Baccarat - My Fascination & Questions!
I would go with my ex boyfriend to a local casino to watch him play poker and hang out. I didn't go too often because it was usually long boring hours. One of the last times I went with him I decided to play some slots (the only gambling I used to do) and walk around to watch people gamble. Eventually I got to a Baccarat table and not knowing anything about Baccarat I stood there watching hoping to learn it since I heard it was an easy game. The guy in front of me, an African American in his 40s, wearing a nice suit (no tie), and super well-groomed was winning some hands and at one point turned to me, smiled and said "it's always good luck to have a pretty lady at the table". That was sweet of him. I'm used to pick up lines, but it didn't feel like one coming from him. He had a nice stack of chips and when it was time to bet he grabbed a few of them and asked me if he should go with the Player or Banker. I had no idea, but he insisted so I said Player. He dropped the chips in the Player section and won the hand. Wow! How exciting! There was a seat next to him and he asked me to sit down, I didn't want to, I wasn't ready to play, but he said I could just watch so I did. He put a little stack of chips in front of me and told me to place it where I thought it should go. I was surprised by this of course. I was wondering how much in chips that was but he told me not to worry about it. It was all in the spirit of fun so I slid the chips to Banker. He dropped some of his chips on Banker as well and Banker won. WOW AGAIN! He took his original chips back and told me the win was mine. I really didn't think I deserved it, but he insisted. It was $100.
He told me he was going to the high limit room for a couple more hands of Baccarat and asked if I would come along to watch, he said I was a "lucky charm". Again, this just didn't feel like a pick up line to me, he didn't offer to buy me drinks or anything, it was friendly and fun and I was getting a Baccarat buzz so I went. On the way he explained the game a little better to me. He sat down at a $100 minimum Baccarat table and asked me to sit next to him. He told me to make one bet with my chips and then I could stop. I really didn't want to do it, but I figured my $100 was really his and if he wanted me to bet with it, why shouldn't I? I did, he followed my lead and we won again. With $200 I stopped and he insisted I keep the money. I watched him and others play for a while longer and I have been absolutely HOOKED on Baccarat ever since!
I've pretty much moved away from the slots, and will also occasionaly play Three Card Poker which I like, but Baccarat is definitely my game of choice!
I hope I didn't bore anyone with the story, but here are my questions:
* What is it about Baccarat that has created this crazy buzz in me (and others)? The tables are always busy at the casino. It's a simple game, I've learned all the ins and outs of it now, there's not that much to it, so why is it so exciting to play it?
* Is Baccarat just pure luck? Or is there some kind of system? I don't like math but I was guided to look at mathematical patterns, etc, I read some things about it, but is the game just totally random or is there some truth to patterns?
* I have heard and read that the casino has a very small advantage in Baccarat making this a good game to play, is this really true? It's hard to believe everything I read and hear regarding gambling.
* Final question, is Baccarat online trustworthy? Are these things rigged to make you lose? Is there a guaranteed safe place to play Baccarat online?
Thanks so much!!
Anabelle
Yep & yepQuote: AnabelleT* Is Baccarat just pure luck?...is the game just totally random...?
Do you play at Fallsview?
Quote: AnabelleTHe put a little stack of chips in front of me and told me to place it where I thought it should go.
Do you play in California?
Sorry, forget that. I don't know why the game is so popular. Yes, it's pure luck, no strategy. The Wizard's companion site has more information on the game than anyone should ever be allowed to know:
https://wizardofodds.com/games/baccarat/
Well I've got bad news for you...
The only strategy in baccarat is to memorize the drawing rules so you can point out dealer mistakes that hurt you, as these happen relatively frequently. You can see the drawing rules at https://wizardofodds.com/games/baccarat/ . But there is no playing strategy or betting system that could overcome the house edge. If you want to play optimally, bet on banker every time. Never bet player, tie, dragon, panda, etc.
By the way, it's understandable that a pretty woman would come to like a game after winning while being staked/freerolled by an admiring male. A former member of this site named Juicie Jennie, as I understand, became "OBSESSED" with blackjack in much the same fashion. Are you sure you wouldn't have liked any other game just as much if you were given free money to play it?
Quote: AnabelleT* What is it about Baccarat that has created this crazy buzz in me (and others)? The tables are always busy at the casino. It's a simple game, I've learned all the ins and outs of it now, there's not that much to it, so why is it so exciting to play it?
