Introduced in the 14th century, Baccarat is one of the most popular chance games played in casinos. The game had evolved slowly for the last 400 years from when it was known to be played by wealthy aristocrats. Currently, the rules have since changed, and the game is playable by almost anyone willing to learn it. The game is available on online slots, unlike many moons ago when it was only popular in Europe. Under the name ‘Punto Banco,’ Baccarat is playable and enjoyed in many countries. For gamblers, Pennsylvania baccarat is a game to keep an eye on as it offers a majority of advantages to the players rather than the house. This means that the chances of winning big on Baccarat are huge. Parx Casino, a land-based casino offering Pennsylvania Baccarat, is set to soon introduce online Baccarat. Due to the massive bonuses and a wide variety of tournaments, the online Baccarat is poised to overtake the land-based version quickly.
How to Play Pennsylvania Baccarat
Unlike blackjack, Baccarat does not require any James Bond skills to win. The game rules are quite easy to master and understand with little or no effort. The only input needed from the gambler is choosing where to place the bets. Depending on the version, there are only 3 to 5 choices. The three most basic betting options include;
Player Hand to WinHouse Hand to Win
A Tie Between the Player and The House
The house hand represents the casino. The winning hand is the one whose total accumulative value is highest. After placing your bets, the dealer deals two cards each for player hand and house hand. All face cards add up to a zero value while the ace cards total to a value of 1. The hand comes into play after the first two initial cards are dealt. Unless in the case of a tie where both hands have the same value of 9 or 8, the first hand to attain a ‘natural’ value of 8 or 9 wins automatically. The dealer, dictated by initial scores, deals an extra card to the player, house, or both if none of them attains a value of 8 or 9. After the additional card has been dealt with by the dealer, the hand with the highest value wins. There is a 49.3% chance of winning if the gambler places a bet on either the house or player. A tie holds odds of about 9.55% of winning, making the tie a bad bet.
Shifting from Land-Based to Modern Online Gambling
Some of the most popular variations of online Baccarat include;
Chemin De Fer- originally from France. It varies from Punto Banco in that players can play against each other while paying a commission to the house.
Mini-Baccarat- ideal for anyone on a tight budget or learning the game because stakes are usually smaller.
European- closely resembles Punto Blanco but the player has an option to stand or draw on 5. The banker also has the choice to either draw or withhold the third card.
Online Baccarat is becoming more attractive as it offers the convenience of playing at the comfort of your home either in solitude or in the company of friends. The online version offers much better promotions, loyalty rewards, and bonuses than those available in land-based casinos. More importantly, online gaming is a lot safer than land-based casinos, where thieves trace winners. For beginners learning the ropes and keen not to lose their money, online casinos offer gaming simulation where you don’t have to place real money wages while learning the gameplay.
Is It Legal to Play Pennsylvania Baccarat?
Yes. On Oct. 30, 2017, Gov. Tom Wolf made online casinos legal by signing HB 271. This also ensured that all sports betting on online platforms were made legal as long as the casinos were licensed and compliant to regulations.