Baccarat is one of the most popular variants among European gamblers, particularly in France and Russia. The game is pretty simple to understand. There are just so many betting positions available for players to place their wagers on. Let’s take a quick look at how many bets there are actually and how you can make the most out of them.
There Are Four Types Of Bets Available
Even though the rules of baccarat are quite straightforward, the game still offers some nuances that can be used to the player’s advantage. Just like most other casino games, baccarat also comes with different kinds of bets. If you’re new to the game, you should probably start with the most popular and simplest types of bets first.
There are four basic types of bets you can make at a baccarat table:
- The basic bet
- The pari-mutuel wager
- The straddle
- The lay bet
Let’s examine each one of them in detail.
The Basic Bet
The basic bet is the simplest of all the baccarat bets. That’s because it’s just a bet on the outcome of the game. Most casinos that offer baccarat games will have this type of betting option. Let’s take a look at the odds for this type of bet:
- If the player opts for a natural outcome, the odds of winning will be 1:1
- If the player selects a bankroll tie, then the odds of winning will be 1:2
- If the player selects a player tie, then the odds of winning will be 1:3
What happens is that if you place a basic bet on a natural outcome (either all reds or all blacks), then you will pay the player the exact same amount you wagered. You don’t win or lose based on the outcome of the game, but you simply keep the money you wagered. That’s the basic idea behind this type of bet.
A great way to make the most out of basic bets is to place them on both hands and bet on the opposite outcomes. For example, if you opted for a blackjack, then you would place a basic bet on red while the other hand is on black.
Pari-Mutuel Wager
The pari-mutuel wager is one of the oldest types of wagers in betting circles. The term comes from the French professional horse-racing world and it simply means that each participant in the game is responsible for covering the odds. In the US, the law requires that casinos offer this type of wager, so most casinos that offer the game will have this option accessible to their players.
The great thing about this wager is that it can be placed on either hand separately and it covers all the betting positions on the table. This type of wager makes it simpler to place multiple bets on a game because you don’t have to worry about your wager being covered by another player. You simply need to ensure that you participate in the betting the right way. That is, you need to ensure that your total bet on both hands matches the pre-set odds. If you don’t, then the casino may void your bet and you’ll have to start over. Not quite the hassle-free gambling experience you’re looking for, is it?
Straddle
The straddle is probably one of the most popular types of baccarat bets. What makes this type of bet special is that you bet on the direction the dealer will turn the card after he or she sees it. You can either bet on the odd or the even side of the card. You can’t win unless the dealer turns up an Ace or a King, which are the only cards that can make the hand worth 10 points. Because of its popularity, you’ll find several online casinos that offer straddles.
The great thing about this type of wager is that it can be made on either hand separately. It also allows you to hedge your bets by placing one bet with the intention of going all-in if the card turns up favorable for you. For example, if you opt for a 6-deck blackjack, then you can place a bet on either the red or black 6-card hands. You’ll then win or lose based on the outcome of the hand. The best hand wins, regardless of what the dealer decides to do with the card. If you place both bets on the same hand, then you’ll simply split your winnings.
Lay Bet
The lay bet is similar to the straddle in that you place a bet on the direction the dealer will turn the card after he or she sees it. The difference is that you have to bet on the opposite outcome of the dealer. For example, if you find yourself facing a 6-card blackjack, then you’d place a lay bet on red to go against the dealer’s black bet. You’ll then win or lose based on the outcome of the 6-card hand. The advantage of placing a lay bet is that you can only lose a small amount of money compared to a straddle, but the payout is also much smaller. This makes it attractive to recreational gamblers who don’t want to risk a big chunk of change on one hand.
Making the most out of lay bets is fairly straight-forward. It’s simply a matter of placing one on either hand and ensuring that you lose on the opposite outcome. This way, you have some protection in case the cards turn out the way you didn’t bet on. You don’t want to risk getting your entire bankroll wiped out by poor card-reading.]
As you may have guessed, the table above shows the different types of bets available at a baccarat table. It also shows you which hands they’re suitable for and which hands are better left alone. Hands with a single Ace are very strong and can be used to determine the outcome of the game. These types of hands will almost always beat a royal flush or four of a kind. That’s because a single Ace can form the highest-ranking hand possible with no pairs, making it the strongest of all the hands. Naturally occurring cards like the Ace of Spades are also strong, so always leave them on the table. The same goes for Face Cards and Kings. If you have one of these cards on your table, then it’s almost certainly a winning hand.
Which Hands Outperform the Other Types Of Bets?
If you want to maximize your winnings at a baccarat table, then it’s best to avoid hands with only one Ace or a King. These hands are extremely strong, but also very risky because you can’t afford to lose what you’ve put down. If you were to lose one of these hands, then you’d have to shell out again to play. The same goes for Four of a Kind and Full House. These are all high-ranking hands and you will almost certainly win the game, even if the cards aren’t necessarily in your favor. The disadvantage of these hands is that you have to risk one lot of money to win one lot of money, so it’s not a fair fight. For that reason, it’s usually best to avoid these hands altogether.
How Do I Figure Out The Best Time To Place A Bet?
One of the most important things to do at a casino is to figure out the best time to place a bet. This is especially important if you want to make the most out of your gambling experience. For example, if you’re a recreational gambler looking for a place to gamble online, then you may want to avoid making a trip to a brick-and-mortar casino, especially during the week. Weekends are usually the best times for recreational gamblers to get some action, as there are less people around and it’s easier to get a seat at the table.
However, if you’re looking for a place to put down some serious money, then you may want to consider a Monday or Tuesday night. These are the worst nights to gamble, as there are often big games on and the odds are usually against the player. Weekends are good because there aren’t typically as many people around and it’s easier to get a seat at the table. You may also want to avoid Saturdays and Sundays, as they’re usually the busiest nights and it’s harder to get a seat at the table. It’s also a good idea to avoid the middle of the night because the odds usually aren’t in your favor then either.
Hopefully, this article was helpful in providing some insight into how many betting positions exist on a baccarat table and which hands are worth betting on.