My guess is it is the contact high. Much like craps, everyone is winning, or losing, at the same time because most players bet the same way. When you're winning the excitement feeds on itself.
Quote: AnabelleT* Is Baccarat just pure luck? Or is there some kind of system? I don't like math but I was guided to look at mathematical patterns, etc, I read some things about it, but is the game just totally random or is there some truth to patterns?
Pure luck.
Quote: AnabelleT* I have heard and read that the casino has a very small advantage in Baccarat making this a good game to play, is this really true? It's hard to believe everything I read and hear regarding gambling.
It is better than average. Your odds are better in blackjack, craps, or Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em, if played properly.
Quote: AnabelleT* Final question, is Baccarat online trustworthy? Are these things rigged to make you lose? Is there a guaranteed safe place to play Baccarat online?
I only vouch that Bovada is fair.
Quote: Beethoven9thYep & yep
Do you play at Fallsview?
I'm in South Florida (Coral Gables) I play at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Casino and the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (which is a little further away).
Quote: gpac1377Do you play in California?
Sorry, forget that. I don't know why the game is so popular. Yes, it's pure luck, no strategy. The Wizard's companion site has more information on the game than anyone should ever be allowed to know:
https://wizardofodds.com/games/baccarat/
Thank you for the link! I play in Hollywood Florida at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino.
Quote: NeutrinoSo... you're hooked on baccarat because you've gotten lucky?
Well I've got bad news for you...
Hardly. I have since played Baccarat a bunch of times and though I have gotten lucky, I've also lost some money, but it's all included in my entertainment budget so I don't care. Right now I'm up and I think part of the exciting is hoping I will continue to make the right choices and WIN!!
Quote: sodawaterBaccarat is so popular because it has a very low house edge compared to other games, and is very easy to play. It's also exciting because you get quick decisions and a lot of big "reversals" -- i.e. a huge underdog hand winning, like a player 0 vs a banker 6 after two cards. Picking player or banker over the course of a shoe plays into Eastern superstitions, which is why you'll see scorecards and double-sided pencils and large LCD scoreboards keeping track of the results -- all of which are meaningless. Big-table baccarat is also imbued with all the trappings of sophistication, and allows the players to deal the game, which is fun.
The only strategy in baccarat is to memorize the drawing rules so you can point out dealer mistakes that hurt you, as these happen relatively frequently. You can see the drawing rules at https://wizardofodds.com/games/baccarat/ . But there is no playing strategy or betting system that could overcome the house edge. If you want to play optimally, bet on banker every time. Never bet player, tie, dragon, panda, etc.
By the way, it's understandable that a pretty woman would come to like a game after winning while being staked/freerolled by an admiring male. A former member of this site named Juicie Jennie, as I understand, became "OBSESSED" with blackjack in much the same fashion. Are you sure you wouldn't have liked any other game just as much if you were given free money to play it?
Thank you for the detailed response. As far as being initially "bankrolled", I have to admit I do believe it's what pulled me in for sure. I wouldn't have actually played the game that day had that man not offered to let me try with his money. But I'm using my own money to play now and doing just fine! Thank you for the awesome tip on learning the drawing rules to catch dealer mistakes, right now I know very little about how the drawing rules work.
Quote: WizardWelcome to the forum. I'm always saying we could use more women around here.
My guess is it is the contact high. Much like craps, everyone is winning, or losing, at the same time because most players bet the same way. When you're winning the excitement feeds on itself.
Pure luck.
It is better than average. Your odds are better in blackjack, craps, or Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em, if played properly.
I only vouch that Bovada is fair.
Thank you for your answers, Wizard! I signed up for Bovada! We'll see what happens.
I don't know blackjack strategy enough to play it competently and I'm not sure it's a game that really interests me right now. Craps is crazy complicated! And here in Florida there are no Craps tables anywhere, I think it's illegal (I don't know why). I've seen a Craps machine at the casino, but that's no fun and when I looked at the screen it was like a foreign language to me. I've also seen Ultimate Texas Hold'em tables, but I don't know how to play that version, and to be honest, since my ex played a lot of Texas Hold'em, right now I'm just not interested in playing any kind of poker at all.
Quote: AnabelleTThank you for your answers, Wizard! I signed up for Bovada! We'll see what happens.
I don't know blackjack strategy enough to play it competently and I'm not sure it's a game that really interests me right now. Craps is crazy complicated! And here in Florida there are no Craps tables anywhere, I think it's illegal (I don't know why). I've seen a Craps machine at the casino, but that's no fun and when I looked at the screen it was like a foreign language to me. I've also seen Ultimate Texas Hold'em tables, but I don't know how to play that version, and to be honest, since my ex played a lot of Texas Hold'em, right now I'm just not interested in playing any kind of poker at all.
