Elegant, simple, and classy, baccarat is a casino card game that exudes both sophistication and style.
But don’t be fooled by its glamorous image or its reputation as a rich man’s folly. Baccarat is one of the easiest card games to learn, and you don’t need to be a high roller or hold a license to kill to get involved. If you want to discover this 500-year-old card game and learn how to play baccarat, read on.
What Is Baccarat?
Baccarat is a card game played between the Player and the Banker. In some games, these roles switch. In others, the house is always the Banker.
The game’s origins are Italian. Baccarat is derived from the word ‘baccara’, meaning zero. Originally a game exclusive to only the elite, it has transformed into a casino classic. Baccarat dominates in Macau and continues to gain serious traction on the Vegas Strip.
The primary objective is simple: bet on the hand that will have a total closest to nine.
Today, modern casinos offer various formats to suit every player. It’s not just for high-rollers in VIP card rooms. It’s also ubiquitous on the web, with many Baccarat online casinos offering live dealer and automated versions.
Learn more about the game’s origins and popularity in this baccarat guide.
Baccarat Table
The baccarat table layout is minimal and designed to reflect the simplicity of the game. Here’s what to expect:
A standard table includes three main betting areas:
- Player
- Banker
- Tie
Players make their bets by placing their chips in one of these sections.
Table Sizes
There are three basic types of baccarat tables:
Mini Baccarat: Seats up to seven players, commonly found in most casinos, and is popular online. The dealer controls the game.
Midi Baccarat: Slightly larger and usually reserved for mid-level stakes. Players may sometimes be allowed to turn the cards. Accommodates up to nine players.
Baccarat (or Full-Scale Baccarat): Found in high-limit areas with twelve to fourteen seats; sometimes featuring multiple dealers. This racetrack-shaped table often has a section cut out for the dealers.
Regardless of table size, the baccarat game rules remain the same.
Baccarat Card Values and Hand Scoring
Getting to grips with baccarat card values is crucial. Although there is nothing you can do to change the outcome.
Here’s how the points are assigned:
- Aces = 1 point
- 2–9 = Face value
- 10s, Jacks, Queens, Kings = 0 points
Scoring a Hand
To determine a hand’s total, just add the value of the two cards. If the total exceeds 9, only the last digit is used.
For example: 7 + 8 = 15. The hand total exceeds 9. Therefore, you ignore the first digit.
The outcome of this combination is a hand valued at 5.
How does baccarat work?
The rules are consistent, regardless of whether you are learning how to play baccarat online or at a physical table.
There are three stages to a baccarat hand:
- The Initial Deal: Two cards are dealt to both Player and Banker positions.
- A Natural Win: If either hand totals 8 or 9, it’s declared a ‘natural,’ and no more cards are drawn.
- The Third Card Rule: If no natural win occurs, additional cards are drawn according to the rules.
How to Play Baccarat: A Step-by-Step Guide
In most standard baccarat games, 6 or 8 standard 52 playing card decks are used. Eight is the industry average. If you are a high roller, you might get a six-deck shoe.
Here’s how a typical hand of baccarat plays out.
Understand the Goal of the Game
The goal of baccarat is to bet on which hand – Player or Banker –will end up closest to 9.
Know All the Card Values
Remember that Aces are worth 1, cards 2–9 are face value, and 10s and face cards are worth 0.
Place Your Bet
Before the deal, make your bet: place your chips on either the Player, Banker, or Tie area.
Dealer Deals Two Cards
Two cards are dealt to both the Player(s) and Banker.
Check for a Natural Win
If either hand totals 8 or 9, it’s a ‘natural’ and the round ends.
Third Card Rule (If Needed)
If neither hand is a natural, a third card may be dealt. The rules for drawing a third card are predetermined.
Determine the Winner and Cash Out
The hand closest to 9 wins. If your bet is good, you win.
Baccarat Betting Options
Understanding the betting options is critical, when learning how to play baccarat. There are three primary bets:
Player Bet: You are betting that the Player hand will win. Pays even money (1:1). House edge 1.24%
Banker Bet: You are betting that the Banker hand will win. Also pays 1:1. However, it includes a 5% commission. Statistically, the Banker wins more often. House edge 1.06%
Tie Bet: A bet that both hands will end in a tie. Pays 8:1 or 9:1, depending on the casino. This bet has the highest house edge at 14.36%.
Baccarat Misconceptions
Is baccarat a highly complex game, played exclusively by billionaires, secret agents, and mysterious femme fatales?
No, it is most definitely not. Now, let’s clear up a few more popular misconceptions about the game..
Baccarat is too complicated: False. Literally, the most complicated thing about baccarat is spelling it. The only decision you have to take is what bet to place: Player, Banker, or Dealer. If extra cards are needed, they are drawn automatically – no thinking required.
You have to be rich to play: Not anymore. While baccarat does have a reputation as the ‘go-to’ for whales with deep pockets, any average Joe can enjoy a game. Most casinos, both online and offline, offer low-stakes baccarat. Look out for mini baccarat and live dealer versions online.
I need to know the strategy to win: No, not necessarily. While you may think that a deep-level strategy is required to play baccarat, you can still manage your bankroll strategically by consistently betting on the Banker and avoiding the Tie Bet. At the end of the day, baccarat is a game of pure luck.
The Banker always wins: Mostly false. In fact, the Banker wins 45.8% of hands, compared to the Player’s 44.6%. Now factor in the 5% commission paid when the Banker wins.
Past results influence future outcomes: False. This is the classic gambler’s fallacy: ‘The Dealer has won the past 29 hands. It must be time for the Player to win.’ Wrong. The odds remain exactly the same.
The Tie Bet is a good idea because it pays more: False. The Tie Bet sounds tempting, with a great payout (8:1, 9:1), but that house edge tells you all you need to know. Serious players are betting on the Banker.
You can count cards: True. However, it makes absolutely no difference to the outcome when playing baccarat.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve had the baccarat rules explained, you’re licensed for thrills and ready to enjoy one of the most iconic games in any casino.
Baccarat is simple, fast, and fun, making it perfect for both beginners and seasoned players. Whether you’re playing in Sin City or learning how to play baccarat online, the advice is always the same: have fun, bet within your limits, and enjoy the experience.
