Baccarat in the 7U777 live casino: a first lesson for complete beginners

When you open the live casino section you'll see many table names, and baccarat is almost always among them. The name sounds heavy, but the game is actually very simple: you never have to make decisions about cards, you just pick a side. In this lesson we go step by step, like a classroom: first the core idea of the game, then the arithmetic of counting cards, and finally what each part of the screen means. Remember, this is an unofficial guide; tables, bets and balance are all only in the official lobby.

What is baccarat actually about?

The table has two "hands": one called Player and one called Banker. Beginners often think Player means you and Banker means the casino. It doesn't; these are just the names of the two sides. Before each round you guess which hand's total will end up closer to 9, or whether the two hands will be equal. Then the dealer deals the cards and the result appears.

So in baccarat your only decision is which spot to bet on and how much. Whether a card is drawn or not happens automatically by fixed rules. That makes the game easy to learn, but the result depends entirely on chance; no strategy can guarantee it.

How do you count card values?

This is the lesson's "maths class". There are just three rules:

• 2 to 9: the value is the number on the card.
• Ace (A): worth 1.
• 10, Jack, Queen, King: worth zero.

If a hand's total goes past 9, only the last digit counts and the tens digit is dropped. A few examples:

1. 7 and 6: the total is 13, so the hand is worth 3.
2. King and 9: zero plus 9, so it's worth 9.
3. Ace and 4: worth 5.
4. 8 and 2: the total is 10, so it's worth zero.

So a hand is never worth more than 9. The suit (hearts, spades and so on) plays no part in the main game. Live tables usually show each hand's total on screen, but being able to count it yourself helps you understand the game.

"Natural" and the third card: do I have to decide anything?

No, you don't decide anything. First, each hand gets two cards. Then:

• Natural: if either hand is worth 8 or 9 on its first two cards, that's called a natural. No more cards are dealt and the round ends.
• Player's third card: without a natural, if Player is worth zero to 5 it gets another card; on 6 or 7 it stands.
• Banker's third card: this rule is longer. It depends on both Banker's own total and what Player's third card was.

Beginners don't need to memorise this list. The dealer and the table system follow the rules when dealing. You just watch and try to see why a third card came or didn't; after a few rounds it becomes clear.

Player, Banker and Tie: what's the difference between the three spots?

• Player: you're guessing the Player hand will get closer to 9.
• Banker: you're guessing the Banker hand will win. At many tables a commission is taken from Banker wins or a special rule applies; the exact details are on the table's rules page.
• Tie: you're guessing both hands will be equal. Under the usual rules, bets on Player or Banker are returned on a tie, but check your own table's rules.

Many tables also have a "Pair" spot or other extra spots. We don't list payouts here because they can differ from table to table. Tapping the "rules" or "i" icon inside a table shows that table's information; read it before betting on any spot that's new to you.

What does each part of the live table screen mean?

The first time you open a table, a lot appears at once. Get to know the parts separately:

1. Video: the dealer and the cards. On a weak connection the video may freeze; what to do then is in the live casino lesson.
2. Timer: how much betting time is left. Once it runs out, you can't bet on that round.
3. Chips: round buttons for choosing your bet amount. Pick a chip, then tap the spot you want.
4. Betting spots: Player, Banker, Tie and any extra spots.
5. Results board: earlier rounds' results arranged as coloured dots or letters.
6. Balance and total bet: usually near the bottom.

One important point about the results board: it is only a record of the past. Every round is separate, and past results can't predict the next one. "Banker has come several times in a row, so Player must come now" is the most common beginner mistake.

How can you spend your first day learning just by watching?

A good student listens carefully in class before sitting the exam. You can spend your first baccarat day the same way:

1. Log in to the lobby and open a baccarat table from the live casino.
2. Watch a few rounds without betting. Each time, count both hands yourself and compare with the screen.
3. Open the table's rules page and read it, especially the Tie and extra spot sections.
4. If you want to play, decide a small amount in advance and stop when it's gone.
5. Check the promo page terms to see whether bonus money can be used at live tables; the basics are in the bonus lesson.

Baccarat is a game for entertainment, not a way to earn. Don't raise your bets to win back losses. To set time and money limits, see the responsible play lesson.

See the tables in the lobby's live casino

This is an unofficial guide, not the official site. Tables, bets and balance are only in the official lobby. For adults 18+ only.