Baccarat vs Blackjack - Which Is Best For You?

• As two of the most popular casino card games in the world, blackjack and baccarat each have a loyal following.
• If you're not sure which game you'll enjoy playing more, this baccarat vs blackjack comparison should help you decide.

An Overview of Baccarat vs Blackjack

You'll find several similarities between these two casino games, starting with the fact that they are both played with cards and, unlike regular online poker, pit each player against the house. Moreover, cards each have a point value and the hand with the higher value, under specific conditions, is the winner.

Baccarat is a fast-paced game, and while online blackjack turns are also short, the overall game can take longer if multiple players each have to play their turn. In both cases, the dealer, or computer, helps to move the game along and to ensure that everyone plays according to the rules of the table.

The most significant contrast between blackjack and baccarat is that while you need to play your hand in blackjack, you have no such option in baccarat. This means that, while you can influence the outcome of a blackjack game, you've got no control over the result of a game of baccarat.

The Rules and Gameplay of Blackjack vs Baccarat

As with any casino card and table games, both blackjack and baccarat follow a set number of game stages and have specific rules. Below, you'll find a summary of the rules as well as the general gameplay of each card game.

Blackjack Rules and Gameplay

The objective of blackjack is to create a hand with a value as close or equal to 21 without going over. To win, your hand must have a greater value than that of the dealer, who you are playing against. Even if a blackjack table has other players, each one is always only playing against the dealer.

In blackjack, the A can have a value of one or 11, depending on which is better for a particular hand. Cards two to 10 retain their rank value and face cards, namely J, Q, and K, each have a value of 10.

Players take turns playing their hand, choosing between hitting, standing, doubling down, splitting, and surrendering. By taking the best actions, players can reduce the house edge to just 0.5%.

Baccarat Rules and Gameplay

A game of baccarat begins with each player betting on either the Player, the Banker, or a Tie. This means that you need to guess which of the three bets will win and wager accordingly.

Since the outcome of the game is entirely based on luck, the house edge is fixed on each bet. The Player has an edge of 1.24%, the Banker has an edge of 1.01%, and the Tie has a house edge of 15%.

Two cards are initially dealt to either side, though a third card may be dealt in certain circumstances. The value of each hand is calculated by adding the cards together in a somewhat confusing manner.

A has a value of one and cards two through 10 retain their rank value. Face cards have no value. When the cards are added together, any total that's higher than nine is only as valuable as the digit. This means that a hand holding a six and a seven would have a value of three points.

Baccarat vs Blackjack Strategy

While strategies exist for both blackjack and baccarat, neither can guarantee a positive result. Since baccarat does not allow you to play your hands, the best type of strategy is to avoid the Tie bet due to its low probability. Generally, Banker bets are the most successful, and even though they include a 5% commission, are thought to be the best bet in baccarat.

Mathematically-based sequences, such as the Martingale System or the Fibonacci Sequence are sometimes used as baccarat strategies. Commonly used in roulette games, these strategies help players to place wagers on bets with a win probability close to 50%.

When you're playing blackjack, you can make use of free charts to help you decide when to take a particular action. These charts provide a user-friendly way to decide your action based on your first two cards and the dealer's face-up card.

It's also important to note the rules of the table and understand whether a dealer will always stand on 17 or higher and hit on 16 or lower, or if there are exceptions for soft hands. These are hands that contain an A and can, therefore, change their total value.

Unlike in baccarat, seasoned blackjack players can increase their overall results by counting cards and determining the probability that their next card will help them win or lose. While it does not take a mathematical genius to count cards, the technique requires incredible focus and memory. For most players looking to play the game as a form of entertainment, it's simply too much of an effort.

Key Takeaways

• Players can make use of different strategies when playing blackjack and baccarat, but no strategy can guarantee a win.
• While blackjack is generally preferred by players looking to influence the outcome of the game, baccarat is best for those who simply want to pick a side and bet on it.
• Key similarities between blackjack vs baccarat include the use of cards and direct competition between the player and the house.
• Baccarat and blackjack are played with standard, 52-card decks, but assign special values to specific cards. In baccarat, even the total of two cards is calculated in a unique manner.
• You should always play casino games, including blackjack and baccarat, responsibly and never wager more money than you afford to lose.