Baccarat has long held a reputation as the most exclusive, intimidating game on the casino floor.
Because of this glamorous reputation, the average casino player often feels too intimidated to even approach a Baccarat table.
Despite its luxurious aura, Baccarat requires absolutely zero skill, strategy, or memorization to play perfectly.
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
In every round of Baccarat, the dealer will place two hands of cards on the table: the "Player" hand and the "Banker" hand.
They are simply two arbitrary hands of cards; you are merely placing a wager on the outcome of their duel.
Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth absolutely zero points in Baccarat.
For example, if a hand is dealt a 7 and an 8, the sum is 15. You drop the "1", making the true value of the hand a 5.
The hand with the final score closest to 9 wins the round. It is incredibly simple arithmetic.
The Dealer Does All the Work
If the Player's initial total is 0 through 5, they must draw a third card; if it is 6 or 7, they stand.
Looking at the third-card chart can cause a beginner to instantly panic and walk away from the table.
Unlike Blackjack, where you must actively choose to "Hit" or "Stand," Baccarat is played on autopilot.
Your involvement in the game completely ends the moment you place your chips on the betting circle.
Therefore, you can ignore the complex drawing charts completely and simply enjoy the fast-paced action of the game.
The Mathematics of the Baccarat Bets
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.
Many professional players will simply sit at a table and stubbornly bet the Banker every single hand, completely ignoring the results board.
Finally, you must avoid the "Tie" bet at all costs; it is famously one of the worst sucker bets in the entire casino.
The Baccarat Cheat Sheet
Scoring: Add the cards together and drop the first digit (e.g., 8 + 7 = 15. The score is 5). The Player Bet: Pays 1 to 1. House Edge is 1.24%. A perfectly fine, safe bet to make. Pattern Tracking: Casinos provide scoreboards, but previous results do not influence future hands. Streaks are purely coincidental. Mini-Baccarat: A faster, lower-limit version played on a smaller table. Perfect for beginners to learn the flow.
Why Play Baccarat Instead of Blackjack?
MetricThe Game of SkillThe Game of Chance House Edge~0.50% (If played perfectly)1.06% (No skill required) Player DecisionsConstant choices (Hit, Stand, Double, Split)Only one choice (Pick a side before the deal) Pace of PlayModerate (Depends on other players at the table)Very Fast (Especially on Mini-Baccarat tables)
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.
Enjoy the elegance of the game, have fun tracking the massive scoreboards, and watch the nines roll in.