Baccarat Gold is one of Microgaming’s several virtual baccarat games and it is probably the most exciting one due to the additional side bets and bonus payouts of 11 times the stake. The game is played on a large baccarat table and features a complex betting layout that reminds of the physical game at brick-and-mortar casinos. In addition, it comes with elaborate animations that create a truly authentic casino atmosphere.
Rules and Gameplay
Microgaming’s Baccarat Gold uses an 8-deck shoe and the cards are shuffled before each deal. The game is based on standard baccarat rules – gamblers can place a bet on Player, Banker, and Tie, and for the winning Player or Banker bets, they receive an even payout (1:1). If the two hands tie, those who wagered on Tie are paid 8:1, while the rest of the bets are returned. Of course, there is 5% commission on winning Banker bets as in most versions of baccarat.
The cards for the Player hand are dealt first – face-down if you bet on this hand or face-up if you bet on the Banker. In fact, the Banker and the Player bets allow gamblers who have placed their chips on one of them to peek the face-down cards, to squeeze and rotate them just like in a real game in a land-based casino. No decision making is involved, however. In addition, gamblers are allowed to bet on two possible outcomes at the same time – Banker and Tie or Player and Tie, but they cannot bet on both Banker and Player in same round.
Distinctive Features
Alongside the three main bets, the game offers two side bets, which are optional and can be made together with the other wagers. With them, you can bet that the Player or the Banker hands will be pairs, i.e. if the initial two cards in any of the hands will be of the same value. It is also possible to put chips on the Player Pair and the Banker sections or even on both Pair bets.
The best thing about these side bets is that they pay 11:1, which is higher than any other bet in baccarat. Other nice options in Microgaming’s Baccarat Gold are the history panel, which shows the last 144 results, and the Roadmap, which displays the trends of winning hands. In addition, there is an useful Quick Deal feature, Auto rebet, and others.
Conclusion
Baccarat Gold by Microgaming is a fantastic virtual baccarat game and it has a house edge of 1.06%.