5 Common Baccarat Myths

Baccarat is one of the common table games that you’ll come across at online or land-based casinos. Though baccarat does not have the same popularity as blackjack, roulette, or poker, it’s still a perfect option for players looking to try something else.

While baccarat comes with simple rules, there are several myths and misconceptions around the game. As you learn baccarat rules and strategies, you must debunk the major myths and separate them from reality. Otherwise, it can cloud your judgement and impact your winning if you believe them.

Don’t be deceived by myths because they are just folktales and untrue.

This article will walk you through the five most common myths surrounding baccarat, and we’ll do our best to clarify them. Let’s get started.

Card Counting

Myth 1: Card Counting

Card counting is an advanced blackjack strategy that allows you to monitor the ratio of the high and low cards remaining in the card decks. The system can reduce the casino house edge, thereby increasing the player’s chances of winning.

The myth behind this strategy is that players believe they can use it when playing baccarat as well. Most casino players believe this because blackjack and baccarat are played using the same card decks.

However, can we adopt a card counting strategy for a baccarat game? Well, the answer is no; counting cards is impossible. The reason is that used cards in baccarat don’t return to the shoe as in blackjack.

Besides that, blackjack and baccarat have slight differences that render card counting ineffective. For instance, blackjack consists of high-value cards like faces and aces, granting players a better winning chance. But, this doesn’t apply to baccarat. So rather than learning card counting for baccarat, we recommend players focus on a good budget management strategy.

Detecting Patterns May Help

Myth 2: Detecting Patterns May Help

Detecting patterns means knowing when a natural hand will occur; in other words, knowing when a hand of two cards will total eight or nine. In most cases, you’ll see players noting down the result of the previous game round.

Players hope to detect patterns and use them to bet accordingly to increase their winning chances. This is another misleading myth common among baccarat players because finding the winning patterns of this game is next to impossible.

In addition, baccarat is a game of luck, where the previous result has no impact on the next round. Players should keep in mind that the chances of players and the banker are exactly the same. So, because the banker has won 20 times in a row doesn’t mean the player is expected to win the next round. It also does not mean that the banker will win either. Though rules have it that the banker might win more due to the house edge, you still can’t predict the game’s result.

Progressive Betting Systems

Myth 3: Progressive Betting Systems

Progressive betting systems are all about adjusting your stake size based on whether you’ve won or lost your bet. The typical progressive betting systems used in baccarat are Martingale and Fibonacci.

Most gamblers believe they could take advantage of probabilities to increase their wager accordingly with these betting systems. However, this is not the case because baccarat does not follow the probability rules.

Like slots, baccarat is a game of randomness, so adopting these systems can be quite risky. However, these betting strategies can’t guarantee you a 100% win. So don’t be deceived when someone tells you they have a betting strategy that can help you improve your winning chances. Also, players might need a huge bankroll to apply these systems.

Online Baccarat is Rigged

Myth 4: Online Baccarat is Rigged

Most online casino players, especially newbies, are sceptical of playing baccarat at an online casino since they think the results are rigged. Unlike traditional casinos, you can’t see what’s behind the scene when playing online.

But is it true that online baccarat is rigged? Well, we’ll say it depends on the casino you’re visiting. If you play at one of the best online gambling sites, you need not worry. These platforms are licensed and overseen by strict regulators such as Curacao eGaming, the Malta Gaming Authority, and the UK Gambling Commission.

In addition, games available at the best online casinos are tested regularly by third-party firms like eCOGRA, Technical Systems Testing, and PricewaterhouseCoopers to verify the software's fairness.

Also, top casinos only partner with prominent developers like NetEnt, Microgaming, Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger Gaming, and Playtech. These developers are known to design top-notch games. So we recommend playing at reliable and licensed casinos to avoid biased games.

Winning in Baccarat is Hard

Myth 5: Winning in Baccarat is Hard

Another myth common among players is that baccarat is one of the least lucrative casino games. However, this is a false statement made by those who don't understand the game.

Most of these sayers believed this story because baccarat is considered a game playable only by the elite and high roller players. As a result, players with a low bankroll think baccarat isn’t worth trying. Well, we’re glad to tell you that this isn’t true at all.

The reality is that baccarat is one of the most straightforward games you can find at online casinos. The game rules are simple, so you don’t need any technical skills to get started. Additionally, baccarat comes with the lowest house advantage compared to other games.

Placing your wager on the banker comes with a house edge of 1.06% while betting on the player has a house advantage of 1.24%. The house edge offered by baccarat is lower than the one you’ll find in other chance games like slot and roulette.

Our Final Verdict

If you’re thinking of playing baccarat for the first time, we hope this article has helped you see that baccarat myths are nothing to take seriously. These are not the only myths you’ll encounter in the gambling world, as more stories will likely pop up in the future. So turn deaf ears to them and enjoy your gambling session.

All you need is to find a reliable and licensed gambling platform and start sharpening your baccarat skills. In addition, take advantage of online casino bonuses as it’s an excellent way to boost your bankroll. Also, focus on budget management and don’t play with the money you can’t afford to lose.

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Lucas Goldberg
Lucas, a seasoned site editor at CasinoCanada, boasts a decade-long journey in the gambling industry with a focus on providing players with meticulous reviews and insights of online games and casinos.
Site Editor
University of Toronto
Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Digital Media, and Journalism, PlayTech Analytics career, communication with users through high-quality gambling content.
Expert in:
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Reviewed by Head of Content:
Dmitry Rogalchuk
Last updated on: 20.02.2024

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