Can You Count Cards in Baccarat?
Author: 
If you have played table games before then you may have wondered, can you count cards in baccarat? Card counting is best known as a blackjack strategy. However, that does not mean it cannot be used in other card games, including baccarat.
Playing baccarat online is a lot of fun, and having a strategy can help you win more consistently. Perfecting a card-counting technique could help you win consistently. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about card counting in baccarat.
Is Counting Cards in Baccarat Allowed?
There is a never-ending battle between casinos and their customers. Players want to find every edge they can, while the casino wants to prevent people from exploiting the rules. After all, the casino already has the house edge, and it wants to do everything it can to maintain it.
Counting cards is a strategy many casino gamblers, especially blackjack players, have tried. When done correctly, this strategy can improve your odds of beating the casino in the long run.
Unfortunately, casinos have banned this technique, and you could be kicked out of the casino if you are caught counting cards. On the bright side, these rules are mostly designed for blackjack players. So, you could sneak under the card counting radar if you are playing baccarat.
How Does Card Counting Work in Baccarat?
Counting cards is usually done in teams, but it does not have to be a team activity. The goal of this strategy is to have a general idea of which cards are remaining in the deck.
For blackjack, you focus on the number of 10-point cards left to be played. When the ratio of 10-point cards is high, you increase your stake amount to cash in on bigger wins.
Also, most casinos offer Punto Banco, which allows you to bet on either the player or banker hand. You need to place your bets before any cards are dealt, too, so counting cards will only help you before the round starts.
It is also tough to predict where cards will be dealt in the game, and there are set rules for when each hand is allowed to receive more cards. So, even if you know which cards are left in the deck, it will be challenging to use that knowledge to your advantage.
Should You Count Cards in Baccarat?
Counting cards is a risky strategy because it could get you removed from the casino. So, before you use this strategy, there are several factors to consider.
For example, the style of baccarat and the effectiveness of this strategy should be taken into account. You should also consider other baccarat systems that are more likely to be successful.
Differences in Styles of Baccarat
One of the biggest factors to consider when counting cards is the type of baccarat you are playing. As I mentioned above, most casinos offer Punto Banco baccarat. In this version, the dealer makes decisions based on the rules of the game for both the player and the banker hand.
You can also bet on either hand, but your bets are placed before any cards are dealt. Card counting is not typically effective in this version of the game.
In Chemin de Fer, for instance, you can only bet on your hand. You will also have the choice in most situations whether to take an additional card or not.
This is when counting cards can be helpful in baccarat. Knowing which cards are in the deck can help you decide whether taking a third card is a good idea.
Less Effective Than Card Counting in Blackjack
Another issue to consider before you try counting cards in baccarat is that it is not as effective as counting cards in blackjack. One of the reasons this strategy is so popular in blackjack is that much of the outcome of the game is in the hands of the players.
This is not always the case in baccarat, though. There are many different variations of the game, and each offers the player a different level of control over the game.
Your card-counting efforts will be least effective in Punto Banco, which is also the most widely available type of baccarat. Even in versions like Chemin de Fer, counting cards will have limited effectiveness. This is because of the strict rules regarding when you can and cannot take a third card.
Other Baccarat Strategies Work Better
Like blackjack, baccarat has a relatively low house edge compared to many other casino games. Card counting in blackjack can help you reduce the house edge even more. But in baccarat, there are other strategies that are more effective for long-term winning.
For instance, in Punto Banco, you should always bet on the banker hand. Although you will likely have to pay a commission, this wager still has the lowest house edge.
Having a strategy specifically for these baccarat side bets will be more effective than just relying on counting cards.
Employing a betting strategy can also be a great way to improve your odds of winning at baccarat. The Martingale, Fibonacci, and James Bond systems are all popular baccarat betting methods. Using these systems can help you stick to your bankroll and are better options than trying to be a baccarat card counter.
Where Can I Play Baccarat Online?
Playing baccarat online is the easiest way to test out your strategies and enjoy the popular casino game at your convenience. In most cases, online baccarat eliminates the need for card counting, too, because there is no physical deck. Here are three secure casino sites that offer baccarat online.
Bovada Casino
Bovada Casino is one of the best places for anyone who wants to try baccarat online. It offers multiple versions of the popular card game. You can also play the demo version for free or jump right into the paid version.
Funding your baccarat bankroll is easy to do, too, thanks to Bovada’s casino bonuses. The $3,750 cryptocurrency welcome bonus can used to play hundreds of casino games, including baccarat. It is spread out over your first three deposits with Bitcoin or another crypto.
Bovada makes it easy to play baccarat, in large part due to its great user interface. You can quickly find the types of baccarat the casino offers and try each one with the click of a button. Bovada also makes it simple to keep track of your bankroll.
DuckyLuck Casino
Another awesome option for playing baccarat online is DuckyLuck Casino. This casino is especially great if you want to play live dealer baccarat without driving to a casino.
DuckyLuck uses Fresh Deck Studios as its iGaming provider for its live dealer games. Fresh Deck is great for live dealer games, and its live dealer baccarat is no exception. The live dealer software is easy to use and makes it easy to enjoy playing baccarat with a real dealer.
You can even access DuckyLuck’s live dealer baccarat from your mobile device. The casino is optimized for mobile users, so you enjoy your favorite games, including baccarat, from your smartphone or tablet.
Las Atlantis
Last but certainly not least is Las Atlantis Casino. This casino offers baccarat games from several trusted providers, including RealTime Gaming. Like Bovada, you can try the baccarat games at this casino for free by playing in demo mode.
When you are ready to play for real prizes, Las Atlantis offers multiple welcome bonuses. If you want to use traditional banking methods, then I recommend using the $3,000 slots and cards bonus to maximize your baccarat bonus funds.
You can get a lot more bonus funds when you deposit with crypto, though. The $9,500 crypto-exclusive welcome bonus, for example, offers deposit matches on your first five deposits. All you need to do to be eligible is deposit with crypto and use the appropriate bonus codes.
Have You Tried Any Baccarat Card Counting Strategies?
Many people have wondered if you can count cards in baccarat because of its similarities to blackjack. In theory, you could count cards when playing the popular table game. However, it is not effective enough to be worth the effort.
Check out the blog above to learn more about the pros and cons of baccarat card counting. I also break down other, more effective baccarat strategies. Then, head over to Bovada or another one of our suggested casinos to start playing baccarat online today.
Contact Shaun
