Let’s take a look at some history before explaining the Baccarat 1688 game, which dates back to the 15th century. The first time Americans saw this casino game was in the 1962 James Bond film Dr. No, when Bond (Sean Connery) was winning in a Monte Carlo casino. Chemin de fer was the name of the game.
Phase I – The Iron Road
Players bet amongst themselves and won or lost with their own money in the original edition. After each hand, a dealer shoe spun counterclockwise around the table. The bank might be declined, and the shoe could be passed to the next player. The casino’s costs was covered by a 5% commission on winning bank hands given to the house.
Punto Banco (Second Phase)
Punto Banco, which translates to “Player, Banker,” was introduced to Nevada in the late 1950s from Cuba, where it was extremely popular until Castro closed down the mob-run casinos. The key difference between this game and the French version is that the house is the banker. To strengthen the house edge, a tie bet was added, and the 5 percent commission for a winning bank bet stays in effect. Baccarat, which is Italian for “zero,” was eventually coined. Baccarat is now played in high-limit rooms all over the world, with millions of dollars being won and lost every day.
Mini-Baccarat is the third phase.
Gaming institutions eventually noticed the financial potential in 1688 baccarat, but they had to make it appealing to the average player. As a result, a new variant, Mini-Baccarat, was born. The rules are identical to Punto Banco, with the exception that one house dealer oversees the game for up to seven players. Minimum table bets are as low as $5 or $10. To improve the house edge, a number of alternative side bets have been included.
What Is Baccarat and How Do I Play It?
The player’s goal in Baccarat 1688 is to get as near to the number 9 as possible. Aces are worth one, 2s through 9s are of face value, and 10s through Ks are worth zero.
The dealer only deals two hands from a six or eight deck shoe, regardless of the number of players. Prior to the deal, participants must wager on the bank hand, the player hand, or a tie. Croupiers pass the shoe around so that players can deal the cards in turn. The shoe is kept in place in Mini-Baccarat, and the dealer is in charge of the entire game.
When a hand is tallied, it can’t be more than nine. If the total of the two cards exceeds nine, the first digit is dropped. The sum is determined by the second digit. 7,8=15, for example. (one is omitted) total = 5.
1688 baccarat is a game that does not require any talent to play. Before the trade, the player only needs to place one bet. If a third and final card to be drawn, the dealer evaluates both hands. The decision is decided based on a set of predetermined game rules. They are as follows:
Player Bets Game Rules
Unless the banker has a natural 8 or 9, the player position always draws on a 0, 1, and 2,3,4,5. On 6,7,8, and 9 the player always stands. The game is over when the play bet has a natural 8 or 9.
The Banker Bet has its own set of rules.
Unless the player holds a natural 8 or 9, the banker position always draws on a 0, 1, and 2. On 7,8, and 9, the banker always stands. The game is over when the banker has a natural 8 or 9.
Strategy
There is no need for a game strategy. Even with the 5% commission given to the house, always bet the bank with the lowest house advantage of 1.06 percent. The house edge on a player bet is 1.24 percent, but the house edge on an 8 to 1 tie bet is a stunning 14 percent! This wager is not advised. At the micro tables, a handful of potential side bets have house margins ranging from 2% to 13%. This is not a good idea.
