Baccarat is an easy game to learn, but players must be aware of a number of standard betting options. Before the cards are dealt, players can place bets on a Player hand winning, a Banker hand, or on a tie. The Player and Banker hands pay different odds and the Banker bet is recommended by this baccarat guide as it offers a lower house edge of 1.04 per cent (excluding the commission on wins).
As with any casino game, it is important to have a plan when entering a Baccarat session. Determine how much you are willing to lose at the table and don’t let your emotions get in the way of staying within your limit. When you feel uncomfortable at the table, take a break and return to the game when you are ready.
Once the bets are placed, the dealer deals two cards to the Player box and another to the Banker box. If the total of these cards is 8 or 9, the hand wins and all bets are paid. If not, the dealer must draw a third card.
Advanced baccarat players often follow a pattern system that predicts when a Banker or Player hand will win, which allows them to reduce the house edge. This strategy starts with flat betting and then watching results to spot zigzag patterns or double win streaks. Depending on the trend, players can then swap to betting on one hand or the other until it changes.