Baccarat strategy basics: how UK players can improve decision-making
The online casino industry in the UK has been a sought-after entertainment avenue for years already but there is one game that does not get as much attention as the rest. While players get lost in the myriads of online slots titles and the new live casino tables hosting blackjack and roulette games, not to mention the sealed off private area of high-stake poker games, there are some players that seek the baccarat table.
The game that was invented in the 1500s has been part of the regular rotation in casinos, physical and online, for centuries, and despite the supposed higher profiles of other games, there is still demand for baccarat. The game matches other online casino offerings in its simplicity with truly little interaction for the player after placing a bet. This means players can just sit back and watch the hand unfold.
However, whether you are a new or experienced player approaching the online baccarat table, there are some basics to how baccarat strategy works that can help make informed decisions at the table. And at live baccarat tables, there are other factors to consider beyond the unveiling of the actual hand itself.
Play the Percentages
Like with most other online casino games, baccarat is based purely on luck with random number generators responsible for the outcomes of each hand. Only poker and to some extent blackjack is there an element of control in the game play, but in baccarat, the difference between winning and losing boils down to chance.
However, despite that aspect, there are percentages that can be studied to provide a guide as to how to be more decisive in placing bets. Again, like with many other online casino games, the house has an edge. In this game, the Dealer or Banker will emerge victorious 45.8% of the time, edging out the chance of a Player winning a hand, which stands at 44.6%. And for those that are particularly adventurous, the chances of a tie between the Banker and Player stands at 9.6%.
With such a small margin between the Banker and Player percentages (excluding the tie), backing the Banker would be the logical choice and you will just have to count yourself as unlucky if the almost 50/50 call does not come out in your favour. But the percentages do offer a good guide for where the edge lies. If you are a player that mixes up the betting pattern, simply betting against the previous winner could be a simple strategy to employ to reduce any of the limited thinking involved in baccarat.
Side Bets
While the simplicity of the game means there is very little to really think about when making bet-related decisions, especially when compared to the complexities of poker, online versions of the game come with an extra feature that require an additional layer of contemplation. Side bets count as an extra optional round of betting where players bet on the chance of pairs turning up.
Depending on the game and game developer, there could be a wide range of games involving paired play to choose from. Pairs can either be drawn for the Player or the Banker, but players will be on the lookout for Kings and Queens, with suited or unsuited pairs of these royal cards considered high value.
The odds are obviously quite high for drawing pairs out of the deck so decision-making largely revolves around whether to actually make a side bet in the first place, and if the action is taken, how small the bet will be to remain within the realms of responsibility. The side bet offers some variety from the standard game play, something online casino players in the UK have come accustomed to over the years.
Simple but Effective
Overall, there is not as much decision making in baccarat, but the decisions that need to be made are just as significant. The percentages of each eventuality are the main guides for any formation of strategy. With the inclusion of side bets, there is an additional feature where lesser amounts can be wagered more in hope than expectation.
With faster versions of baccarat such as Speed Baccarat and Lightning Baccarat also available at most online casinos, decision-making does need to be quicker in these games. However, the simple workings of baccarat mean little strategy is involved and any strategy utilised can be regurgitated.
The game has held its place on casino floors for centuries because of its engaging nature. With online casinos only growing in recognition in the UK, there is still a future for baccarat. And with the potential for new variations of the game, there is the chance for new strategies to be developed.
