Most players can't play the high-roller room baccarat because the minimums are too high; usually $100 and up. High-roller room baccarat is the preferred form of the game since the pace is really, really slow. However, mini-baccarat can come in with 150 to almost 200 decisions an hour. My last trip a couple of weeks ago I clocked a table for one shoe and — 170 decisions! Yes, 170 decisions. Even with low house edges on the two main bets, Player at 1.24% and Banker at 1.06%, that kind of speed is a killer.
I don't even consider the Tie bet which is a total waste of money, coming in with over a 14% house edge. What does a 14% house edge mean? Hold onto your seat: It means for every $100 wagered on that bet, you will lose (gulp!) $14. That is just the kind of bet to forget about making if you wish to keep any of your money as a baccarat player.
A smart player must cut the number of decisions — at least in half, even better by two-thirds — when playing mini-baccarat. You can do this by getting a scorecard and playing or pretending to play a trend betting system. If two Player bets win in a row, bet Player (or Banker); if two Bankers appear in a row, bet Banker or Player. Keep betting that until you lose and then go back to clocking the table.
Yes, you will note that in my advice, it really doesn’t matter which of the two bets you make after two in a row of one or the other show. To be a “perfect” mini-baccarat player, you should always bet Banker since its house edge is noticeably lower. Of course, both bets are good in terms of the house edge. It is the speed of the game that allows those house edges to whale away at your wallet or purse.
Some form of cutting is the best way, in my opinion, to get the most out of this game. Cutting just means reducing the number of decisions you face. “Cut her down,” as my grand-uncle used to say about trees in his way when clearing property to build houses.
Can this “cutting away” method be a fun way to play? Absolutely. You'll anticipate your two-win streak and then jump into the game. Anticipation is one of the more enjoyable aspects of casino gambling. It gets the heart pumping.
Some players may wonder if it is possible to get an edge at a game with such low house percentages. I wish. But the answer is a resounding “no.”
All the card counting systems that have been created just don’t work. All players are essentially stuck playing the game as the casino wants them to play it. Cutting at least lowers your overall risk as long as you don’t add extra hours to your play because you are following this method.
If you are a table-game player and you have never given baccarat a try, do so. You might find that you have added an enjoyable game to your repertoire.
Frank Scoblete’s new book is “I Am a Dice Controller: Inside the World of Advantage-Play Craps!”
