Quick Navigation
Baccarat is James Bond’s casino game of choice, and blackjack has long been one of Hollywood’s favorite casino games to use in movies. Both are card games that are very popular, but how to choose one? Well, here we compare particulars about baccarat and blackjack to help you make an informed decision on what game would be better suited for you.
- Baccarat and blackjack are card games that are based on chance.
- Baccarat relies solely on chance; blackjack requires some skill to play.
- You are not involved in the baccarat gameplay; you are directly involved in the blackjack gameplay.
- Baccarat is appealing to players who want to play a casino game without making serious decisions.
- Blackjack is appealing to players who enjoy a more dynamic gambling experience and want to be directly involved in the game.
Baccarat & Blackjack: Side By Side Comparison
While baccarat and blackjack are both table casino games that use cards, there are distinctions between these that set them apart. Here, we’ll list the fundamental differences between the baccarat and blackjack rules.
✅ Baccarat Basics
Baccarat is a card game that is played between the player and the banker, and the bettors are the observers who choose one hand to bet on. The player and banker get two cards, and if there is a score of 8 or 9, it is a natural win; if there is another score, the game continues after a set of table rules:
- Learning how to play baccarat is simple, and this game requires little skill
- There are limited outcomes: player, banker, and tie, and you only choose one of them
- The goal in baccarat is to get a score closest to nine
- Only the lower-value cards are in play in baccarat; the cards with 10 and up are not counted
- The Ace is counted as 1, all number cards have their own value, and 10s and face cards are worth 0
- Each baccarat hand gets a maximum of three cards
Credit: 22Bet
✅ Blackjack Basics
Blackjack is a card game that you play against the dealer. The game starts with the dealer dealing two face-up cards to the player and two cards to themselves, one of which is face-down. Based on the cards you get, you decide on the next move:
- In blackjack, after the dealer deals the cards, you decide on the next move
- The goal in blackjack is to get a score closest to 21 without going over
- If the player or the dealer get a score of over 21, it is an immediate loss
- You only see half of the dealer’s hand, which is why you need to guess what the strength of their hand is
- Each card has its own value; Aces are worth 1 or 11, face cards are worth 10, and number cards are counted as their face value
- You can get multiple cards in your hand as long as you don’t go over 21
Baccarat vs. Blackjack Gameplay
Now, let’s compare the baccarat and blackjack bets you can place. We will also list the strategies that may work best when you play online baccarat and online blackjack.
| Baccarat | Blackjack | |
|---|---|---|
| Game Type | Game of chance | Game of chance and skill |
| Bets | Player, Banker, Tie | Main bet, Side Bets |
| Decisions | Choose one outcome | Hit, Stand, Double Down, Split, Surrender, Insurance, Side Bets |
| Strategy | Bet on Banker, Count Cards in Baccarat, Baccarat Edge Sorting, Budget Strategies | Count Cards in Blackjack, Blackjack Betting Systems, Blackjack Surrender |
Baccarat vs. Blackjack Odds, House Edge and Payouts
As you can see, playing baccarat is somewhat more straightforward, as there are limited decisions you need to make, and you are not involved in the gameplay but more of an observer. Opposed to it, in blackjack, you are directly involved in the decision process and are an active player. The way you interact with the game plays a significant role in determining these factors, and we’ll dive into the specifics of each game’s house edge, odds and RTP below.
✅ Baccarat Odds & Payouts
Here are the baccarat odds for the three possible bets offered by online casinos:
Baccarat Odds
| Player’s Hand Wins | Banker’s Hand Wins | Tie Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 44.62% | 45.86% | 9.52% |
Here are the payouts, house edge, and RTP for the three possible bets in baccarat:
| Baccarat Bets | Payout | House Edge | RTP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | 1 to 1 | 1. 24% | 98.94% |
| Banker | 1 to 1 | 1. 06% | 98.76% |
| Tie | 8 to 1 | 14.34% | 85.6% |
✅ Blackjack Odds & Payouts
Here are the blackjack odds for the possible outcomes offered by most online casinos:
Blackjack Odds (these can change based on the player’s decisions)
| Player’s Winning Odds | Dealer’s Winning Odds | Draw Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 42.22% | 49.10% | 8.48% |
Now, let’s take a look at the payouts, house edge, and RTP you get in blackjack:
| Blackjack Bet | Payout | House Edge | RTP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player Win | 1 to 1 | 0.5% (Perfect strategy) to 2% | 99.5% to 98% |
| Insurance | 2 to 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Mixed Pair | 5 to 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Colored Pair | 12 to 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Perfect Pair | 25 to 1 | N/A | N/A |
| 21 + 3 | Varied | N/A | N/A |
Here’s a comparison of the odds between baccarat and blackjack to help you understand how each game affects your chances of winning:
| Bet Game | Baccarat | Blackjack (can vary depending on cards and player decisions) |
|---|---|---|
| Player win | 44.62% | 42.22% |
| Banker win/Dealer win | 45.86% | 49.10% |
| Tie/Draw | 9.52% | 8.48% |
As you can see from the comparison table above, both baccarat and blackjack come with similar odds regarding the possible outcomes. Still, in blackjack, the player plays for themselves, and the dealer plays for the house, while in baccarat, the player is free to choose one of the three possible outcomes. It means that in baccarat, no matter how you play, you can’t lower the odds or tip them in your favor. On the other hand, in blackjack, the odds greatly vary on the cards that are dealt and the consequent decisions you make.
The Bottom Line: Which Is Better?
While both baccarat and blackjack are rooted in chance, blackjack offers players the opportunity to influence the outcome through strategy and decision-making. Baccarat, on the other hand, is purely a game of luck, where the dealer handles all aspects of the game.
Despite these differences, both games enjoy immense popularity in online casinos, each appealing to different types of players. Baccarat is often associated with high-stakes and luxury, while blackjack is favored by those seeking a more interactive and strategic gaming experience.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, as both baccarat and blackjack bring their unique qualities and challenges. Whichever you decide to play, you are in for excitement, pleasure, and a fair chance of winning. However, we must remind you to play responsibly, manage your bankroll properly, and practice safe gambling practices.
FAQs
Which Is Easier to Learn To Play: Baccarat or Blackjack?
Baccarat is somewhat easier to learn to play, as you don’t make any gameplay decisions but only choose a side to bet on: player, banker, or tie. In blackjack, you are directly involved in the gameplay, as you get to decide to hit, stand, split, double down, or surrender.
What Are the Baccarat Odds Offered at Online Casinos?
Most online casinos offer the same winning odds for baccarat, and these are 45.8% for the Banker bet, 44.6% for the Player bet, and 9.5% for a tie.
Are Baccarat and Blackjack Games Of Luck or Skill?
Both baccarat and blackjack are games of chance. Still, blackjack also requires a level of skill to master, as the player is directly involved in the gameplay decisions.
Can You Count Cards In Online Blackjack?
It is possible to count cards in online blackjack, but it can be very challenging to do. You can only count cards in live online blackjack, but online casinos use card shuffling software that shuffles the cards before every new hand is dealt, which makes card counting very challenging to do.
What Casino Game Has The Best Odds?
Generally speaking, all the casino games are stacked in favor of the house because of the built-in house edge that is in favor of the casino. Still, there are some casino games that provide better winning odds, such as table games. You can try your luck at roulette and craps, as these have nearly 50% winning odds, and blackjack is up there with a 49% chance of winning. The casino games with the worst odds are the game shows and slot games.
️