Baccarat is a timeless classic in the world of casino gaming, known for its elegance and simplicity. Still, not being one of the Top 3 casino games (Slots, Blackjack and Roulette) allows it to fly under the radar and stay away from the big headlines.
Despite its reputation as a game for high rollers, mastering baccarat is possible for any player, especially online. With the right strategy and understanding of the game’s nuances, you can increase your chances of success and thereby experience the thrill of winning more often.
Become a Baccarat Connoisseur
In this guide, I’m going to walk you through 10 easy steps to mastering the game of Baccarat. My intention and hope is to help you become a Baccarat connoisseur and skillful enough to make it your new favorite game. If James Bond can do it, why not you?
Step 1: Understand the Basics
Before diving into the game itself, it’s crucial to grasp the fundamentals. Baccarat is a card game played between two hands: The Player (you) and The Banker. The objective is for you to bet on the hand that you believe will have a total that is the closest to 9. Sounds easy enough, right?
Before you get into it, I always recommend familiarizing yourself with the values of the cards. In Baccarat, Aces count as 1, cards 2-9 keep their value, and 10s and face cards are worth 0. I know the counting is a bit different from other games but once you get it, it’s easy.
You can find more information on the rules and how the scoring works in our BCK Baccarat guide.
Step 2: Choose the Right Online Casino
This step goes without saying and I’m sure you know by now that BCK has a long list of our favorite crypto casinos and detailed reviews of them all. Making sure you pick a good spot to play isn’t just paramount to your baccarat journey, but for your entire casino experience.
Look for licensed platforms with secure payment methods, fair gameplay, and a wide selection of baccarat variations. Some examples of places to play are BitStarz, Wild.io, Trust Dice, Kryptosino and Bc.Game.
Step 3: Practice with Demo Mode
Most online casinos will offer some Baccarat games where you can work on your skills for free via the Demo Mode, without risking real money. Try and take full advantage of these “practice sessions” and get a feel of the game’s flow, betting options, and strategies.
The Demo Mode is the perfect opportunity to experiment with different betting systems and gain valuable confidence when it comes to your decision-making abilities. Once you start to play for real, you’ll be thanking me for sending you to Demo Mode school first.
Step 4: Master the Betting Options
Playing Baccarat, you will be looking at 3 main betting options. You can choose to bet on the following:
- The Player’s hand – Pays out even money 1:1
- The Banker’s hand – Also pays 1:1 but with a 5% commission deducted
- A Tie – Gets you the biggest payout of 8:1 or 9:1
Step 5: Bankroll Management
No matter the game, keeping a check on your bankroll is of utmost importance. The recommendation is always that you set a budget for every session and stick to it. We’ve all been trying to chase losses by betting more than we can afford and it’s a horrible idea.
Be smart with your bets and give yourself the chance to be successful by staying in the game.
Step 6: Consider Using a Strategy
Personally I can’t say I’m a fan of using betting strategies. Clearly it’s not a coincidence that they are popular so I’m sure they can be effective. I would say the most popular strategies are The Martingale, Fibonacci, and Paroli.
It doesn’t matter what fancy name the strategies have been given, none of them are fool proof and can guarantee consistent wins. Whatever you decide to use, a big scoop of common sense is always useful.
Step 7: Pay Attention to Potential Patterns
If you listen to experienced Baccarat players, a lot of them preach keeping an eye out for patterns or trends in previous outcomes. Obviously you can’t predict the future but looking at the history and previous hands can be helpful.
Some players keep track of the outcomes using their own scorecard or simply settle for what’s shown on the screen.
Step 8: Keep your Cool
A lot of the tips are applicable to any game but the ability to keep your cool even if things aren’t going your way is important. Avoid acting on emotional impulses or chasing losses.
If you’re using a strategy, stick to it as it’s meant to help you in the long run. Remember that your luck can change at any given moment and keeping your emotions under control will help you continue to make good and clear headed decisions.
Step 9: Know When to Walk Away
Continuing on my previous point, knowing when it’s time to walk away doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Instead, it’s a sign that you’re being smart and not chasing something that’s not there. Some days are just not lucky ones, so accept that and come back later or another day. If you desperately need to keep playing, at least switch to another version of the game.
Even if you’re having success, learn to recognize when it’s time to cash out and give yourself the chance to enjoy your winnings.
Step 10: Keep Learning About the Game
As with everything else in life, there’s always something new to learn and the same goes for Baccarat. If you want to evolve and become better, try to stay updated on new strategies, trends and possible new tips and tricks that can help improve your game.
Making sure you’re ahead of the curve will boost your skills and drive you towards becoming the player you want to be.
Don’t Forget to Have Fun
In the end, no matter what your level is, we’re all looking for a fun time. Patience is often one of the keys to success so keep on learning so that you are equipped to make better decisions and thereby take your game to the next level.
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or dipping your toes in the crypto casino waters for the first timer, these steps should help you conquer the virtual baccarat tables with confidence and finesse.
If you want to learn more about the game of Baccarat, just click here.
Good luck!
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