Baccarat rules

December 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Baccarat has always been one of those games that is considered to be somewhat exclusive, given that it is usually played in private rooms, all of which are guarded by burly looking men in tuxedos with ear pieces clearly visible. It has always had the appearance of being a game for the rich and privileged, where the average player wasn’t really welcome, and as such was somewhat ignored by most casino players.

That changed with the arrival of online casinos such as our own Llanbikefest, and now players from all over the world can finally get to see what all the fuss is about without the bodyguards. What came as a surprise to most was that the game was relatively easy to play and learn, and in fact only has 3 possible bets (banker, player, and tie). It is actually a little similar to blackjack, which gave it an instant spike in popularity once it hit the online casino scene.

The rules are pretty straightforward, with the object of the game to get as close to 9 as possible with the cards you are dealt. The bet is placed, opting for one of the three choices, and then the player and banker are dealt 2 cards each. Face cards and 10’s have no value, cards less than 10 are counted at face value and Aces are worth 1.

A combination that results in a double digit total sees the left number dropped (e.g. 17 is actually counted as 7), and if the total is 8 or 9 then the hand is over as that is considered a “natural”.

If the player draws a 5 or less then they get a 3rd card, and if more than 5 the banker stands on 6 or higher, and draws on 5 or less based on these possible scenarios:

  • If the bank’s total is 2 or less then bank draws a card, regardless of what the player’s third card is.
  • If the banks total is 3 then the bank draws a third card unless the players third card was an 8.
  • If the banks total is 4 then the bank draws a third card unless the players third card was a 0, 1, 8, or 9.
  • If the banks total is 5 then the bank draws a third card if the players third card was 4, 5, 6, or 7.
  • If the banks total is 6 then the bank draws a third card if the players third card was a 6 or 7.
  • If the banks total is 7 then the bank stands.

And that is the basic rules of baccarat which, as you can see, does not hold a very steep learning curve, so be sure to give it a try the next time you visit Llanbikefest.

 

 

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Baccarat techniques

December 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

While baccarat has always been one of the less accessible of the games in the casino, it has actually gained a fair bit of popularity, in large part due to the major success of online casinos like Llanbikefest. The game has moved away from private rooms behind velvet ropes, and into the living rooms of regular casino players, which has gone a long way to removing much of the mystique that has always surrounded it.

What may be the most surprising to those that have never been previously exposed to baccarat is that it is a fairly uncomplicated game to play, with actually only 3 bets available on any given hand; player, banker and tie.

The one thing that baccarat has in common with just about every other game is that players constantly try to find angles or strategies that will improve their odds of winning. Card counting is one technique that has always had a place at the tables, although it’s a method that is not necessarily embraced by the gambling industry. The feeling is that baccarat is a game that does not really benefit from card counting, and the proof of that may be in the fact that casinos will oftentimes provide players with scorecards to keep track of every bet, a method that is known as chasing.

If the casino really believed that counting would give the player an advantage over the house, you can bet that those scorecards would be gone in a minute.

Anyone who has had experience playing the game will tell you that the best way to play the odds in baccarat is to simply bet the banker each and every hand. It may seem like you are betting against yourself, but the fact is that you are simply making the smartest of the 3 bets available every time. Like any game that is unfamiliar to you, it’s smart to learn the bets, odds and terminology before jumping in.

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Reasons to play

November 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

With so many online casinos now operating on the internet, it’s tough for the average player to decide where they should deposit their gambling dollars, and when I look at what’s available here at Llanbikefest, I have to wonder why anyone would ever consider playing anywhere else.

  • It all begins with the bonus offered by the casino, and it has to be said that PP’s 1500 free spins for new players is tough to match.
  • Llanbikefest is where you will find the best casino software, powered by Microgaming, the elite when it comes to games.
  • The number of banking options at PP is second to none, and the ability to play in multiple currencies makes it a true global casino.
  • There are multiple ways to play, including a full download casino, an instant play version that allows you to log in from any computer, and now mobile versions for players on the go.
  • New promotions are always popping up at PP, and players should check to see what valuable promos are available every time they log in.
  • You can now play, head to head, against players from all over the world in the exciting International Slots League.
  • PP offers a stunning rewards programme that rewards players for the loyalty, and can mean free casino credits, win or lose.
  • Llanbikefest also has poker and bingo games available for their players, both of which have very cool new player bonuses.
  • There are an incredible number of games available at PP, and just playing all the different slot machine options could take you weeks.
  • Last, but by no means least, Llanbikefest operate under the eCogra seal of approval, which means that players can be sure that their time in the casino will be safe and secure, as well as fair.

I can’t think of any other casino that can match that list of positives, and that’s why I’ll continue to get my casino kicks at Llanbikefest.

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Having a punt

October 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Betting, or punting as it’s sometimes known, in the UK is big business, and that’s thanks in large part to the number of betting shops (bookies) that line the streets of every city and town in the UK. There’s no doubt that football and horse racing are the most lucrative sports for the bookies, and the variety of bets that are available for a single game or race are pretty amazing.

If you fancy a punt on a football match, then you can select everything from final score, to first goal scorer, to the exact minute when that first goal goes in. Those bets become even more elaborate when major competitions like the World Cup roll around.

The same applies to horse racing, and if you have never set foot inside a betting shop in the UK, then you really don’t know what you are missing. There are odds and past performances pinned to the walls around the shop, all organized by track or event. Look around and you’ll see a bunch of punters hunched over, studying the odds with a tiny little pencil stuck behind their ears for when they are ready to fill out their betting slip.

There’s the yelling and screaming of the bettors who already have money riding on a race, getting fired up as their horse comes barrelling round the final turn. Some of the older shops feel like buildings lost in time, the scent of old cigarettes hanging in the air, and burned into the walls of the place, but it’s all part of the great British gambling tradition.

The Brits also love their pub slots, and there are plenty of those to be found here at Llanbikefest, so why not have a punt on one of our classic 3 reel slot games.

Filed Under: Casino games, Casino news Tagged With: , ,

Having a punt

October 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Betting, or punting as it’s sometimes known, in the UK is big business, and that’s thanks to the number of betting shops (bookies) that line the streets of every city and town in the UK. There’s no doubt that football and horse racing are the most lucrative sports for the bookies, and the variety of bets that are available for a single game or race are pretty amazing.

If you fancy a punt on a football match, then you can select everything from final score, to first goal scorer, to the exact minute when that first goal goes in. Those bets become even more elaborate when major competitions like the World Cup roll around.

The same applies to horse racing, and if you have never set foot inside a betting shop in the UK, then you really don’t know what you are missing. There are odds and past performances pinned to the walls around the shop, all organized by track or event. Look around and you’ll see a bunch of punters hunched over, studying the odds with a tiny little pencil stuck behind their ears for when they are ready to fill out their betting slip.

There’s the yelling and screaming of the bettors who already have money riding on a race, getting fired up as their horse comes barrelling round the final turn. Some of the older shops feel like buildings lost in time, the scent of old cigarettes hanging in the air, and burned into the walls of the place, but it’s all part of the great British gambling tradition.

The Brits also love their pub slots, and there are plenty of those to be found here at Llanbikefest, so why not have a punt on one of our classic 3 reel slot games.

Filed Under: Casino news, Uncategorized Tagged With: ,