Casino types##What is Punto Banco? Punto Banco is an immensely popular casino card game and is also known as Baccarat. It was first developed by an Italian gambler in the 1800s and quickly became a worldwide sensation. The game has some similarities to Blackjack, but its main objective is to guess which of two hands, the Banker’s or the Player’s, will come closest to a total of nine. The game is so straightforward even a child could understand the basics.
##Rules of Punto Banco Game In Punto Banco, each game is played between two hands named the Player’s and the Banker’s which, depending on the value of the cards, receive one or more cards. These two hands are composed of two to three cards and are given by the croupier. The values of the cards are:
- Aces count as 1
- Cards from 2 to 9 count as they appear
- 10s and all face cards count as 0
The objective of the game is to guess which of those two hands will have the highest value, the Player’s or the Banker’s. The highest hand is one which adds up to a total of nine, or as close to it as possible. In the case of a tie, bets on a tie are typically paid out at 8-1. Also, the highest possible hand in this game is equal to 9; once a hand adds up to 10 points or more, the left digit is dropped.
##Betting on Punto Banco When it comes to betting, Punto Banco offers three options: Player, Banker, and Tie. The Player bet pays out at even money, while the Banker's bet pays out at 95.45%. The Tie bet pays out at 8-1. However, it’s important to note that the Tie bet has a much higher house edge (14.36%).
When it comes to the Player and Banker bets, the house edge is quite low. On the Player bet, it’s 1.36%, while on the Banker bet, it’s 1.17%. Additionally, some online casinos offer a commission on the Banker bet (usually of 5%).
##Getting Familiar with Punto Banco Strategy There are different Punto Banco strategies, some of which require the Banker to stand on his hands, while others require him to take a third card for the Player in order to make a higher hand.
For example, some Punto Banco strategy tacticians recommend that Bankers should always draw a third card on a hand total of 8 with their first two cards. Others suggest that Bankers should stand when the Player’s total is between 0 and 5.
It’s important to note that while applying different strategies can increase one’s chances of success, it doesn’t guarantee a win.
##House Edge in Punto Banco In Punto Banco, the house edge varies depending on the bet. On a Player bet, it’s 1.36%. On a Banker bet, it’s 1.17%. On a Tie bet, it’s 14.36%.
When it comes to the Banker bet, some online casinos offer a commission (usually 5%). This decreases the house advantage to 1.09% but also reduces the payout to 95.45%.
##Conclusion Punto Banco is an incredibly popular casino card game, which was originally invented in the 1800s. The main objective is to guess which hand will come closest to nine, the Banker’s or the Player’s. The game is surprisingly easy to learn, yet offers plenty of interaction and strategy for the experienced player. Its betting options also provide players with the chance to make various types of wagers, which offer different levels of house edge.