Play Baccarat Like Bond

We have all seen those James bond movies where the charismatic character sits at a Baccarat table and makes winning bets in the most casual manner. You see those scenes and gush about how wonderful the guy is but really, playing baccarat is not as hard as some people would believe. In fact, with a little support from this guide, we can have you playing baccarat like Bond in no time. You would have to go for a different type of training to become a British spy though!

Beginner Tips

The way Baccarat works, a player has the option to bet on one of two hands – the player’s and the banker’s. You place your bet before the cards are dealt in each round. The player and the banker each receive two cards, and then the scores for these are calculated. Face cards and Tens are worth zero points; the ace is worth one.

When the sum of the scores on both cards dealt to a player is higher than 10, then only the second number in the resulting figure is picked. That is, if for example the both cards add up to 14, the number 4 is chosen. To win the round, your bet must result in as close to the number 9 as possible.

After the first two sets of cards are dealt, a resulting point total of 8 or 9 is called a natural win and it ends the game. If this natural win does not happen, a third card can be drawn as long as the point total falls within 0-5. If the total adds up to 6 or 7, then a third card will not be drawn. When the cards have been dealt, a winning hand can then be calculated. Easy enough, right?

1.  Know that you can bet on either of two hands
2. Know how cards are dealt
3. Announce the point total of both of sets of cards.
4. Understand the natural win
5. Determine whether the player gets a third card by looking at the point totals.
6. Know the rules governing the third card for the Banker
7. Once all cards are dealt, calculate the winning hand
8. Know that you can bet on either of two hands

1. Know that you can bet on either of two hands.

One is the Banker’s hand, the other is the Player’s hand. A player may bet on either hand. Bets must be placed on either the Player or Banker before cards are deal

2. Know how cards are dealt

Know how cards are dealt. Two cards are dealt to both the Player and the Banker. A player or casino operator holding the shoe slides one card out and places it face up in the Player’s box on the felt table. The next card, the first of the Banker hand, is placed in the Banker’s box on the table. The house then deals another Player card, then the second Banker card. The dealer’s first round consists of two cards for both the Player and Banker.

3. Announce the point total of both of sets of cards.

Announce the point total of both of sets of cards. Tens and face cards all are worth zero points; all other cards are worth their face value, with the ace worth one point. If a total is more than 10, the second digit is the value of the hand. For example, a 9 and a 6, which total 15, make up a five-point hand. In order to win, your bet must be on the hand that totals closer to nine.

Card Values
Aces count as one (1)
2 through 9 count as face value
10s and picture cards count as zero (0)

Examples:

9+7=16 Hand counts 6
5+5+5=15 Hand Counts 5
10+9=19 Hand is a “Natural” 9
King+Ace+5=16 Hand counts 6

4. Understand the natural win

Understand the “natural” win. If in the first two cards dealt, the point total is 8 or 9 for either the Player or the Banker, this is called a natural win and the game is over. Bets that have already been placed are cashed out.

5. Determine whether the player gets a third card by looking at the point totals.

Determine whether the player gets a third card by looking at the point totals.The Player hand is completed first. A total of 8 or 9 for the Player will get no additional cards. The Player stands on totals of 6 or 7. On any other total, 0-5, the Player draws a third card, unless the banker has 8 or 9, in which case the bank hand wins with no further draw.

6. Know the rules governing the third card for the Banker

Know the rules governing the third card for the Banker. If the Player stands pat (or draws no new cards), the Banker draws with a hand total of 0-5 and stays pat with a hand total of 6 or 7. All other hands are dependent on the third card the Player draws:

If the Player’s third card is 9, 10, face-card or Ace, the Banker draws when he has a 0-3, and stays with a 4-7.
If the Player’s third card is 8, the Banker draws when he has a 0-2, and stays with a 3-7.
If the Player’s third card is 6 or 7, the Banker draws when he has a 0-6, and stays with a 7.
If the Player’s third card is 4 or 5, the Banker draws when he has a 0-5, and stays with a 6-7.
If the Player’s third card is 2 or 3, the Banker draws when he has a 0-4, and stays with a 5-7.

7. Once all cards are dealt, calculate the winning hand

Once all cards are dealt, calculate the winning hand. The winning hand is that which totals closer to 9. In the event of a tie, neither hand wins or loses. Sometimes a commission is paid out of winnings when betting on the Banker’s hand.

Playing like Bond

“Bond didn’t defend the practice. He simply maintained that the more effort and ingenuity you put into gambling, the more you took out.” Ian Fleming – Casino Royale (1953)

There different variations of Baccarat, but “Chemin de fer” seemed to be Bond’s favorite. It is the variation that he has played in many movies. These include “Thunderball”, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, “Golden Eye” and “Dr. No”. In fact, we could say that James Bond contributed to a rise in the popularity of Baccarat as a casino game.

If you want to play like Bond, here are a few things that you should do:

♠ Choose a proper casino

Bond is a classy man, and he definitely would not go to a casino that does not befit his standing. When you are looking at possible venues, pick a place that exudes all the glamour and glitz associated with the lifestyle of gamblers in the ilk of Mr. Bond. You may have to dig into your pockets for this one – travel if possible, in fact.
Several Bond movies (such as “Golden Eye” and “Never Say Never Again”) used Monte Carlo as a spot for sets and it is a perfect place for a Bond-style baccarat getaway.

♠ Dress Well

Be stylish. Anything less than a good look will not do. It is practically an unspoken rule that you should wear a tux when you’re going to a casino table, so you should obey that rule. Your hair – and maybe a cigar – would all add extra touches to the completeness of your look. Bond carries a gun too but check the local laws before trying to pull that one off.

♠ The Women

Beautiful women are quite literally part of a complete “apparel” for James Bond. They go everywhere with him. You may also want to update yourself on a few good pick-up lines from some of his movies – some of them are actually quite witty.

♠ Get a Drink

“Vodka Martini. Shaken not stirred”. That sound familiar? Of course it does. It is the way Bond like his martinis. Bond likes to drink – but never to excess!

“Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?’  -From the novel Casino Royale (1953)

While you’re settling, get a drink for yourself in a similar fashion to this. It will calm you down and add that extra little bit of sophistication to your overall appearance.

♠ Take Risks

Obviously, the purpose of playing a game such as this one is to win and make money. However, when Bond sits at a baccarat table, the money is not the only motivation for him. The pressure is an adrenaline rush for him, and he tends to take risks that – of course – usually pay off. You have to find an effective strategy to achieve success with this though.
Playing a safe game is not very “Bond-like”, so take a few risks.

♠ Win

He beats up villains, he saves the world from itself countless times, he wins at casinos and he gets all the beautiful women clamoring after him. James Bond does not lose. It is that simple. To complete your “Play like Bond” routine, winning is non-negotiable.
Now that you know the basic rules of the game, and the charismatic British spy’s approach to playing it, you’re ready to hit the casinos. Best of luck!

….Before you hit Monte Carlo – who not practice online for free?