What is the Baccarat Game?

Baccarat is one of the simplest games to play in a casino because it doesn’t require any decision-making during the hand. Your role is to decide which hand (Player, Banker, or Tie) you want to bet on, and then the game plays out with predefined rules. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, Baccarat can be exciting due to its fast pace and relatively low house edge for certain bets.

Baccarat Rules

Card Values

• Aces are worth 1 point.
• Cards 2–9 are worth their face value.
• 10, Jack, Queen, and King are worth 0 points.

How Scores Work?

• The total score of each hand is determined by adding up the values of the cards.
• If the total exceeds 9, only the second digit of the total is kept (i.e., the score is modulo 10). For example, if you have a 7 and a 6, the total is 13, but you would count it as a 3 (the second digit of 13).
• So, possible scores are 0 to 9.

How to play baccarat?

• Two hands are dealt: one for the “Player” and one for the “Banker.”
• Each hand receives two cards face-up. Based on the total value of the initial two cards, sometimes a third card may be drawn (following a set of predefined rules).
• No player decisions (like in blackjack) are involved — the game is purely determined by the initial hands and the third card rule.

Drawing the Third Card
There are strict rules about when a third card is drawn for either hand:

• Player Hand: If the Player’s total is 0-5, they will draw a third card. If the Player’s total is 6 or 7, they stand. If it’s 8 or 9, the Player wins automatically (Natural).
• Banker Hand: The Banker follows a set of rules for drawing a third card based on the Player’s total. For example:
  • If the Banker has 0–2, they draw a third card.
  • If the Banker has 3, they draw unless the Player’s third card is an 8.
  • If the Banker has 4, they draw if the Player’s third card is 2-7.
  • If the Banker has 5, they draw if the Player’s third card is 4-7.
  • If the Banker has 6, they draw if the Player’s third card is 6 or 7.
  • If the Banker has 7, they stand.

There are no strategic decisions for players to make during the game; it’s all about the card values and the third card rule.

How to win baccarat for sure?

1. Best Bet: Statistically, the Banker bet is the best because the Banker hand wins slightly more than the Player hand. Although the Banker bet has a 5% commission, it’s still the most favorable.
2. Avoid Tie Bets: While a Tie bet offers high payouts (8:1 or 9:1), it’s much less likely to occur. The house edge on Tie bets is much higher, making them the least favorable option in terms of probability.
3. Managing Bankroll: As with any casino game, setting a budget and managing your bankroll carefully is important. Baccarat has a low house edge for the Player and Banker bets, but it’s still important to be aware of the odds and the fact that no bet is a “sure thing.”

Baccarat Odds

• Player Bet:
  • You bet on the “Player” hand winning.
  • Pays 1:1 (you win the amount of your bet).

• Banker Bet
  • You bet on the “Banker” hand winning.
  • Pays 1:1, but most casinos take a 5% commission on Banker wins. (So, if you win a $100 bet, you’ll get $95 after the commission.)
• Tie Bet
  • You bet that both the Player’s and the Banker’s hands will have the same total value.
  • Pays 8:1 or sometimes 9:1 depending on the casino.