Baccarat is a sophisticated yet deceptively simple card game. Despite its reputation for high-stakes glamour, it is essentially a game of “betting on the winner.” You aren’t playing against the dealer; you are betting on whether the Player hand or the Banker hand will end up closer to a total of 9.
What Is Baccarat?
Baccarat is a card game played between two hands: the “Player” and the “Banker.” Your goal is to predict which hand will have a total value closest to 9.
Objective of the Game
You simply place a bet on the outcome you expect:
- Player Bet: You win if the Player’s hand is closer to 9.
- Banker Bet: You win if the Banker’s hand is closer to 9.
- Tie Bet: You win if both hands have the exact same total.
Baccarat Card Values Explained
The math in Baccarat is straightforward. If a hand’s total exceeds 9, you drop the first digit (e.g., a total of 15 becomes 5).
| Card Type | Value |
| Aces | 1 point |
| 2 through 9 | Face value |
| 10, Jack, Queen, King | 0 points |
How Baccarat Is Played
- Place Bets: Before any cards are dealt, you wager on the Player, the Banker, or a Tie.
- The Deal: Two cards are dealt face-up to both the Player and the Banker.
- Natural Hands: If either hand totals an 8 or 9 on the first two cards, it is a “Natural,” and no further cards are drawn. The higher total wins.
- Third Card Rules: If neither hand is a natural, a third card may be drawn based on specific, fixed rules. Crucially, you do not make these decisions; the dealer follows the house rules automatically.
When Is a Third Card Drawn?
- Player’s Hand: If the total is 0–5, the Player draws a third card. If the total is 6 or 7, the Player stands (draws nothing).
- Banker’s Hand: The Banker’s action depends on their total and what the Player’s third card was. Because these rules are complex and dealer-managed, most players simply focus on the outcome.
Types of Baccarat Bets & Payouts
| Bet Type | House Edge | Payout |
| Banker | ~1.06% | 1:1 (minus 5% commission) |
| Player | ~1.24% | 1:1 |
| Tie | ~14.36% | 8:1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bet in Baccarat?
The Banker Bet is statistically the best bet. It has the lowest house edge (1.06%) because the drawing rules slightly favor the Banker.
Why does the Banker bet pay commission?
Because the Banker hand wins slightly more often than the Player hand, casinos charge a 5% commission on winning Banker bets to ensure the house maintains a mathematical advantage.
Can you predict Baccarat outcomes?
No. Baccarat is a game of chance. While some players track “trends” or “roadmaps” on paper, each round is independent. The cards dealt in previous rounds have no effect on future outcomes.
Tips for New Players
- Avoid the Tie: While the 8:1 payout is tempting, the house edge is enormous (~14%). It is considered the “sucker bet” of Baccarat.
- Stick to Banker or Player: These two bets offer the best odds for your money.
- Don’t worry about the rules: You never have to decide whether to hit or stand. The dealer handles every card according to the set rules.
- Set a budget: As with any casino game, determine how much you are willing to lose before you start.
Final Thought: Baccarat is one of the few casino games where the “correct” strategy is incredibly simple: bet on the Banker. Avoid the temptation of the high-payout Tie, and you’ll be playing with the best possible odds.