What Is Baccarat?
Baccarat is one of the oldest and most elegant card games in the world, popular in casinos across Asia and Europe. Despite its sophisticated reputation, it's actually one of the simplest card games to learn. There are no complex decisions mid-hand — your job is simply to bet on one of three outcomes.
The Objective of Baccarat
The goal is to bet on which hand — the Player or the Banker — will have a point total closest to 9. You can also bet on a Tie. Note that "Player" and "Banker" are just labels for the two hands dealt; you can bet on either regardless of your seat.
Card Values in Baccarat
| Card | Point Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 point |
| 2 through 9 | Face value |
| 10, Jack, Queen, King | 0 points |
If the total of two cards exceeds 9, only the second digit counts. For example, a 7 and an 8 total 15, which counts as 5.
How a Round of Baccarat Is Played
- Players place their bets on Player, Banker, or Tie.
- The dealer deals two cards to both the Player hand and the Banker hand.
- A third card may be drawn based on fixed drawing rules (no player decision required).
- The hand closest to 9 wins. Winning Player bets pay even money (1:1). Winning Banker bets pay even money minus a 5% commission. Tie bets typically pay 8:1.
The Third Card Rules
The third card drawing rules are automatic and predetermined — you don't choose whether to draw.
Player Third Card Rule
- If Player total is 0–5: draws a third card
- If Player total is 6 or 7: stands
- If Player total is 8 or 9 (natural): stands, no more cards dealt
Banker Third Card Rule
The Banker's draw depends on both its own total and whether the Player drew a third card. The rules are complex but handled automatically by the dealer — as a player, you don't need to memorize them.
Which Bet Should You Make?
Here's a quick comparison of the three bets:
| Bet | Approximate House Edge | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Banker | ~1.06% | Best bet — lowest house edge |
| Player | ~1.24% | Good alternative |
| Tie | ~14.4% | Avoid — very high house edge |
The Banker bet is mathematically the best choice in standard baccarat. Even accounting for the 5% commission on wins, it offers the lowest house edge of any bet at the table.
Common Baccarat Myths
- Myth: Tracking patterns helps. Each round is independent. Scorecards showing previous results have no predictive value.
- Myth: Tie bets are worthwhile for the high payout. The payout doesn't compensate for the extreme house edge.
- Myth: Card counting works in baccarat. Unlike blackjack, the edge gained from counting in baccarat is negligible and impractical.
Final Tips for New Players
- Stick primarily to the Banker bet
- Set a session budget and stick to it
- Avoid the Tie bet in most situations
- Learn the natural (8 or 9) rules — they end rounds immediately
Baccarat is a game of chance with simple rules and some of the best odds in the casino. Understanding the fundamentals puts you ahead of most casual players.