What Is Baccarat?
Baccarat is a comparing card game played between two hands: the Player and the Banker. Despite the formal names, you're not playing as either — you're simply betting on which hand will finish closer to a value of 9, or whether the result will be a tie. This simplicity is one of baccarat's biggest appeals.
The game is especially popular in Asian casino markets and has grown significantly in the online casino world, with live dealer baccarat now among the most-streamed table game formats.
Card Values in Baccarat
Baccarat uses its own card value system:
- Aces: Worth 1
- Cards 2–9: Face value
- 10s and Face cards (Jack, Queen, King): Worth 0
Hand values are calculated by adding card values and taking only the units digit. A hand of 7 and 8 totals 15 — but in baccarat, the hand value is 5. You cannot bust in baccarat.
The Three Bet Types
Before cards are dealt, players choose from three bets:
1. Player Bet
You're betting the Player hand will win. Pays 1:1 (even money) with no commission. The house edge on this bet is approximately 1.24%.
2. Banker Bet
You're betting the Banker hand will win. Pays 1:1 but with a 5% commission deducted on wins (so effectively 0.95:1). Despite the commission, this is statistically the best bet in baccarat — the house edge is approximately 1.06%.
3. Tie Bet
You're betting both hands finish with the same value. Typically pays 8:1 or 9:1. The house edge on this bet is significantly higher — usually above 14%. Most experienced baccarat players avoid the Tie bet.
How a Round Plays Out
- Players place bets on Player, Banker, or Tie.
- Two cards are dealt to the Player hand, two to the Banker hand.
- If either hand totals 8 or 9 (a "natural"), that hand wins immediately — no further cards are drawn.
- If no natural, a third card may be drawn for the Player or Banker according to fixed drawing rules.
- The hand closest to 9 wins.
The Third Card Rule (Simplified)
You don't need to memorise drawing rules to play — the dealer handles everything automatically. But here's a simplified overview:
- Player draws a third card if their initial total is 0–5; stands on 6 or 7.
- Banker's drawing rule depends on both their total and whether the Player drew a third card. The full banker drawing table is built into the game software.
Baccarat Strategy: What Actually Works
Baccarat is a game of chance — cards are drawn according to fixed rules, and players make no decisions that affect the hand outcome. Strategy in baccarat is almost entirely about bet selection and bankroll management.
Stick to the Banker Bet
The Banker bet has the lowest house edge of any standard casino table bet — approximately 1.06%. Even with the 5% commission, it outperforms the Player bet over time. Consistently betting Banker is the soundest single piece of baccarat advice.
Avoid the Tie Bet
The Tie bet's high house edge makes it a poor long-term choice regardless of the payout. Treat it as entertainment, not strategy.
Manage Your Bankroll
Set a clear session budget. Baccarat rounds resolve quickly, and fast-paced play can deplete a bankroll faster than players anticipate. Consider setting a win target and a stop-loss limit before each session.
Baccarat Variants You'll Encounter Online
- Punto Banco: The standard version played in most online casinos.
- Mini Baccarat: Faster, lower-stakes version with the same rules.
- Lightning Baccarat: A live dealer variant with random multipliers applied to select card values — adds excitement but increases house edge.
- Squeeze Baccarat: A live format where cards are revealed slowly for dramatic effect.
Baccarat's combination of simple rules, fast gameplay, and a genuinely low house edge on the Banker bet makes it one of the most player-friendly games in any online casino. Learning the basics takes minutes — and there's very little standing between understanding the game and playing it confidently.