Online casino gaming is a global affair, but few players enjoy Baccarat as Asians do. And who could blame them? Baccarat, with its countless variants, tops most international charts of popularity right along with Blackjack and Roulette. And right there at the top is Punto Banco, one of its most successful variants to date.
If you’ve never had the chance to explore this majestic casino game, join us for a tour around Punto Banco casinos. We’ll explore the good sides of Punto Banco and even show you how to play Punto Banco online.
What is Punto Banco?
Punto Banco is the American version of Baccarat. The original game originates from France, but due to its simplicity, it had a great appeal for American casino players. Players took Baccarat Chemin de Fer, the original version, and made it even simpler in terms of rules.
The result is Punto Banco, the easiest and most straightforward version of the game, which is prevalent across the globe. Today, we can even say that many players consider it the standardized version in international casinos.
Brief Overview of the Rules
The game uses a shoe of eight card decks. The goal of the game is to predict which hand (Player or Banker) would be the closest to the value of 9. And with the addition of Tie, Player and Banker are the main betting options in Punto Banco.
Croupiers deal two cards per hand in each round. The value of each card is taken as their face value, with face cards (10, J, Q, K, and A) have zero value. The hand total is the sum of the points from each card. If it’s less than 5, the croupier will deal with another card. If it is over 5, the hand automatically stands.
The winning hand is the one that’s the closest to 9 in value. If it straightly clocks in on 9, it’s an automatic winner.
What makes Punto Banco so easy to play is the fact that the players have nothing to do except place bets. The casino dealer deals all cards and declares the outcome at the end of the round. Consequently, there is little to no room for creating strategies – although many players have managed to do that nonetheless.
How to Play Punto Banco
The round begins when players take their seats at the (virtual) table. In modern Punto Banco, up to 12 players can play the game simultaneously.
The first thing that happens at the beginning of the round is betting. Punters place bets on the hand that they want – Player, Banker, or Tie. The Player hand pays 1:1 in winning outcomes, while the casino takes a 5% commission for Banker wins. The reason for this is that the house is more likely to win, so if you bet on the Banker, you have better chances of scoring. Hence, you pay a commission for this.
The Tie bet pays 8:1 if both hands have the same total value.
So, here’s the full game walkthrough for a single round:
- Players place bets on the desired hand. Once the bet is placed, there is no turning back.
- The dealer deals two face-down cards to the Player, and then the Banker.
- The croupier then flips the cards to show their values. He (or she) then count the values and announce the outcome.
- If any hand has 8 or 9, they win, and the croupier deals no more cards.
- In case there are no 8 or 9 totals, the dealer will then deal more cards. For hands that are under 5, they get an extra card.
- After dealing new cards, the croupier again counts the values and declares the winner. Players then get ready for the new round.
In short, playing Punto Banco for real money is an excellent thing for all casino players. It’s easy to learn, fun to play, and immensely rewarding due to its low house edge.
The Advantages of Punto Banco Online
The perks of playing Punto Banco are numerous! These advantages are what make this game so attractive to players around the globe.
The first advantage is the low house edge. It’s actually one of the lowest edges among casino games. The Banco bet has a 1.06% edge, while Player boasts 1.24% edge.
Another great thing about Punto Banco is that it is effortless to master. You don’t have to be a proficient casino player to learn the ropes at all. Most players grasp the rules after only a couple of rounds.
One of the benefits of playing Punto Banco for real money is that international casinos offer premium Punto Banco rooms and lobbies. Plus, you can enjoy a more realistic experience thanks to live Punto Banco tables in live dealer casinos!
And finally, the reason why we love this game is that it is based around luck: strategies, methods, plans, and techniques fall short when you have to rely on the fortune here.
And that’s why it’s so mysterious and elusive – precisely what modern gamblers look for in their favourite online casinos.
Conclusion
As you have seen here, there are many ways to enjoy Baccarat, but its Punto Banco variant might be the best option. This game is an exceptional version of the popular card game, and it’s even easier to handle!
Easy rules and a fast-paced gameplay make this variant a favorite choice for many players around the world. If you want to experience premium Baccarat gaming, don’t hesitate to seek Punto Banco tables for real money in online casinos.