How To Play Baccarat: A Beginner's Guide

Baccarat has long held a reputation as the most exclusive, intimidating game on the casino floor.


Many beginners assume that a game favored by the elite must have incredibly complex rules and require deep strategic knowledge.


The massive irony is that Baccarat is actually the simplest table game in the entire casino.


Furthermore, Baccarat offers some of the absolute best mathematical odds available to a casino player.


Let's break down the rules, explain how the hands are scored, and reveal the only strategy you will ever need.

The Objective: Getting Closer to Nine

The entire premise of Baccarat is to bet on which of two hands will have a total score closest to the number 9.


Before any cards are dealt, you place your chips in one of three betting circles in front of you: Player, Banker, or Tie.


Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth absolutely zero points in Baccarat.


If a hand receives a 9 and a 9, the sum is 18. Drop the "1", and the true value is an 8.


The hand with the final score closest to 9 wins the round. It is incredibly simple arithmetic.

The Third Card Rule (Why You Don't Need to Learn It)

The rules governing whether a third card is drawn are incredibly complex, based on a rigid mathematical matrix.


The rules for the Banker drawing a third card are even more complicated, depending on the Banker's total AND the value of the Player's third card.


As a player, you make absolutely no decisions regarding drawing cards or standing.


This is why Baccarat is a game of pure, unadulterated chance; your choices cannot positively or negatively affect the outcome of the cards.


Therefore, you can ignore the complex drawing charts completely and simply enjoy the fast-paced action of the game.

Why the Banker Bet is the Best Option

The math clearly dictates that one of these bets is significantly superior to the other two.


If you bet on the "Player" hand and it wins, you are paid 1 to 1 (even money). The house edge on the Player bet is a very respectable 1.24%.


Because the Banker bet has a built-in mathematical advantage, the casino charges a 5% commission on all winning Banker bets.


Betting the Banker minimizes your long-term losses and gives you the absolute best odds of walking away a winner.


While the Tie bet offers a tempting 8 to 1 payout, the true odds of a tie occurring are roughly 9.5 to 1.

Essential Rules for Beginners

The Goal: Bet on the hand (Player or Banker) that will finish closest to a total score of 9.
The Tie Bet: Pays 8 to 1. House Edge is 14.36%. An absolute trap. Never place chips on the Tie.
The Third Card Rule: A complex set of rules the dealer follows. You do not need to memorize or understand it.
Commission: Do not forget that the dealer will take 5% of your Banker winnings; they usually keep track and collect it when you leave.

Why Play Baccarat Instead of Blackjack?

Game FeatureBlackjack (Basic Strategy)Baccarat (Banker Bet)
House Edge~0.50% (If played perfectly)1.06% (No skill required)
Skill Level RequiredHigh (Must memorize complex strategy charts)Zero (Just point at the Banker circle)
Stress LevelCan be stressful making the wrong callZero stress once the bet is placed


Do not let the high limits or the James Bond aesthetic intimidate you from enjoying this fantastic game.


Just remember the golden rule: ignore the Tie bet, trust the Banker, and let the dealer handle the complex math.


Good luck, and may you always draw a natural nine.