Blackjack vs Baccarat – which is the best casino game?
Whether you play online or at land-based casinos, one thing that’s for sure is that there are plenty of games to choose from. You can choose from slots, keno, bingo-type games, roulette and more. However, there are two games that always seem to pull the crowds: blackjack and baccarat. Let´s take a closer look: Blackjack vs Baccarat.
Blackjack and baccarat are certainly not new. In fact, they’re possibly amongst some of the older casino games that exist. That doesn’t mean that they lose any of their appeal though. So, what is it about these games, and, which of the two is the best? That’s what we’re about to explore.
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What is blackjack?
If you’ve yet to play this casino game, it’s probably a good idea to start at the beginning. Blackjack is a card game that pits players against the dealer. They are not playing against each other – it’s all about having a better hand than the house.
The game starts with players being dealt two face-up cards and you need to get your total to as close as 21 as possible. The dealer is given two cards as well, however one of these is face down. To get the best total possible you need to decide whether to hit (be given another card) or stand (keep the cards that you have).
Now, if you decide to hit the hope is that you get your total ever closer to 21. However, if you happen to go above this number the game ends and you lose. Going over 21 is known as going bust. There is also the chance that the dealer can go bust and they would lose in that scenario too.
If the dealer starts the game with a total of 17 or more, the rules will generally say that the dealer has to stand and they can’t deal themselves another card. At this point, it’s about looking at who is closer to 21 and so who the winner is.
When winning at blackjack, you’re paid out in odds as opposed to even money. The best online and land-based casinos will pay 3:2 for a blackjack. What’s becoming more common though is 6:5. When it comes to increasing your chances of winning, you can do this by mastering basic blackjack strategy. That’s one of the things that makes this game so popular – players know that their actions have an impact on the outcome.
What is baccarat?
For those who are new to the online casino and live casino environment, there may be a little confusion when they first stumble across a baccarat table. That’s because, to the newcomer, the games can look relatively similar. One big difference comes when looking at the bets that can be placed. There are three options here. Players can bet on:
- The banker
- The player
- A tie
After all bets have been placed, the dealer will deal two cards to players as to the house/banker. There are rules within the game that state whether or not any more cards are dealt but, unlike in blackjack, players have no decisions to make other than who they bet on.
While blackjack is about getting as close to 21 as possible without going bust, in baccarat there is no such thing as losing because you’ve gone over. The hand that wins is the one that’s the closest to 9.
Scoring in the game is simple. To make 9 you simply need to add up the value of the two cards. Cards from Ace to nine are worth their face value. Picture cards and 10s are worth nothing. So, if you had, let’s say, a nine and a seven, that obviously adds up to 16. However, you then have to drop the one meaning the total reads as 6.
When talking about baccarat, one of the phrases that you’ll often hear is that the house always wins. To be honest here, this is probably more true with this game than it is with any other. Why’s that? Well, if you bet on the player you’ll get even money. A bet on the bank that wins then sees you paying a 5% commission. This obviously puts things in favour of the house but it’s something that you just have to accept if you want to play baccarat.
Blackjack vs baccarat – the similarities
If you stood at the doors to a casino and could see both a blackjack and baccarat table in the distance, the chances are that it would almost look like the same game was being played at both tables. What you witness is everyone starting with two cards and then having the option to draw more as they try and improve their hands.
In truth, this is probably where the similarities come to end. Yes, those actions may look the same, but the games are actually quite different.
Blackjack vs baccarat – the differences
To understand the differences between these two games, you need to have an understanding of how blackjack rules differ from baccarat rules and how the games play out. The biggest difference that can be seen is that baccarat players are unable to make any decisions that impact the outcome of the game. They literally choose where to wager and then wait to see what happens.
Blackjack is a more active game. The decisions to stand, hit, double down, or surrender, all affect how the game plays out.
Blackjack vs baccarat – conclusion
It’s tough to choose a clear favorite here as both games have things going for them. For us though, we are drawn to coming down on the side of blackjack. The reality is that both games have much to offer and both have a house edge that other games can’t compete with, but blackjack has that something extra.
For us, it’s the ability to use skill and strategy that makes blackjack a better game. Baccarat is entertaining enough but we much prefer a game where we can influence the outcome. If you want to make your own mind up, why not try out the free online versions of each and see which you prefer?
| 21+ | Terms & Conditions Apply | NJ Residents Only | ||
| $25 FREE on Signup 100% up to $1.000 on First Deposit Hotspot Leaderboard | Visit Casino |
