The Differences Between Blackjack and Baccarat

Here at Spin Palace casino players can access and play all the latest card and table games from around the world. For many players though, the two top games to play online are Blackjack and Baccarat.

For those who are new to the world of online gambling, you might be wondering what the main differences are between the two games. In the notes below, we are going to examine how the game works and the main differences between these two action-packed games.

The Aim of Each Game

In both Blackjack and Baccarat, the aim of the game is to beat the dealer by creating the highest hand possible using the cards you have been dealt. Each card is worth a certain number of points. All numbered cards 2 through to 10 are worth their face value while the Jack, Queen and King are worth 10 points. In Blackjack the ace is either worth 1 point or 11 points, while in Baccarat, the ace is only worth a single point.

Totalling Your Points

Calculating your point total is simple in Blackjack while Baccarat has a more obscure way of point counting. In Baccarat, the total number of the two cards is added together and then the first digit is dropped. So if you are dealt a 5 and an 8, the total will be 13. When you drop the first digit, the point total is three.

More Betting Options in Baccarat

The biggest difference between the two games is the betting options. In Blackjack, a player is betting on themselves to win. In Baccarat, there are three betting options. A player can either choose to bet on themselves to win, on the dealer to win or on a tie. The three betting options chances the whole dynamic of the game with a tie bet paying out 9:1.

Winning a Hand

Finally, the aim of Blackjack is to get as close to 21 points without going over 21, and beating the dealer’s hand. This can be done with just two cards or multiple cards. In Baccarat, the aim is simply to get a higher score than the dealer with the highest being 9.

If either the player or the dealer has a natural hand (a two card hand of 8 or 9) they win the round straight off. In Baccarat, both the player and the dealer can take a third card according to specific third card rules. In the online version of the game, the computer will automatically play a third card if needed.