How To Play Baccarat Like A Pro

If you observe the high-limit rooms of a luxurious casino, you have likely seen crowds of well-dressed players focused intensely on the Punto Banco table. Because of its ties with James Bond and massive stakes, the game is frequently viewed as highly complicated or only for billionaires. But the reality is that this card game is one of the most straightforward and most player-friendly games on the entire casino floor.

How the Game Works: Picking the Winning Hand

Unlike blackjack or poker, there is zero strategy required once the cards are dealt. The casino staff runs the math. Your only job is to predict which of two hands will achieve a score closest to the number nine. You can only wager on three outcomes: the 'Player' hand winning, the 'Banker' hand winning, or a 'Tie' between the two. You must remember that the labels do not represent you and the casino; they are merely the labels given to the two hands dealt on the table.

The Weird Math of Baccarat and Baccarat Scoring

The scoring system at the Punto Banco table is unique compared to other games. Cards numbered 2 through 9 are worth their face value. Aces equal 1. However, Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings have a value of 0. The unique mechanic is that a hand's total cannot go over 9. If your total is 10 or higher, you ignore the left number. For example, if the cards are an eight and a seven, the total is 15. The score becomes 5.


The Banker has the lowest edge because it acts last.
Since it is the best bet, the casino charges a standard 5% commission when the Banker hand wins.
Avoid the Tie wager completely. The casino edge is huge of roughly 14.36%.
The dealer handles the complex draws; the dealer does the math for you.

The Math Behind the Wagers

To ensure you play perfectly, here is a chart that displays the statistics and margins for the three main Baccarat bets.


OptionPayoutCasino Advantage
Banker Bet0.95 to 1Very Low (1.06%)
PlayerExactly 1:1Low (1.24%)
The Tie BetUsually 8 to 1 or 9 to 1Sucker Bet (14.36%)


In summary, Punto Banco is incredibly easy that offers some of the best odds in the entire casino. By ignoring the complex scorecards and just betting consistently on the Banker or Player spaces, you can have a fun and relaxing session without studying complex strategies or mathematical charts. The only thing to memorize is: avoid the Tie bet at all costs!