Baccarat, believe it or not, has been around for hundreds of years! In fact, if the well-worn legends are true, the game can be traced all the way back to around the 15th or 16th century in Italy.
The game then moved on to France before reaching US shores in the 19th century, and the rest – as they say – is history.
Baccarat is an incredibly popular casino game, both in land casinos and online. This is likely because it is relatively easy to learn how to play, and there are more than a few different variations and twists to try out.
However, despite its simplicity, the game has certain myths that go beyond how and when the game was invented. In fact, some of the widely spread rumours and myths about the game can become costly if you’re not careful. Therefore, it’s worth separating fact from fiction wherever you can!
Here are some of the most common myths about baccarat, and how to stay safe playing the game online.
MYTH: You can count cards in baccarat
Card counting is never a good idea if you want to stay on the good side of your casino. Beyond that, while there are claims that you can count cards successfully in some games, it’s not easy. Bottom line: avoid it.
Certain players assume that counting cards is an easy strategy to adopt when it comes to baccarat, mostly because of how similar it is to blackjack, especially in its simplicity.
However, let’s bust that myth. You can’t count cards in baccarat. Why? Because unlike in blackjack, the used cards are not returned to the shoe – meaning that there’s not even an opportunity for you to count.
In blackjack, high-value cards are extremely important, which plays into card counting strategies.
However, this is not the case with baccarat. Pulling an ace in baccarat is very different from landing one in blackjack – it’s pretty worthless in this game.
Take it from us – ignore anyone who tells you that it’s possible to count cards in baccarat. If you try, you’ll end up much worse off. Just manage your bankroll and bet responsibly.
MYTH: You can find patterns in baccarat
Regardless of how things might seem, there are no set or magical patterns that pop up in baccarat.
When players talk about detecting patterns in baccarat, they refer to when the next natural hand is likely to arise – that is to say, when the next natural hand of two cards creating eight or nine will pop up.
Natural hands are highly sought after in baccarat, and yet there’s no guaranteed way of knowing when they will arise. As with all casino card games, gameplay is completely random!
In the hope of detecting patterns, some players might write down the results of the previous games and look for correlations.
If you enjoy looking at statistics, more power to you – but there’s no way to predict what hands will arise next just because you’re ‘due’ a win. This is much the same as chasing wins and losses in all casino games – it’s just not worth it.
The chances of winning between player and banker are equal, which helps to make baccarat all the more unpredictable. Therefore, don’t immediately assume that you’ll tip the balance by predicting when the next natural appears.
MYTH: Online baccarat is always rigged
You could apply this myth to most casino games online. Provided that you’re playing baccarat with an online casino that’s fully regulated and that works with leading industry game developers, you’re playing a fair and measured game that’s completely random.
Some who argue that online games are rigged claim that an online program can’t produce natural hands, therefore making them rigged in favour of the casino or dealer. However, just because you can’t see real-time shuffling when playing virtual baccarat doesn’t mean that the game is unfair or rigged!
At TonyBet, we rigorously check our games and ensure that our practices comply with industry regulations. We genuinely care about protecting our players and ensuring that everyone has a fair chance when playing our games, from tables to virtual games.
It’s easy to assume that a game might be against you if you hit a losing streak in baccarat. However, take heart from the fact that you never truly know what will happen next. The very nature of a random game means that things could go either way.
If you’re concerned about the legitimacy of any online casino games you play, always check your casino’s regulations and registration details, which are usually available from the front page of its website.
MYTH: You should always make a tie bet
Firstly, don’t let anyone tell you which bets to place! You should play baccarat your own way, and ultimately, no strategies or bets work better than others. One of the most popular bets that seem to stir up the rumour mill is the tie – you don’t have to make tie bets to win at baccarat.
The odds on a tie bet tend to fall at around 8:1 or 9:1, meaning that they can be attractive to some players. However, the actual odds of this bet will vary depending on the casino and the type of baccarat game you play.
However, placing a tie bet isn’t a safety net or guarantee. In fact, even at the shortest odds, there’s always a chance that you could go away a loser in baccarat. It pays to be realistic and responsible when playing casino games for real money online.
A better rule of thumb to follow would be to diversify your bets, or place bets within healthy limits dictated by your bankroll. Don’t assume that a tie bet will ‘eventually’ pay off even if it doesn’t appear to for several rounds in a row.
Our advice would be to try to explore the game for yourself as freely as you can. As with all of the myths in this guide, it’s healthy to avoid following alleged shortcuts or strategies to win. It’s completely random – whether you play at a land casino, through a virtual game, or with a live dealer.
MYTH: Baccarat is only for seasoned casino players
Let’s close with a bit of an odd myth that, for some reason, is still around today despite the fact that casino games are more accessible than ever before.
Thanks to its illustrious history, baccarat has a reputation as being a game played by members of the aristocracy. History dictates that this was the case for some time, but thanks to baccarat’s spread in popularity across the US in the 1900s and the rise of online casino gaming in the past decade, it’s just history.
What’s more, baccarat isn’t a game necessarily reserved for ‘pro’ casino players. It’s actually quite easy to learn how to play, and while it’s not always easy to win, it’s still one of the most accessible table games found in land and online casinos.
Therefore, you have our express permission not to feel intimidated by baccarat! The rules are quick to digest, and it’s also one of the speedier card games online. So, if you try a round or two within your budget and decide that it’s not for you, feel free to look for something else. You won’t have spent much time trying it!
Conclusion
For a game that’s relatively simple on the surface, it’s a little bizarre to see so many rumours about baccarat start circulating. The fact is that many of the baccarat myths listed above are older than most of the people reading this guide!
Rumours and myths spread fast because they appear to give interesting new twists to games we’re already so accustomed to – but don’t fall into the trap!
The bottom line is that online baccarat is fair, balanced and completely random. There are no sneaky shortcuts or cheat codes you can use to get ahead, and there are certainly no ways for you to count cards.
Start exploring baccarat on your own terms and set a firm bankroll. Walk away from the game at a healthy interval, and don’t chase wins or losses!
Above all, make sure that you only play baccarat for real money at reputable, regulated casinos – such as TonyBet. Otherwise, you risk losing more than time.
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