What Is Baccarat?
Baccarat is a classic casino card game that has surged in popularity — particularly online. Despite its reputation as a high-roller game, baccarat is actually one of the simplest casino games to play. There are no complex decisions to make; you simply bet on one of three outcomes and watch the hand play out. Yet it also offers one of the lowest house edges at the casino table.
The Basic Objective
In baccarat, two hands are dealt — the Player hand and the Banker hand. Your job is to bet on which hand will have a total closer to 9. You can also bet on a Tie. Note that "Player" and "Banker" are just labels — they don't represent you or the casino specifically.
Card Values in Baccarat
- Aces: Worth 1 point.
- Cards 2–9: Face value.
- 10s and Face Cards (J, Q, K): Worth 0 points.
If a hand total exceeds 9, only the second digit counts. Example: A hand of 7 + 8 = 15, which counts as 5.
How a Round Is Dealt
- Players place bets on Player, Banker, or Tie.
- Two cards are dealt face up to both the Player hand and the Banker hand.
- Depending on the totals, a third card may be drawn automatically based on fixed drawing rules.
- The hand closest to 9 wins. Banker wins are paid at even money minus a 5% commission; Player wins pay even money.
The Third Card Rule (Simplified)
You don't need to memorize this — it happens automatically — but here's the basic rule:
- If either hand totals 8 or 9 (a "natural"), no more cards are drawn and that hand wins or ties.
- If the Player total is 5 or less, the Player draws a third card.
- The Banker's draw depends on the Banker total and, in some cases, the Player's third card.
The Three Bets Compared
| Bet | Payout | House Edge | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banker | 1:1 (minus 5% commission) | ~1.06% | ✅ Best bet |
| Player | 1:1 | ~1.24% | ✅ Good bet |
| Tie | 8:1 or 9:1 | ~14%+ | ❌ Avoid |
The Banker bet is statistically the best choice, even after the 5% commission is factored in. The Tie bet, while offering an attractive payout, carries a very high house edge and should generally be avoided.
Baccarat Strategy Tips
Stick to Banker (Mostly)
The simplest and most effective approach is to consistently bet on the Banker. Over time, the Banker hand wins slightly more than the Player hand due to the drawing rules.
Ignore Patterns and "Roads"
Many baccarat tables display scorecards showing previous results (called "roads"). While these are interesting to track, past results have no influence on future outcomes — each hand is independent. Don't make betting decisions based on streaks.
Set a Session Limit
Because baccarat moves quickly, your bankroll can diminish faster than in slower games. Set a loss limit and a win goal for every session, and stick to them.
Avoid Side Bets
Most baccarat tables offer side bets like "Player Pair" or "Banker Pair." These typically carry a much higher house edge than the main bets and should be treated with caution.
Why Baccarat Is Worth Learning
Baccarat requires no strategy decisions during play — the drawing rules are fixed. This makes it ideal for beginners who want a low-complexity, low-house-edge game. Combine it with solid bankroll management and you have a genuinely enjoyable, low-pressure casino experience.