Baccarat is one of the simplest games in the online casino, yet so many people pass it up because they assume that it is a difficult game to learn and play.  Learning how to play online baccarat is something that more people are willing to consider because they can learn by trial and error in the comfort of their own home, instead of in a crowded casino where people are watching.

The Basics of Baccarat

To learn how to play online baccarat you need to know the objective of the game.  The objective is to draw a two or three cards had that comes closer to a total of nine than the hand of the banker.  The cards are valued a bit differently than in other games with the 10, J, K, and Q having a value of 0.  The Ace has a value of one and all of the other cards are valued at their face value.  Baccarat is unique because if you go over nine you don’t “bust” as you do in blackjack.  Instead, when you total over ten you drop the ten.  So, if you had a hand that totaled 17 you would drop ten and your hand would be valued at 7.

Playing the Game

Learning how to play online baccarat will be much easier if you know some simple rules.  The game starts with the banker and each player drawing two cards.  If the banker or the players has a total of eight or nine immediately, both will stand, and there is no exception to this rule.  If the player has a total of six or seven the player is required to stand.  If a player stands the banker has to hit of a total of five or less.  If the players hand total less than five, the player will be required to hit and the banker gives them a third card.

If the player is given a third card, the banker draws a third card dependent upon their hand.  If the total is 0, 1, or 2 the banker will draw a third card.  If the banker has a total hand value of three the, they will draw a third card is one through nine or zero.  If the banker has a hand total of 4 the banker will draw a card if the player’s third card is two through seven.  The banker will draw a third card if the players third card is four through seven, and if the banker has a value of six they will draw a third card if the players third card is a six or seven.  If the banker has a hand total of seven they will stand.  After this third card is dealt the hands will be compared and if the player is closer to nine than the banker they will win.

To learn how to play online baccarat you need to know that you have betting options.  You can either bet on your hand or the banker’s hand.  The game has a house edge of about 1.24% when you bet on your own hand and if you bet on the bankers hand the house ranges from .6% to 1.06% depending on the house cut.