How to Play Baccarat: Rules, Odds and Tips

Baccarat has a reputation as a high roller’s game, but it is one of the easiest casino games to play. You do not make decisions about your cards – you simply bet on which of two hands, the Player or the Banker, will finish closer to nine, or on a tie. The cards are then dealt by fixed rules.

It also has one of the lowest house edges in the casino. Here is everything you need to get started.

• Aces count as 1.
• Cards 2 to 9 count at face value.
• 10s, Jacks, Queens and Kings count as 0.

Only the last digit of the total counts. A 7 and an 8 make 15, which counts as 5. The highest possible hand is 9.

1. Place your bet on Player, Banker or Tie.
2. Two cards are dealt to each hand.
3. If either hand has 8 or 9 (a “natural”), both stand and the round ends.
4. Otherwise, the third-card rules below decide whether each hand gets one more card.
5. The hand closest to 9 wins.

Most games use eight decks shuffled together in a shoe.

Player hand: draws a third card on 0–5 and stands on 6 or 7.

Banker hand: if the Player stood, the Banker draws on 0–5 and stands on 6 or 7. If the Player drew a third card, the Banker follows this table:

You do not need to memorise this – the dealer or the game applies the rules automatically.

The Banker bet wins slightly more often because of the drawing rules, which is why the casino charges commission. Even with commission, it is the best bet on the table. The Tie bet looks tempting but has a very high house edge – avoid it. If a tie happens while you bet on Player or Banker, your stake is returned.

Some versions use different rules, such as no-commission baccarat where a Banker win on 6 pays only half. Check the rules of each table.

• Punto Banco – the standard version described above, used in most casinos.
• Mini baccarat – the same rules with lower stakes and a faster pace.
• Live baccarat – real dealers streamed online, including “squeeze” versions where cards are revealed slowly.
• Chemin de fer and Baccarat Banque – older versions where players can make drawing decisions; rare online.

1. Bet on the Banker for the lowest house edge.
2. Skip the Tie and most side bets.
3. Ignore scorecards and “patterns” – each hand is independent.
4. Set a budget; baccarat rounds are fast and stakes add up.
5. Check bonus terms – baccarat often contributes little or nothing to wagering.

Compare baccarat with other games in our casino tips, and find casinos with live tables in our casino reviews.