Blackjack and baccarat are two of the most popular card games at any casino. Both are renowned casino classics that have been played and enjoyed by millions of people across the world for many decades and have been heavily romanticized in Hollywood films.
In some ways, these two games could not be any more different. This article takes a look at blackjack and baccarat and answers any and all questions you might have about these two classic casino games. We will go over the rules, the advantages, as well as the strategies that continue to stand the test of time.
Overview of Blackjack and Baccarat Games
Even though these are multiplayer games, there are some solid differences that we will explore now.
The Art Behind Blackjack
Blackjack is a game name so synonymous with casino gambling that most people can’t even fathom it being called anything else. It is such a popular game that it has had a long and varied history, which helped it gain massive traction, especially with Hollywood films like 21.
The main attribute that sets blackjack apart from so many other casino games is the fact that it is one of the more easier card games to learn with an exceptionally high return to player rate. Without having to worry about bluffing like poker games, blackjack, next to roulette, is easily the largest live dealer game lineup at traditional and new online sweepstakes casinos.
If you wish to play blackjack successfully, you have to get a feel for when to hit and stand, or even double down without going over 21. This not only means everything from basic blackjack strategy charts, but also learning more advanced techniques such as card counting.
The Allure of Baccarat
Similar to blackjack, baccarat is an ancient game with centuries of tradition and hundreds of variations. The real baccarat, the one whose history can be traced to 18th-century France and Italy, is actually a much more traditional card game in which players battle against the dealer, known as the banker, similarly to blackjack.
The most common form of baccarat is Punto Banco, which is available at most American land-based casinos and online. However, in Europe and throughout the rest of the world, Chemin de Fer is widely used. Chemin de Fer works like Punto Banco, however one player is designated as the banker, and is the one that controls the shoe. The player passes the shoe to another player when they are ready to leave.
One hand of live dealer baccarat ends in less than 20 seconds, and most of that time is spent waiting for players to make their bets. Baccarat offers three bets, the banker, the player and the tie. Each bet has its own house edge, which is something you should consider, and what we discuss further on in this guide.
Unveiling Expert Tips for Playing Blackjack and Baccarat
There’s no one right way to play blackjack and baccarat. However, because both games are centuries old, there is a lot of wisdom behind the art of playing these two elegant games. Before sitting at the table, consider these commonsense steps and tips.
Know When to Hit and When to Stand
The objective of blackjack is to know when to hit and stand to get to 21, or as close as possible. The game starts with all the player getting two cards face up. Of course, it’s possible for a player to have a natural blackjack, which means a 3:2 payout. The dealer also gets two cards, with one face up and the other face down.
Most blackjack games end in a tie if the dealer and the player have blackjack. Because players most likely don’t have a natural blackjack, they will most likely hit. However, each hit comes with the risk of busting, which is an automatic loss for going over 21. Let’s take a look at the blackjack basics:
- To Hit: Hit is an option that allows you to take an additional card from the deck. While there is no limit to hitting, each hit brings the chance of busting, which is to have a playing value over 21, and an automatic loss.
- To Stand: Standing is when you finish the playing round with the cards you have. Standing too early can lead to a loss if the dealer winds up having a higher hand than yours.
- Doubling Down: To double down allows you to double your bet and draw one additional card, after which you must stand. You must match your original bet. Doubling down runs the risk of busting. However, you can also finish with a weak hand.
- Splitting: Splitting gives you the luxury of splitting two cards of the same value and breaking them up into two separate hands. Like doubling down, you must match your original bet.
The most important thing to remember is that in blackjack, the values of the cards are based on their rank. Most cards have a value equal to their face value; however, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 10, while Aces are 1 or 11, depending on the playing hand. In most blackjack games, the dealer has to keep hitting until they get to 17 or better.
Finding Baccarat Success
The aim of baccarat is to correctly guess which of two piles of cards is the winner, the player’s or the banker’s bet. If the first two cards are a natural 9, the bet wins. Eight is the second-highest total. Outside of this, the baccarat rules about drawing an additional card come into play. Baccarat’s card values differ from blackjack in this area:
- Only the last digit of a hand total is used as the hand’s value. For example, a hand with a total value of 12 is counted as 2.
- Cards 2-9 all have their straight-up value.
- Aces only count for 1 point.
- Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings all count for 0.
Winning players’ and bankers’ bets pay 1:1. You can bet on the tie for a potential 8:1 payout. The banker’s bet has a 5% commission fee.
Bonus Blackjack Tips
Now that you understand the blackjack basics, for beginners, consider starting with Classic Blackjack. This is the version where the dealer can’t peek at the down card to see if they have 21. Also, the dealer must hit until they get to 17.
If the dealer’s upcard is an ace, you will have the option of choosing insurance because of the strong likelihood of the dealer having a blackjack. Not only do you have to pay 50% of your bet, should you win, you are still out of the insurance bet. Always double down on eleven, and don’t split tens. Two tens puts you one point from 21, and in the driver’s seat to win.
Bonus Baccarat Tips
Even though the tie bet is alluring with the 8:1 payouts, the odds aren’t on your side. Because the house edge is well over 14%, consider passing on it, unless you have deep pockets. The banker’s bet clocks in at 1.05% house advantage. If possible, look for No Commission Baccarat games. Winning banker’s bets in this scenario greatly lowers the house edge between 0.5% to 1%.