Like many casino games, the history of the origin of baccarat is not precise. The stories differ on how this game came about. Some historians believe that the game originated in the Middle Ages, and those who believe in this version maintain that we originally played Baccarat with Tarot cards.

Is baccarat the cousin of Blackjack?

Many people think that baccarat is a variant of twenty-one, the French game. This would make baccarat a cousin of blackjack.

In blackjack, players try to win over the dealer by obtaining a score as close as possible to 21 (without exceeding this number). In baccarat, players must bet on the hand (that of the dealer or that of the player), which, they think, will be the closest to the new. Although there are many differences between the two games, these similarities could indeed indicate a common origin.

Leaving Italy

There are many indications that suggest that the game started in Italy. Baccara, in Italian, means “nothing.”

In the modern game of baccarat, the ten and the dressed have a value of 0. The game apparently made its way at the end of the 15th century. King Charles VIII is credited with having reported this game to his compatriots.

Baccarat is a European game. It has become extremely popular in casinos on the French Riviera, and its popularity has generated different variants of baccarat.

Nowadays, most players from continental Europe prefer the version of baccarat from the game of “railroad.” This version of baccarat that we all know and appreciate comes from the British. As the British Empire spread throughout the world, more people got to know the game. The British version is the version that was exported to the United States.

In the 1950s, baccarat entered Las Vegas. It made its first appearance at Dune Casino.

Baccarat is usually associated with high stakes and high rollers. The next time you enter a casino, watch the action around the baccarat tables! Some players bet entire shipments of money on the one hand. And even if you can’t afford to play just one or two high-stakes hands, experiencing a live baccarat game is something to try at least once in your life.

Note that the two spellings (Baccarat or Baccara without T) can be found. It is said that in French, Baccara is written without T, which we add in English, but both versions are commonly accepted.

Baccarat is known to be a high society game, and even if this game has lost a bit of its chic side over the years, we still associate it with elegant men, dressed in a beautiful black suit and drinking a dry martini. In baccarat, three types of bets are possible: banco, punto, and equality. Banco and punto respectively offer an advantage of 1.06% and 1.24% – which is quite decent from the player’s point of view. However, if you decide to bet on equality, you give the house an advantage of 14.4%! Suffice to say that at this rate, you may not have a lot of money left to continue buying beautiful costumes.

How do we play baccarat?

Remember that at baccarat, the object of the game is to get a hand that scores as close to 9 points (inclusive) as possible. The dealer deals two cards to the players seated around the table, who are asked to predict their own win, that of the dealer or a tie. In some very specific cases, the croupier may have to distribute the third card to the different protagonists. All cards correspond to their face value. Aces are worth one point. The logs (valets, ladies, and kings) and the 10 are worth none. To determine the value of a hand, add the value of the two cards, and retain only the number of units. Example: 7 4 = 11. Your hand will only be worth one point. Another example: 8 7 = 15. Your hand will be worth 5 points. Last example: 9 valet = 9. You have the most powerful hand in the game! Easy, right?

Mini-Baccarat

In the 1980s, casinos introduced mini-baccarat.

Mini-baccarat follows the same rules as the larger and more distinguished forms of baccarat. The creation of mini-baccarat aimed to make this game more accessible to the masses, to less fortunate people. Classic baccarat tables usually have much higher limits than most other casino table games. These areas, whose access is limited, are generally reserved for high rollers. If you try to approach a baccarat table in a tank top and flip flops, chances are you will be asked to come back when you are dressed more appropriately.

This is not the case with mini-baccarat. Mini-baccarat is like other table games: casual.

In mini-baccarat, the croupier distributes the cards (players do not need to worry about how to handle the shoe). The mini-baccarat table is laid out like a blackjack table, and the action is much faster because there are fewer seats than on a full baccarat table.

 Caribbean Stud Poker is a spellbinding casino game whose concept is based on classic poker. Since its introduction into the universe of the casino, its popularity has not stopped growing, helped in this by the simplicity of its rules, and the generosity of its repayments. At Caribbean Stud Poker, you will have to fight against the bank and not against other players. In fact, no need to put your bluffing skills into practice.

What is the objective of the game?

At Caribbean Stud Poker, you will have to beat the banker by obtaining a hand more powerful than his. It is a game that will fully suit the needs of players looking for a derivative of traditional poker. Do not skip the steps! First, learn the rules of Caribbean Stud Poker before looking at its strategy.

How to win at Caribbean Stud Poker?

Using an outreach strategy will reduce the house advantage from 5.22% to a paltry 0.001%. To do this, you will need to use this strategy wisely and at the right time. Usually, players are used to two separate strategies. Let us reveal them to you.

The basic strategy

The basic strategy of Caribbean Stud Poker is both simple to remember and easy to implement. It comes down to two essential points.

Do not fold on low-value pairs!

If you are not used to Caribbean Stud Poker, you may not know what to do with a low-value pair (pair of 2, pair of 3…). You will be faced with this scenario more times than you would like. To tell the truth, know that these low-value pairs will allow you to put the banker out of action time and time again. Therefore, it is better not to go to bed if you have one!

Avoid following with ’empty hands’!

If you get an empty hand, it’s better to fold immediately. An empty hand is defined as a hand free from any winning combination (ace-king, highest card, pair, double pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, full, square, straight flush or royal flush).

The advanced strategy

Caribbean Stud Poker’s advanced strategy is far more complex than its basic strategy. However, if you have correctly understood the basic strategy, you will have no difficulty in accumulating further details to weaken the odds in your favor. Let us show you the essential points.

Follow on pairs and hands without a combination of high value!

If you have gotten a hand that includes a pair or other combination of higher value, you would be well advised to call.

1. Follow if the dealer’s open card has the same face value as one of your cards.
2. Lie down if the dealer’s open card is an ace or a king, and your hand only contains a queen or a jack.
3. If you have a queen and the dealer’s open card is worth less than the fourth most powerful card in your hand, it is best to follow.

Remember that if you choose to call, you will be required to place a bet that is equivalent to twice your ante. For example, if your ante is € 5 and you decide to follow, your ad will cost you € 10. The overall stake will, therefore, be € 15.

Lie down if your hand does not include a high-value card!

Since the dealer’s hand qualifies in half the cases, make sure you have a hand strong enough to be able to hold the banker in check, even if your hand does not include any winning combination (an ace and / or a king). In short, do not hesitate to fold if you get a hand of poor value.