How to Play Baccarat: Baccarat Rules Explained

Baccarat is one of the most straightforward casino games that require minimal skill. It happens to be the perfect game for bettors in Rwanda who love fast-paced card games, without having to learn plenty of complex rules. Probably only Roulette has as simple rules as Baccarat, which is one of the main reasons why Baccarat is still that popular.

We will go over the major aspects of each and every rule of the game in this guide. Starting with the card evaluation, what the game's objective is, and also what actions can the player and the banker take. To finish things up, we will see some of the major terms that can help even beginners in Rwanda start playing baccarat without any concerns.

What is Baccarat?

Baccarat, also referred to as just Baccara, is a casino card game. The simple gameplay of the baccarat card game is to compare cards, between the player’s hand and the banker’s. Each Baccarat coup, which is the term for the round in the game, has three possible outcomes:

• Player (Player’s hand is better),
• Banker (Banker’s hand is better),
• Tie.

Online Baccarat Rules Explained for Rwandan Players

For the purposes of today’s guide, the Punto Banco Baccarat variation will be taken into account. Punto Banco is the type of game which is the most widespread, so it’s usually referred to as the standard baccarat variation.

It is important to remember that the Baccarat card game is a game of chance, so technically, increasing chances of winning are limited. But, there are still some key tricks that can help take an edge over the game, like avoiding the tie bet option.

Baccarat Gameplay

The Baccarat gameplay rules are quite simple, and all that has to be remembered when playing it is:

• The player always makes a bet on what the possible outcome of the game could be, where three options are available:

  • To Bet on a Player Win,
  • To Bet on a Dealer Win,
  • To Bet on a Tie.
• The cards are shuffled by the dealer every time, before dealing two cards to the player and himself, always face down,
• When neither side has a natural hand, which is an automatic win, when the cards are turned over, bets can be placed,
• The main objective of the Baccarat game is to get a hand with a value of 9, which is the highest possible combination.

The statistics say that the banker’s hand will win 45.8% of the time, whereas the player’s hand will win 44.6%, and the rest of 9.6% goes for a Tie.

Card Values

As stated in Baccarat card game rules, cards have point values as follows:

• Ace - 1
• Numbered Cards 2 to 9 - Face Value
• 10, J, Q, K - 0

The hand values in Baccarat are based only on the last digit of the card's value. As an example, if a player is dealt with a 6 and 9, the sum is 15, so the hand value is 5, which is the last digit of the number.

Stands and Draws in Baccarat

Draws (Hit) and Stands are the only possible actions that can be taken in a Baccarat Game. A Draw, more commonly known as a Hit in the Baccarat world, is when a player requests an additional card, making the total count of cards 3.

If the player chooses to stand, it signifies that no more cards are needed, and they intend to proceed with the current value of their hand.

The Baccarat card game rules for hitting and standing differ for the banker and the player’s hands.

Player's Hand Rules

The player's hand dictates how the game proceeds, as the Banker's actions can change based on the player's decision to stand or draw.

• If the player is dealt a total of 6 or 7, they stand.
• If the player's total is 5 or less, a third card is drawn.

Banker's Hand Rules

The rules for the Banker's Hand are more intricate, as the action heavily depends on how the player managed their hand.

If the player stands, the banker follows the same rules as for the player’s hand. However, if the player has drawn a third card, the banker's rules become more complex.

• If the banker's total is 7, they always stand.
• If the banker's total is 6, they draw if the third card dealt to the player is a 6 or 7.
• If the banker's total is 5, they draw if the third card dealt to the player is a 4, 5, 6, or 7.
• If the banker's total is 4, they draw if the third card dealt to the player is a 2, 4, 5, 6, or 7.
• If the banker's total is 3, they draw in all cases, except if the player's third card is an 8.
• If the banker's total is 2, they always draw another card.

While the dealer manages all these baccarat third card rules, it's always beneficial for Rwandan players to be aware of them.

Why Play Baccarat Online in Rwanda?

Baccarat has consistently been one of the most popular online casino games for players. There are numerous reasons for this enduring appeal, but let's explore some of the most significant ones for players in Rwanda.

Key Advantages

• The rules of baccarat at top online casino sites are straightforward and can be easily mastered by players.
• There are numerous generous bonus offers available for playing online baccarat, enhancing the gaming experience.
• The online baccarat game is readily accessible at virtually any online casino.
• Online casinos offer a wide array of baccarat variations, catering to diverse player preferences.
• Baccarat boasts one of the lowest house edges among all table games, offering better odds to players.
• When playing baccarat online, players have full control over their bankroll management.
• Playing online baccarat can be a cost-effective way to enjoy the game.

Potential Drawbacks

• Some online baccarat tables may charge commissions on winning bets.
• The banker's drawing rules can be complex, making them challenging to memorize.
• Baccarat games in unlicensed online casinos might be susceptible to rigging.
• As a game of chance, influencing the outcome of baccarat hands is difficult.
• The potential payouts for the best banker and player bets might not be exceptionally high.

Final Thoughts for Rwandan Players

Baccarat stands out as a table game with exceptionally simple rules, coupled with a low house edge. It's no wonder this game is so popular today, with more players eager to experience it. With all these baccarat rules demystified, any player can start enjoying this straightforward game online immediately.

It's always wise to remember that, despite the simple rules of baccarat, it remains a game of chance. Therefore, the odds of winning cannot be significantly influenced.