Casinos have come a long way from Las Vegas. With the introduction of online casinos, more and more casino players have traded their land-based casino experience for a digital one. This gave rise to thousands of digital slots and hundreds of popular Live Casino games — two of which are baccarat and blackjack.
Many players may ask what makes these two games unique? How do they differ? This article will answer these questions and help you decide whether you’re a blackjack wiz or more of a baccarat virtuoso.
Casinos have come a long way from Las Vegas. With the introduction of online casinos, more and more casino players have traded their land-based casino experience for a digital one. This gave rise to thousands of digital slots and hundreds of popular Live Casino games — two of which are baccarat and blackjack.
Many players may ask what makes these two games unique? How do they differ? This article will answer these questions and help you decide whether you’re a blackjack wiz or more of a baccarat virtuoso.
How To Play Blackjack and Baccarat
First things first, let’s go through the actual gameplay with this quick how-to section.
Blackjack
In blackjack, the player must obtain a hand with a value as close to 21 as possible (without surpassing it) and have a greater total than the dealer. The value of your cards depends on the cards you obtain. Each number card is taken at face value, jack, queen and king count as 10, and the ace counts as either one or 11 depending on your hand.
You start off with two cards face up. If you are dealt an ace and a ten-value card then you have blackjack. If not, you can either choose to hit another card or stand at the current value of your hand. On some tables, you will have the option to double down or split. Doubling down will double your bet in exchange for only one more card. Splitting is available on pairs or two cards of equal value (both 9-9 and 10-Q are pairs). Other tables may offer insurance, surrender or special actions like tripling or quadrupling down in online Power Blackjack. Once all decisions have been made, the dealer will reveal their cards and the winner will be determined.
Baccarat
This table game works in a similar way to blackjack, in the sense that both games aim for the best possible value of card combinations. In baccarat you must try and predict which hand will obtain a value closest to nine. So, you can bet on the Player hand, Banker hand or a Tie. When you play baccarat, expect to find optional side bets as well, like Player Pair or Banker Pair. Cards 2-9 are worth their face value; 10s, jacks, queens and kings have a value of zero; the ace is worth one point.
Both the Player and the Banker receive two cards. If the value exceeds nine, then the value of the hand is calculated a little differently. If a hand consists of 9-7, for example, the total is 16. Since nine is the highest obtainable value, the 10 is dropped from the total and the hand is valued at six points. Depending on the point totals of the hands, an additional card may be drawn according to the Third Card Rule.
There are several variations of the game, like baccarat chemin de fer, baccarat banque and punto blanco (North American baccarat). At online casinos, Dragon Tiger and Football Studio are two incredibly popular baccarat variants. Keep in mind that rules, odds and betting markets may differ from one variant to another, and may vary across casinos as well.
Blackjack Or Baccarat?
Now that you got a hold of the basics, let’s go through the differences between blackjack and baccarat.
Theoretical House Edge
The house edge is one of the main factors players look for in a game, as the house advantage may determine whether the associated risks are worth putting the bankroll on the line. The house edge, expressed as a percentage, is the statistical advantage that the casino or gambling venue — the ‘house’ — has over you as you play over time. In online slots, this edge (or rather, the inverse) is expressed as the Return To Player percentage.
Baccarat games feature one of the lowest house edges of all casino games.
- Banker — 1.06%
- Player — 1.24%
- Tie — 14.36%
The Tie bet has the best payout of the three bets; however, the odds of hitting this bet are significantly lower. When you play baccarat for the first time, it is wise to steer clear of wagering on a Tie! Even though the Player hand has a slightly higher house edge, it may also be advantageous to take this punt over the Banker wager.
In terms of being more favourable to the player, blackjack has the upper hand. Blackjack is one of the few table games where all actions directly influence the house edge. Through effective use of strategy and optimal gameplay actions, the blackjack house edge can be reduced to 0.50%; however, incorrect implementation of strategy (or lack thereof) pushes the edge upward to 2%. Depending on the table, blackjack rules may vary and impact your chance of winning.
