What Is Baccarat?
Baccarat is a simple comparing card game played between two hands: the Player and the Banker. Players bet on which hand will have a total closest to 9. Despite the name, you can bet on either side — the "Player" bet doesn't mean you're the player. The game requires no skill or decisions; just place your bet and watch the cards unfold. With a 1.06% house edge on the Banker bet, baccarat offers some of the best odds in the casino.
Basic Baccarat Rules — How to Play
📋 Step 1: Place Your Bet
Before cards are dealt, choose one of three bets:
- Player: Bet on the Player's hand to win
- Banker: Bet on the Banker's hand to win (best bet)
- Tie: Bet on both hands having the same total (avoid this bet)
📋 Step 2: Cards Are Dealt
Two cards are dealt to the Player position and two to the Banker position. The dealer handles all cards — you don't make decisions about drawing.
📋 Step 3: Calculate Hand Values
Card values are simple:
- Aces: 1 point
- 2 through 9: Face value (2 = 2 points, 9 = 9 points)
- 10s, Jacks, Queens, Kings: 0 points
- Total: Add cards, drop the tens digit. Example: 7+8=15 → value 5
📋 Step 4: Natural Win
If either hand totals 8 or 9 (called a "natural"), no more cards are drawn. The hand with the higher total wins. If both have 8 or 9, it's a tie (unless one is higher).
📋 Step 5: Third Card Rules (Automatic)
If no natural occurs, third card rules determine if the Player or Banker draws. You don't need to memorize these — the dealer handles everything automatically. However, here's how it works:
The Third Card Rule — Simplified
| Player Hand Total | Player Action |
|---|---|
| 0-5 | Player draws a third card |
| 6-7 | Player stands (no draw) |
| 8-9 | Natural — game ends |
🎯 Banker Third Card Rule (After Player Draws)
The Banker's decision depends on the Player's third card:
- Banker 0-2: Always draws
- Banker 3: Draws unless Player's third card is 8
- Banker 4: Draws if Player's third card is 2-7
- Banker 5: Draws if Player's third card is 4-7
- Banker 6: Draws if Player's third card is 6-7
- Banker 7: Always stands
- Banker 8-9: Natural — game ends
Baccarat Bets — Payouts & House Edge
| Bet | Payout | House Edge | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banker | 1:1 (minus 5% commission) | 1.06% | ✅ Best bet — always choose this |
| Player | 1:1 (no commission) | 1.24% | ✅ Good — acceptable alternative |
| Tie | 8:1 or 9:1 | 14.36% | ❌ Never bet — terrible odds |
⚠️ NEVER BET TIE
The Tie bet has a massive 14.36% house edge — one of the worst bets in any casino. Even though it pays 8:1 or 9:1, the odds are heavily stacked against you. Stick to Banker or Player for the best chance to win.
No Commission Baccarat — Simplified Payouts
No Commission Baccarat removes the 5% commission on Banker wins. Instead, Banker wins on 6 pay 1:2 (half). This variant is popular because payouts are simpler:
| Bet | Standard Baccarat | No Commission |
|---|---|---|
| Banker Win | 1:1 minus 5% | 1:1 (except Banker 6 pays 1:2) |
| Banker Edge | 1.06% | 1.46% |
| Player Edge | 1.24% | 1.24% |
Baccarat Card Values — Quick Reference
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 |
| 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 | Face value (2 = 2, 9 = 9) |
| 10, Jack, Queen, King | 0 |
Baccarat Variants — What's Available
- Standard Baccarat: Traditional game with 5% commission on Banker wins
- No Commission Baccarat: Banker 6 pays 1:2 instead of 5% commission
- Speed Baccarat: Faster rounds (20-25 seconds)
- Squeeze Baccarat: Cards are revealed slowly for dramatic effect
- Lightning Baccarat: Random multipliers up to 8x on winning bets
Where to Play Baccarat Online
Find baccarat at these top US-friendly casinos:
More Resources
- Baccarat Strategy Guide → — Advanced betting tips
- Baccarat vs Craps → — Which game is better?
- Other Games FAQ → — Common questions answered
- Other Games Glossary → — Key terms explained
