What Is Baccarat?
Baccarat is one of the most popular table games in both land-based and online casinos. Despite its glamorous reputation, it is actually one of the simplest games to play — the dealer handles almost everything, and your only real decision is which outcome to bet on before the hand begins.
The goal of baccarat is to predict which of two hands — the Player or the Banker — will have a total closest to 9. You can also bet that the result will be a Tie.
Card Values in Baccarat
Baccarat uses a unique point system that differs from most card games:
- Aces are worth 1 point
- Cards 2 through 9 are worth their face value
- 10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 0 points
If a hand's total exceeds 9, only the second digit counts. For example, a hand totalling 15 is worth 5 points.
The Three Main Bets
| Bet | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Banker | 1:1 (minus 5% commission) | ~1.06% |
| Player | 1:1 | ~1.24% |
| Tie | 8:1 | ~14.4% |
The Banker bet carries the lowest house edge, making it statistically the most favourable wager over time. The Tie bet offers a tempting payout but should generally be avoided due to its high house edge.
How a Round Is Played
- Players place their bets on Player, Banker, or Tie.
- The dealer deals two cards each to the Player hand and the Banker hand.
- Depending on the totals, a third card may be drawn according to fixed rules — no player decisions are involved.
- The hand closest to 9 wins. Winning bets are paid out accordingly.
The Third Card Rule
The drawing of a third card in baccarat is governed by a strict set of rules that the dealer follows automatically:
- If either hand totals 8 or 9 (a "natural"), no further cards are drawn.
- If the Player hand totals 5 or less, the Player draws a third card.
- The Banker drawing rules are more complex and depend on the Banker's total and the Player's third card.
As a player, you do not need to memorise these rules — they are enforced automatically at every table.
Baccarat Variants
Several variants of baccarat exist across different casinos:
- Punto Banco — The most common form, where outcomes are purely card-driven.
- Mini Baccarat — A smaller table version with lower betting limits, ideal for beginners.
- Chemin de Fer — A European version where players take turns being the Banker.
- Live Dealer Baccarat — The online version streamed in real time with a human dealer.
Key Takeaways
Baccarat is a game of chance with no complex strategy required. Your best approach is to consistently bet on the Banker, manage your bankroll carefully, and avoid the Tie bet. Understanding the rules and odds puts you in a much stronger position before you sit down at the table.