Baccarat is a featured game at casinos around the world but the game is most popular among Asians who are seemingly obsessed over a game that was once reserved for high-stakes casino patrons who played at French Riviera casinos amidst royalty and members of high society. Today, gamers from around the world can play at any online baccarat casino at any time and from any location on their PC or handheld mobile device.
Playing online baccarat has all the advantages of land-based baccarat casino entertainment without any wagering obligations. Many brick-and-mortar casinos limit the baccarat tables to VIP clients who can be relied upon to place high bets but baccarat aficionados at all betting levels can play the baccarat game at whichever amount suits their personal needs and expectations when they play online.
Everyone is invited to join in the fun and discover the mystical and rewarding connections of baccarat at the online casino!
Number Magic
Baccarat wasn’t always a game that was associated with the traditions of the East but over recent decades, it has become a favored game of many Asians, notably Chinese VIP gamers. This seems due to the Chinese culture’s fascination with how numbers and luck combine.
According to researchers, Chinese gamblers bring their mystical traditions of astrology and numerology into the gaming room through their believes that, by choosing the right numbers, their entire lives will change for the better.
The number 8 plays a prominent role in baccarat and that fits in with Chinese affinity for that number. In baccarat, 8 is the second-highest score that a player can achieve. Asian gamers believe that the 8 is a highly lucky number the word for eight, “ba” is similar to “fa” which is used to denote 'well-off' or 'becoming rich in a short time”.
Since Chinese culture connects “ba” to “making a fortune” and expanding wealth, prosperity, status and success, it is clear that a game where winning is determined by the side that comes the closest to 9 would be of great interest to them.
Feng Shui, the practice of arranging the physical world in a way that creates balance with the natural world, sees the number 8 as an indicator of continued abundance. According to Fend Shui, the number “8” looks like the symbol for “infinity which can translate into success in all manner of endeavors.
Playing Baccarat
Many casino gamblers choose baccarat because it’s full of suspense and intrigue. It’s easy to play baccarat and, since it’s a game that’s based on luck, there are no complicated strategies to memorize or intricate techniques to master.
There are only 3 possible outcomes to a baccarat round – the player wins, the banker wins or there’s a tie. You can bet on either the player or the banker and within seconds, you know whether you’ve won or not!
You place your bet before the cards are dealt. Two cards are dealt to both sides. The point total of both sets of cards is revealed -- face cards and tens are worth zero points, the ace is one point and all other cards are worth their face value.
If a total exceeds 10, the value of the hand is the second digit. For example, if you’re holding an 8 and a 5, the total is 15 and your point total is calculated at 5, the second digit of the 15. You (or the dealer) have a “natural win” if the first two cards dealt are either 8 or nine. That ends the game and bets are cashed out.
Now, you decide whether you want to stand or take a hit on a third card. If you have an 8 or a 9, you automatically stand. The player can also stand on a 6 or 7 but from 0-5, the player should draw a third card. The dealer than draws and the totals are compared.
Baccarat Strategy
Since there’s no real strategy involved in the cards that you draw, your strategy lies in your betting actions.
Baccarat has one of the lowest house edges at the casino but you can reduce that house edge even more if you wager on the banker every time. The house edge when betting on the dealer if 1.06% and if you bet on the player, it’s 1.24%. That’s not a big difference but it’s a good idea to keep it in mind if you’re focusing on collecting a payout!
The tie bet is strongly discouraged by casino advisors. It can carry up to a 14.36% house edge, one of the worst bets at the casino.
Online Casino Baccarat
You’ll enjoy an even higher payout advantage with additional perks when you play baccarat at the online casino.
While land-based casino bonuses involve discounts on hotel stays and complementary meals at casino restaurants, the online casino’s bonus give-aways are pure cash.
Through the casino’s bonus program you receive extra credits so you can play for more time and win more cash prizes without adding any additional deposits to your gaming activities.
The online casino is available 24/7 so you can jump in for a quick baccarat game whenever you feel the urge to try your luck and boost your fortune.