Anabelle,
I live 3 hours north of you, near Port of Canaveral. We have the Victory Casino Cruise, which goes out 2x day for 5 or 6 hours at a time. They have 3 real craps tables, baccarat, roulette (both 3 tables and electronic), blackjack, 3card poker (x2), and Ultimate Texas HE (x2 - yay! they finally got a second table!). Anyways, they pay good Vegas odds, most tables are $5 minimum, they have good food and a nightclub, and it only costs $10 to get on board (and there are lots of coupons around). You might consider a road trip sometime.
Quote: AnabelleTI signed up for Bovada! We'll see what happens.
I do not think this is a good idea. Baccarat is a negative game. You CANNOT make money from it in the long term. So the only reason to play it is fun. In the casino, there's a lot of elements that might make it fun -- the social interaction, the atmosphere, the dealers, the other players, the physical cards, the chips.
I don't see how playing baccarat online could be fun except for the fun of winning money. Since baccarat is a negative game, you won't make money from it. So why play online?
Quote: sodawaterSo the only reason to play it is fun. In the casino, there's a lot of elements that might make it fun -- the social interaction, the atmosphere, the dealers, the other players, the physical cards, the chips.
I agree with sodawater about what the source of fun is in casino gambling. I play plenty of computer casino games, but never play any of them for real money.
Quote: beachbumbabsAnabelle,
I live 3 hours north of you, near Port of Canaveral. We have the Victory Casino Cruise, which goes out 2x day for 5 or 6 hours at a time. They have 3 real craps tables, baccarat, roulette (both 3 tables and electronic), blackjack, 3card poker (x2), and Ultimate Texas HE (x2 - yay! they finally got a second table!). Anyways, they pay good Vegas odds, most tables are $5 minimum, they have good food and a nightclub, and it only costs $10 to get on board (and there are lots of coupons around). You might consider a road trip sometime.
Wow this is good to know! But I'm not ready for Craps yet. I'll let you know when I decide to come up. I'll research online for it, thanks!
Quote: sodawaterI do not think this is a good idea. Baccarat is a negative game. You CANNOT make money from it in the long term. So the only reason to play it is fun. In the casino, there's a lot of elements that might make it fun -- the social interaction, the atmosphere, the dealers, the other players, the physical cards, the chips.
I don't see how playing baccarat online could be fun except for the fun of winning money. Since baccarat is a negative game, you won't make money from it. So why play online?
Thank you for the headsup, I'm just going to check it out, in fact I was just playing a little of it in practice mode. I play on my iphone and ipad on a really nice app and I agree it's not nearly as exciting and fun as in the casino, though I still really enjoy it.
Quote: AnabelleTThank you for the headsup, I'm just going to check it out, in fact I was just playing a little of it in practice mode. I play on my iphone and ipad on a really nice app and I agree it's not nearly as exciting and fun as in the casino, though I still really enjoy it.
Wizard has a very well made baccarat practice game you might enjoy at https://wizardofvegas.com/games/baccarat/
And why can't someone make money playing Baccarat? I'm in it for the fun, I'm under no illusion that I will be rich playing this game, but after playing a number of times, I'm still up! Isn't it just as probable to get a bunch of winning hands than losing ones in a game I've heard described as pure luck?
I'm terrible at math, but if I flip a coing 50 times, isn't it just as possible that I'll get more Heads?
Quote: AnabelleTI heard it mentioned here that Baccarat is a "negative game", what do you guys mean exactly?
And why can't someone make money playing Baccarat? I'm in it for the fun, I'm under no illusion that I will be rich playing this game, but after playing a number of times, I'm still up! Isn't it just as probable to get a bunch of winning hands than losing ones in a game I've heard described as pure luck?
I'm terrible at math, but if I flip a coing 50 times, isn't it just as possible that I'll get more Heads?
Baccarat isn't as fair as a coin. Some people will win money, some people will lose money, but overall more money will be lost than won.
The negative expectation is the difference in the odds of something happening and the payout for when that event happens.
For example, in a coin toss, if you always bet on heads, you can expect to win half the time, and lose half the time.
If you compare the player hand to the banker hand in baccarat, you will see that the player hand loses more often than the banker.
