What Is Baccarat?
Baccarat is a card comparing game played between two hands — the Player and the Banker. Despite what movies might suggest, it's one of the simplest casino games to learn: you don't need strategy or skill to play, just a bet and a bit of luck. The goal is to predict which hand will have a total closest to 9.
How the Cards Are Valued
- Aces = 1 point
- Cards 2–9 = face value
- 10s, Jacks, Queens, Kings = 0 points
If a hand's total exceeds 9, only the second digit counts. So a hand of 7 + 8 = 15 counts as 5. This is called modulo-10 scoring.
The Three Bets You Can Make
- Player Bet: You bet the Player hand wins. Pays 1:1 (even money).
- Banker Bet: You bet the Banker hand wins. Pays 1:1 minus a 5% commission. Despite the commission, this is statistically the best bet.
- Tie Bet: You bet both hands tie. Pays 8:1 or 9:1, but carries a significantly higher house edge — generally not recommended for consistent play.
How a Round Plays Out
- Players place their bets on Player, Banker, or Tie.
- Two cards are dealt face-up to both the Player and Banker.
- If either hand totals 8 or 9 (a "natural"), the game ends immediately — that hand wins.
- If no natural, drawing rules determine whether a third card is dealt to either hand.
- The hand closest to 9 wins.
Understanding the Third Card Rule
The third card rules are automatic — neither you nor the dealer makes a judgment call. Here's a simplified version:
| Hand | Total After 2 Cards | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Player | 0–5 | Draws a third card |
| Player | 6–7 | Stands |
| Player | 8–9 | Natural — no more cards |
| Banker | 0–2 | Always draws |
| Banker | 3–6 | Draws depending on Player's third card |
| Banker | 7–9 | Stands or Natural |
House Edge at a Glance
- Banker bet: ~1.06% house edge (after commission)
- Player bet: ~1.24% house edge
- Tie bet: ~14%+ house edge — avoid for regular play
Tips for New Baccarat Players
- Stick to the Banker bet for the best long-term odds.
- Set a session budget before you start and don't exceed it.
- Ignore pattern cards (scorecards tracking previous results) — past outcomes don't predict future ones in a random game.
- Avoid the Tie bet unless you're playing purely for excitement with a small portion of your bankroll.
- Play at lower minimum tables while learning to keep stakes comfortable.
Why Baccarat Is Perfect for Beginners
Unlike poker or blackjack, baccarat requires no complex decisions after placing your bet. It's elegant, fast-paced, and carries one of the lowest house edges of any casino game. For beginners seeking a straightforward, low-stress entry into table games, baccarat is hard to beat.