The Minimum Wager
One of the most significant differences between these two games is the minimum bets you can place. More often than not, baccarat features a much higher minimum wager in comparison to blackjack, which is why high rollers tend to be more attracted to a game of baccarat rather than blackjack. With that said, online casinos do offer baccarat games with a lower bet size, so don’t you have to play with such high stakes.
Strategy — Baccarat VS Blackjack
In baccarat, strategy can only take you this far. Since you have three betting options (optional bets aside), the apparent choice is to always go for the Banker bet, which has a favourable house edge. In other words, the Banker has the best odds of winning. The rest of the decisions are made automatically, requiring little to no strategic thought. However, experienced punters will know that implementing a betting system in tandem with a solid strategy is the key to playing efficiently against the odds.
In blackjack, every action you make will directly affect the house edge and, thus, the statistical return of money over time. There are multiple decisions to make during a game of blackjack: you can either hit, stand, double down, split and, on some tables, take insurance or surrender. Knowing that there is an optimal scenario for every action, new players may feel as if they are wandering around in the dark. Thankfully, blackjack strategy charts are made readily available to help you boost your odds. Don’t forget that different strategy applies based on the game rules, and even the number of decks used. Always keep these strategy tables and payout odds handy, they will be instrumental in guiding your blackjack gameplay.
Getting Started
Getting started with baccarat is pretty straightforward, despite its more complicated scoring system. Players wager on a Tie, a Banker win or a Player win; everything else is handled by the dealer.
Blackjack involves multiple decisions. Depending on the cards you receive, you will be required to either hit and receive another card, stand, double down, split or surrender (if available). Unlike baccarat, players have control of their hand in blackjack and are required to make strategic actions during gameplay. The lack of complexity in baccarat makes it an easier casino game to start with.
Gameplay
Blackjack is not as easy to jump into, especially if you’re just getting started on your Live Casino journey. Blackjack players must be able to adjust their strategy on the fly, as any card can significantly impact the odds of success. Knowing when to hit, stand, split or double down will be instrumental in every scenario, so take the time to look into blackjack strategy before you play.
In both games, the pace is rather quick. There is a limited timeframe to place bets, and the game round begins as soon as the betting window closes. Since the decision-making is handled automatically in baccarat, the rounds are faster than in blackjack.
Betting Variety — Baccarat VS Blackjack
The wager options in baccarat include a bet on the Player or Banker hand, or even a Tie, whereas blackjack offers more complex actions. Online casinos feature multiple casino games, including dozens of baccarat and blackjack variants, which may offer more innovative features than your typical table game. These variants may include multiple side bets or bonuses to spice up the gameplay and ultimately give you a more engaging experience. That said, blackjack certainly offers more variety, due to the sheer number of possible actions and optional bets (like 21+3 or Perfect Pairs).
Game Rules
As with every casino game, rules may vary significantly from one table to another. A blackjack table can offer payouts of 3:2 or 6:5 for blackjack, and the game can be played with anywhere from one to eight decks. Additionally, there are multiple house rules that will also impact the edge. For example, whether the dealer hits or stands on a soft 17, or if doubling down is allowed after splitting.
Despite the lack of significant rule variations in baccarat, make sure to take a look at the game rules before you play. Some variants may offer optional bets or varied odds.
Baccarat VS Blackjack at LV BET
Ultimately, choosing the perfect game comes down to personal preference. Even though these two games are strikingly similar, they could not be any more different from the way they are played. If you’re looking for the best odds and a chance to reduce the house edge? Go for blackjack. Quick and simple gameplay? Opt for baccarat. Both games are incredibly entertaining, and are a great starting point for anyone wishing to try out table games.
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For additional information and blackjack strategy guides, take a look at our Blog, where you’ll find comprehensive articles on rules of play and basic strategy. When you’re ready, try your luck on dozens of our baccarat and blackjack games from industry leaders like Evolution and LiveG24 — we can’t wait to show you around!