So, if you keep betting on player, you would expect to lose your bet more often than you won, and would be losing money.
So, great, bet on banker! Unfortunately, when you bet on banker and win, you only get paid 19 dollars out of every 20 that you bet.
Imagine if in the coin toss example, you always bet on heads, but when you win, you only win 19/20. You win half the time, but you don't double your money when you win. you will slowly lose money.
Same way in baccarat - the short payment of 19/20 makes up for the odds of the event happening more than half the time, compared to the player hand.
So, no matter which way you play, you would expect to eventually lose money. This is the negative expectation.
have done the port canaveral boat and now there is one in west palm ibreezecasino that ill try... the 1 in miami superfast bimini doesnt do the cruise to no where unfortunately..
ill usually observe a bac game while waiting for a seat at craps and play in my head :/
Quote: bahdbwoyI am a little further south than Coconut Grove and tend to do hardrock once a month for ecraps..
have done the port canaveral boat and now there is one in west palm ibreezecasino that ill try... the 1 in miami superfast bimini doesnt do the cruise to no where unfortunately..
ill usually observe a bac game while waiting for a seat at craps and play in my head :/
Even though the Hard Rock is much nicer you can go to the Magic City Casino for eCraps, much closer and cheaper at $5 (HR eCraps is $10) I was there once to check it out and the place was new and clean, so not bad when you want to go closer.
Quote: Dalex64Baccarat isn't as fair as a coin. Some people will win money, some people will lose money, but overall more money will be lost than won.
The negative expectation is the difference in the odds of something happening and the payout for when that event happens.
For example, in a coin toss, if you always bet on heads, you can expect to win half the time, and lose half the time.
If you compare the player hand to the banker hand in baccarat, you will see that the player hand loses more often than the banker.
So, if you keep betting on player, you would expect to lose your bet more often than you won, and would be losing money.
So, great, bet on banker! Unfortunately, when you bet on banker and win, you only get paid 19 dollars out of every 20 that you bet.
Imagine if in the coin toss example, you always bet on heads, but when you win, you only win 19/20. You win half the time, but you don't double your money when you win. you will slowly lose money.
Same way in baccarat - the short payment of 19/20 makes up for the odds of the event happening more than half the time, compared to the player hand.
So, no matter which way you play, you would expect to eventually lose money. This is the negative expectation.
Thank you for explaining. Baccarat is weighed towards the casino at 1 or 2% right? So it's pretty close. How long would it take to average it out, or in other words, for you to see the true odds of Baccarat? I would imagine thousands of games? Does this mean pretty much anything can happen in the short run? Short run meaning thousands of games? Is my question clear? I'm confusing myself....
Quote: AnabelleT
Baccarat is weighed towards the casino at 1 or 2% right? So it's pretty close. How long would it take to average it out, or in other words, for you to see the true odds of Baccarat? I would imagine thousands of games? Does this mean pretty much anything can happen in the short run? Short run meaning thousands of games? Is my question clear? I'm confusing myself....
The house edge for the banker bet is 1.06%. That means if you bet $100, you can expect to lose $1.06 every time you do. Now if you bet $100 on banker exactly once until you win or lose, you will either lose $100 or win $95. No other outcome is possible. But you can still EXPECT to lose $1.06. That's what expectation means and it applies to every single bet you make. There's no magic threshold for the "long run" -- the house edge applies to every bet.
The longer you play, the closer your actual results will approximate your expected results.
Quote: AnabelleTI heard it mentioned here that Baccarat is a "negative game", what do you guys mean exactly?
It means that the casino is always more likely to win than the player. That is why the casino is able to afford the free drinks and why the casino decks out the lovely ladies in revealing outfits and gives away free cars.
If you place a bet and lose, the casino takes your money. If you place a bet and win, the casino pays you but nicks you a little by paying a bit less than it should.
>I'm terrible at math, but if I flip a coin 50 times, isn't it just as possible that I'll get more Heads?
YES, but its also possible that you will get more Tails, indeed its rather unlikely that any such fifty tosses would result in exactly 25 H and 25 T. The mathematicians focus on the long run, but all decisions are made by focusing on each flip unrelated to other flips or anyone's desires about them.
Quote: bahdbwoyalmost got screwed at magic city.. i play a slow progression with parlay and there is a max bet per individual bet of 50 which is no bueno
Not sure what you mean but I never played there, I just stopped by to check it out with a friend. They don't have table games other than Poker. No Bacarrat other than eBacarrat which I'm not interested in.
