What Is Baccarat?
Baccarat is one of the oldest and most elegant casino card games in the world. Despite its reputation as a high-roller game, Baccarat is surprisingly simple to learn — you don't need any complex strategy to get started. The game comes down to predicting which of two hands — the Player or the Banker — will have a value closest to 9.
The Objective of Baccarat
Your goal is not to build your own hand but to bet on the outcome. Before any cards are dealt, you place a wager on one of three possible results:
- Player wins — the Player hand ends up closer to 9
- Banker wins — the Banker hand ends up closer to 9
- Tie — both hands have the same value
How Card Values Work
Baccarat uses a unique card-value system that differs from most other card games:
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 |
| 2 – 9 | Face value |
| 10, Jack, Queen, King | 0 |
When a hand's total exceeds 9, only the second digit counts. For example, a hand of 7 + 8 = 15 is worth 5.
The Deal: How a Round Works
- The dealer deals two cards each to the Player and Banker positions.
- Totals are calculated. A hand totaling 8 or 9 is called a Natural — no more cards are drawn.
- If neither hand is a Natural, drawing rules (the "Third Card Rule") determine whether a third card is dealt.
- The hand closest to 9 wins.
Understanding the Third Card Rule
You don't need to memorize this — the dealer (or software) handles it automatically. But here's a simplified overview:
- If the Player hand totals 0–5, the Player draws a third card.
- If the Player stands (total of 6 or 7), the Banker draws on 0–5.
- If the Player draws a third card, the Banker's draw depends on both the Banker's total and the Player's third card.
Payouts at a Glance
| Bet | Payout | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Player | 1:1 | Even money |
| Banker | 0.95:1 | 5% commission applies |
| Tie | 8:1 | Higher payout, lower probability |
Baccarat Variants You'll Encounter Online
Online casinos typically offer several versions of the game:
- Punto Banco — the most common variant; purely luck-based
- Mini Baccarat — faster pace, lower table limits
- Live Dealer Baccarat — real cards dealt by a human dealer via video stream
- Speed Baccarat — rounds completed in roughly 27 seconds
Key Takeaways for Beginners
Baccarat is one of the best games for new players because it requires no skill to play the base game — just a bet. The Banker bet carries the lowest house edge (around 1.06%), making it statistically the most favorable wager. Avoid the Tie bet regularly, as its house edge is significantly higher. Start with low-limit tables to get comfortable with the flow of the game before moving up.