system entails doubling your bet after every loss, the Paroli system entails increasing your bet after each win. However, use one of them cautiously because while they can be fun, they carry substantial losses in games like this, where streaks are unpredictable.
It is essential that you know when to walk away. If you’ve hit your target win or money limit, stop playing. Don’t be too carried away that you risk it all.
Avoid Side Bets
A couple of games under this playing category offer side bets like betting on the Player or Banker to have a particular pair for their hands to match. Although they offer large payouts, they also have high house edges, sometimes as high as 15%. So, it is best to stick to the usual bet options since they offer much better odds.
Concentrate and Stay Calm
Baccarat leans more on its chance side. So, your strategy will not always guarantee a win. In this case, it is best to stay calm and focused, especially if you add on a losing streak. Placing emotional bets or increasing your bets out of frustration will only reduce your bankroll drastically. In such cases, you can pause or take a break to restrategize.
Maximize Your Chances of Winning!
It is a fact that baccarat is a game of chance. However, you can employ some strategies to increase your chances of winning and even improve your overall gaming experience. At the same time, no strategy can guarantee consistent wins. Only a disciplined approach coupled with knowledge about the game can increase your enjoyment and longevity at the baccarat table.
