How to play Baccarat

When you think of casino games that radiate elegance and glamour, there is a strong chance that Baccarat comes to mind. This game has been synonymous for decades with high stakes, luxury salons, and secret agents such as James Bond, who played it with style on the big screen.

Because of this reputation, many beginners feel a sense of awe, believing that it is a complicated game reserved only for experienced players. The truth, however, is completely different. Baccarat is, at its core, one of the simplest casino games. It does not require any special skill or complex strategy; it is a game of pure guessing with only three possible outcomes. It is precisely this simplicity, wrapped in an aura of sophistication, that makes it attractive to millions of players around the world.

If you have ever wondered how to play Baccarat and wanted to step into the world of this classic game, you are in the right place. This guide will break down all the myths and walk you, step by step, through everything you need to know so that your first Baccarat game is fun and confident.

Game objective – simplicity is the key

The basic objective of Baccarat is extremely simple: you need to place a bet on the hand that you believe will have a total card value closest to 9.

Before the dealer deals the cards, you, as a player, place a bet on one of three possible outcomes:

• Player: You bet that the Player hand will be closer to 9.

• Banker: You bet that the Banker hand will be closer to 9.

• Tie: You bet that the Player and Banker hands will have the same value.

It is important to note that you are not playing your own hand against the dealer. “Player” and “Banker” are simply the names of the two hands that are dealt in each round. You are an observer who bets on the outcome.

Card values in Baccarat

Scoring points in Baccarat differs from most other card games, but the rule is very easy to remember.

• Ace (A): worth 1 point.

• Cards from 2 to 9: worth the number of points shown on the card.

• 10, Jack (J), Queen (Q), and King (K): worth 0 points.

When adding up the value of a hand, only the last digit is counted. For example, if a hand receives cards 7 and 8, the total is 15. In Baccarat, the first digit is ignored, so the value of that hand is 5. If a hand receives a King (0) and a 6 (6), its value is 6. The best possible hand is one with a total of 9.

Flow of a Baccarat round

Each round follows strictly defined rules, which makes the game fast and easy to follow.

• Placing the bet: Before the cards are dealt, you choose whether to bet on Player, Banker, or Tie.

• Dealing the cards: The dealer deals two cards face up to both the Player hand and the Banker hand.

• Declaring a “Natural”: If the total of the first two cards of either the Player or the Banker is 8 or 9 (called a “natural”), the round ends immediately. The hand with the higher value wins.

Third card rule: If neither the Player nor the Banker has a “natural,” the game continues according to the strict “third card rule,” which determines whether an additional card is dealt.

The third card rule

This is the only part of the game that may seem confusing, but the good news is that you, as a player, do not need to memorize it. The dealer automatically applies the rules. However, understanding them will help you better see why certain rounds unfold in a specific way.

Rules for the player hand

If the total of the Player’s first two cards is between 0 and 5, the Player always draws a third card. If the total is 6 or 7, the Player stands.

Rules for the banker hand

The rules for the Banker are slightly more complex because they depend on whether the Player has drawn a third card and which card it was. If the Player did not draw a third card (had 6 or 7), then the Banker draws a third card only if the Banker’s total is between 0 and 5.

If the Player did draw a third card, the Banker draws or stands according to the following rules:

• Banker has 0, 1, or 2: Always draws a third card.

• Banker has 3: Draws a third card unless the Player’s third card was an 8.

• Banker has 4: Draws a third card if the Player’s third card was 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.

• Banker has 5: Draws a third card if the Player’s third card was 4, 5, 6, or 7.

• Banker has 6: Draws a third card only if the Player’s third card was 6 or 7.

• Banker has 7: Always stands.

Payouts and house edge

Payouts in Baccarat are very straightforward and are one of the main advantages of this game, as the house edge is extremely low compared to other games.

• Player bet: Pays out at odds of 1:1. The house edge is approximately 1.24%.

• Banker bet: Pays out at 1:1, but a 5% commission is taken on the winnings. This means the actual payout is 0.95:1. Despite the commission, this is statistically the best bet, with a house edge of only 1.06%.

• Tie bet: Usually pays out 8:1 (sometimes 9:1), but carries the highest risk. The house edge is over 14%, which is why experienced players generally avoid it.

Baccarat and other casino games

The beauty of Baccarat lies in its simplicity and low house edge. Unlike games that require learning complex rules, such as how to play roulette with all its inside and outside bets, Baccarat offers elegant simplicity with only three choices.

Although betting strategies such as the Martingale system exist, it is important to remember that they do not guarantee winnings and that every Baccarat game is based purely on chance.

A game for everyone

Baccarat is no longer a game reserved only for the elite. Thanks to online casinos, it is available to everyone and represents a perfect blend of excitement and simplicity. Now that you know the rules, understand card values, and are familiar with the three main bets, you are ready to try your luck.

Forget complicated strategies, place a bet on Banker or Player, sit back, and enjoy one of the most elegant games a casino has to offer.