I've played a lot of BJ in Vegas and we all know how frustrating it is to get beat when you have 20 vs a dealer 21 more often than you think is statistically right....
Also pushing too often on 20.....or getting on a bad run when you are dealt 14-15-16 at an unbelievable rate..

and so on.... And the swings,,, hills and valleys.....

Haven't played Baccarat, how does it differ from BJ? Is it as volatile with hills and valleys too.... What differences.? Thanks.

 

Equally sucks to lose to a Nat 9 when you're holding 8. Or pushing on a Nat 9.

 

The variance in both games are similar. Like in BJ, there will be times when you can do no wrong and pick the right side every time and run a streak of 8-10 winners in a row. If it were better then there would be no BJ players and everyone would play bac and the casino would close within a day.

 

Biggest difference between the two games is that blackjack CAN be beaten mathematically long term to win. Baccarat CAN NOT be beaten mathematically long term but you can win within your lifetime on an upswing heater.

Another major difference is the psychological perception of Control.

In BJ- you’re betting on your own hand to win vs dealer. You don’t get a choice on betting on the dealer to win. House edge is low and your decision-making has to be optimal. You get a small edge if you’ve been keeping track of the cards and have an idea what type of cards are left in the shoe. Base on that, you raise your betting spreads hoping to take advantage. Problem is, dealer can get those cards too. When you are dealt 18’s, 19’s—there’s nothing you can do but Stay. Your fate is over when dealer gets 20’s every time. So you feel like you had NO Control over your fate.

In Bac- You can pick Banker or Player to win. The house doesn’t have an invested interest to which side wins. They make their money on various forms of commission.

The game’s appeal is that you KNOW one of the sides will win (exclude ties), and you have the freedom to pick which side it will be.

That knowledge and sense of control in deciding your fate creates for the ultimate feeling of gambling and luck.

When you lose, you can justify that you could have bet the other side and won so in a sense, it was your fault.

The game is built on that illusion and is very addictive.

The game provides you with all sorts of graphs to tell you what results came before. Casinos even provide you with paper and pen to write down and record whatever you want (they don’t let you do that in blackjack!).

This reinforces the illusion of controlling your own fate and enhances the idea of having a skillful ability to win.

Overall, makes it one of the most dangerous games around because it psychologically feeds on your perception.

 

While I avoid the wheel, isn't a single 0 wheel doing red or black basically the same? I watched it last trip for a bit (Bacc) and plan to play in a few weeks with the crew, but for those without the bank roll for the HL minimums I figured roulette would be about the same.

Those of you who have done both does it feel the same? Or does the many other bets throw you off and give you lots of squirrels?

 

Much higher HA on even a 0 wheel.

2.6% vs just over 1%.

Does go down to 1.3% on European rules.

But it feels nothing like playing bacc.

 

I find Baccarat more enjoyable. I have played a lot more BJ, but find myself shifting nowadays towards finding a midi or mini game for my bet amounts..

The main reason is I am usually playing with a group of random players at lower denom tables BJ tables.

In baccarat, no worries about a 3rd baseman hitting a 15 against a dealer 4. I also cannot play in a 6:5 21 game and not be a little pissed at the house.

Baccarat is a mind fuk most of the time when trying to finding a pattern when the shoe is choppy, but I don't have to worry about other players.

 

So starting out as a new baccarat player ( Meaning Me), how much should I bet per hand ( is that what you call it?) and what is a good table limit to seek out? I'm only setting out like $1000 to $2000 of my budget for baccarat and craps each. What table would give me the most play, as far as my betting limits?

 

Depends on your goals and strategy.

Hit and run or bust?

Play for X hours?

 

Hit and run for sure! Lol If I win I'm keeping the win!