What Is Baccarat?
Baccarat is one of the oldest and most popular card games in the casino world. Despite its reputation for exclusivity, the rules are surprisingly simple — making it one of the most accessible games for new players to learn. The core objective is to bet on which of two hands — the Player or the Banker — will have a total closest to 9.
Understanding the Card Values
Baccarat uses a unique card-value system that differs from most other card games:
- Aces are worth 1 point.
- Cards 2–9 are worth their face value.
- 10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 0 points.
When the total of a hand exceeds 9, only the second digit counts. For example, a hand of 7 + 6 = 13, so the hand value is 3.
The Three Betting Options
Before any cards are dealt, players choose from three betting positions:
- Player Bet: You win if the Player hand is closer to 9. Pays 1:1.
- Banker Bet: You win if the Banker hand is closer to 9. Pays 1:1, minus a 5% commission on winnings (this is standard at most casinos).
- Tie Bet: You win if both hands have the same total. Pays 8:1 or 9:1 depending on the casino. This bet carries a significantly higher house edge.
How a Baccarat Round Works
Here's a step-by-step breakdown of a standard round:
- Players place their bets on Player, Banker, or Tie.
- Two cards are dealt face-up to both the Player and Banker positions.
- If either hand totals 8 or 9 (called a "natural"), no more cards are drawn and the hand with the higher total wins.
- If no natural is dealt, a third card may be drawn based on fixed drawing rules (the "tableau").
- The hand closest to 9 wins. Winning bets are paid out accordingly.
The Third-Card Rule Simplified
The decision to draw a third card is automatic and governed by set rules — players don't make this choice themselves.
- Player draws a third card if their total is 0–5. They stand on 6 or 7.
- Banker's drawing rule is more complex and depends on both the Banker's total and the Player's third card value. In practice, the software or dealer handles this automatically.
House Edge Comparison
| Bet Type | House Edge (Approximate) | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Banker Bet | ~1.06% | Best value overall |
| Player Bet | ~1.24% | Good alternative |
| Tie Bet | ~14.4% | High risk — avoid for value play |
Popular Baccarat Variants
Online casinos often offer several baccarat variations worth knowing:
- Punto Banco: The most common version; what most people mean when they say "baccarat."
- Mini Baccarat: Same rules on a smaller table, typically with lower betting limits.
- Squeeze Baccarat: A live-dealer variant where cards are slowly revealed for dramatic effect.
- Lightning Baccarat: An Evolution Gaming variant with random multipliers applied to winning hands.
Summary
Baccarat is a game of chance with minimal decision-making required from the player. Your primary strategic choice is simply which bet to place. Understanding the house edge on each bet type is the most important piece of knowledge you can carry into any baccarat session.