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Baccarat has a reputation for being a complicated game for high rollers in the exclusive casino rooms. Mini Baccarat blows that myth out of the water, all the elegance and excitement of the original in a faster, more accessible package. It’s perfect for the online casino, and U.S. players love it. This version of the game follows the same basic rules as the original baccarat. Still, it is played on a smaller table with lower stakes, making it an excellent introduction for new players. The dealer handles all the work, making it a fast and straightforward game. This guide will walk you through the rules, bets, and payouts.
The Objective of Mini Baccarat
The objective of Mini Baccarat is simple, and it’s to bet on which of two hands, the “player” or the “banker,” will have a total value closest to nine. Also note that you’re not betting against your own hand; you’re betting on one of two hands being dealt. You can also bet on the hands to tie. If you look at Mini Baccarat at Borgata online casino, for example, you see this in action with all the different bet sizes and functionality.
Card Values
Card values in Mini Baccarat are different from those in blackjack. The rules are simple. Aces are one. Numbers 2–9 retain their face value. And 10s and face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth zero.
When a hand has a two-digit total, the first digit is dropped. For example, if a hand has a seven and an eight, the total is 15, and the one is dropped, leaving the hand with a value of five. The highest total possible is nine. A hand with an eight or nine is a “natural” and is an automatic win unless both hands have the exact total, which is a tie.
The Three Main Bets
In Mini Baccarat, you have three choices to make before any cards are dealt, so you can bet on the player hand to win, bet on the banker hand to win, or bet on a Tie, where both hands have the exact total.
How a Hand is Played
After all bets are made, the dealer follows a set procedure, and two cards are dealt to the player and two cards to the banker. The totals are then announced.
This is where the game is simple for you. Unlike blackjack, you don’t make any decisions. The dealer follows a set of rules, called the “tableau”, which dictates if a third card should be drawn for either hand. You don’t need to memorize these rules; simply observe as the dealer plays out the hand according to the procedure. Generally, if the player or banker has eight or nine, they both stand. If the player has five or fewer, the player’s hand will draw a third card. The banker’s third card rule is a bit more complicated and depends on the player’s third card, but again, this is all taken care of by the dealer.
Payouts in Mini Baccarat
Learning about the payouts for each type of bet is straightforward, as they are generally similar at most online casinos. When you place a bet on the player and win, it pays even money, that is, one-to-one, so a $10 bet wins you $10. If you stake money on the banker and win, you will receive even money (minus a 5% commission). Therefore, a $10 win will lead to a $9.50 win. This commission exists because the banker has a slightly higher statistical probability of winning. If you bet on a Tie and the hands are the same, this bet pays eight-to-one. If the result is a tie, bets on the player and banker are a “push,” and your original bet is returned.
Common Side Bets
Many online Mini Baccarat games also offer side bets to spice things up. One of the most common bets is the Player Pair or Banker Pair bet, as this is a wager that the first two cards dealt to either the player’s or banker’s hand will be a pair. This side bet pays eleven-to-one but has a much higher house edge than the main bets. While these side bets are fun, the player and banker bets are the best for you.
Mini Baccarat Remains Tops
Mini baccarat is a great game for players at U.S. online casinos. It takes away the intimidating appeal of the traditional baccarat and offers a fast, simple and fun experience. Once you place your bet, there are no tricky decisions to make so you can simply sit back and enjoy the suspense. It’s one of the better table games on offer to players, given its low house edge, especially on the banker bet. With an understanding of the basic rules and payout structure, you can approach the Mini Baccarat table with confidence.
