Punto Banco is one of the most popular varieties of the classic Baccarat game, and is well known among many Lebanese online gamblers. This card game is played with a total of six decks of French-suited cards, providing plenty of pressure and excitement with its swift pace of play. The goal of Punto Banco is to attempt to predict and/or make decisions which cards will be dealt in order to achieve a higher total than the opposing player. As simple as it may sound, becoming a proficient Punto Banco player takes some skill and knowledge in order to gain an edge at the tables.
There are two main forms of Punto Banco available, with each having its own subtle differences.
The ‘American’ form of Punto Banco is the most commonly available version and is the best-known version among online gamblers in Lebanon. Just as its name suggests, it has been developed in the US and adheres to some slightly different rules when compared to the classic Baccarat game.
The ‘European’ version is also becoming increasingly prevalent and is available at several online casinos. This distinct variation is a combination of both the American and British formats, creating an optimal gaming experience for those who want to get the best of both worlds.
Punto Banco, as with regular Baccarat, offers players in Lebanon two main bet types – the punto (player) and the banco (banker). The punto bet is made by the player, while a banco bet is made on the dealer’s hand.
It is possible to bet on a tie in most online casinos as a third option, but it is often not recommended by experienced players. The tie bet has a much higher house edge than the punto and banco bets (12% in total) and should be avoided for the best chances of success.
There are also several side bets available in Punto Banco, including the ‘Perfect Pair’, ‘Either Pair’, and ‘Big/Small’. Many of these bets are too complex to explain in detail here, but offer players even more variety and excitement during their gaming sessions.
Unlike more complex strategy-heavy card games, such as poker, Punto Banco does not require players in Lebanon to become skilled card-counters. This is because Punto Banco is a game of chance based on the actions of the two players involved; the punto (player) and the banco (banker).
Despite this, there are still some advisable strategies which experienced gamblers tend to adopt in order to achieve the best possible results. It is advised to always try to stay ahead of the game and make informed decisions based on your prior actions.
For instance, the decision whether to draw a third card or not is a crucial one which can ultimately decide the outcome of the game. Players can use the knowledge they have gained from previous rounds to make their own educated guess on how to proceed.
Betting is also an area where an informed strategy can be beneficial. Obviously, bet sizes can drastically affect the amount you can win - so careful consideration should be given when deciding on your wagers.
If you feel you may get in too deep, online casinos in Lebanon usually provide the option to utilize limits, such as a time restriction or loss limitation. Once these are set, you will be notified when you are close to reaching the limit, helping you avoid larger losses.
The Return to Player (RTP) rate of Punto Banco is one of the highest of all online casino game varieties. Depending on the online casino, the RTP for the ‘player’ and ‘banker’ bets can be anywhere between 96-98%.
An important factor to bear in mind is the ‘banker’ bet’s house edge of around 1%, which means that the stake may be kept by the house if the banker wins the game. Depending on the rules of the specific casino, the house edge can be higher or lower, so it can be beneficial to research this before you begin playing.
Punto Banco is an incredibly popular, yet surprisingly simple card game, known for its higher RTP rate. It is available to players in Lebanon at many online casinos, but is best enjoyed at sites with a clear understanding of the rules and side-bet options. Becoming proficient in the game takes skill and knowledge, and informed betting strategies should be adopted for the best results.