How to Play and Win at Baccarat
Baccarat can appeal to beginners and experienced players alike thanks to its straightforward rules and comparatively favourable casino odds. This guide covers the game’s rules and hand values, as well as betting options, strategies and common techniques, to help you understand how to play.
Baccarat Rules: How to Play
Baccarat is usually played with six or eight decks combined in a shoe. A dealer runs the game, which can seat up to 14 players. Although the term ‘Banker’ is used throughout Baccarat, it does not mean ‘the house.’
There are three possible Baccarat outcomes. You can bet on the ‘Player’ hand, the ‘Banker’ hand or a ‘Tie’. The goal is to predict which position will finish closest to nine points and win. The game is not always quite so simple, though, as the third-card rule may require the Player and/or Banker to draw another card if the opening hand value is too low.
How a Typical Baccarat Hand Is Played
The cards are loaded into a shoe to begin play, with a cut card placed near the end. It marks the final hand to be dealt from that particular shoe.
Once everyone is seated, players place their bets and the Player and Banker positions each receive two cards. Cards are dealt one at a time, starting with the Player. The Player’s hand is turned face up and its total announced, followed by the Banker’s cards and total.
To understand Baccarat, start by learning the value of each card:
- 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9: Each card is worth its face value.
- 10, Jack, Queen, King: Each card is worth 0 points.
- Ace: Worth 1 point.
Deal two cards to each hand, then total the cards in each one. For instance, 2 6 = 8. If a total exceeds 10 points, subtract to work out the hand’s actual value.
You can get the same result using either of these methods:
- Subtract 10 from the total.
For instance, say you hold an 8 and a 4.
8+4 = 12
12 – 10 = 2
The hand is worth 2 points.
- Drop the first digit.
Using the same example—an 8 and a 4.
8+4 = 12
Drop the first digit, 1.
The hand is worth 2 points.
A Natural Win: The Quickest Baccarat Result
A Baccarat hand can end almost immediately when a player gets a “Natural Win.” A Natural is a two-card hand with a total of 8 or 9 points.
No more cards are dealt in this situation, and it usually results in an automatic win. Exceptions are a Tie or a higher Natural in the opposing hand—for example, the other hand has 9 while yours has 8.
The Third-Card Rule in Baccarat
If the Player’s first two cards total 6, 7, 8 or 9, the hand stands and no more cards are dealt. If the Player’s total is 5 or less, a third card is dealt.
A Banker total of 7, 8 or 9 also stands. The Banker draws a third card if the first two cards total 0, 1, 2 or 3. At a Banker total of 4, 5 or 6, a third card may be dealt depending on the Player’s total.
As a general guide, the Banker may draw on a total of 4, 5 or 6 in these situations:
- The Banker’s total is 4 and the Player’s total is between 2 and 7.
- The Banker’s total is 5 and the Player’s total is 4, 5, 6 or 7.
- The Banker’s total is 6 and the Player’s total is 6 or 7.
Neither position can receive more than three cards. Once the deal is complete, the hand closest to 9 points wins. A Tie means neither hand wins or loses, and winning bets are paid at even money.
The third-card rule can be the trickiest part of Baccarat to follow because the draw depends on the hand values. The table below clarifies when the Banker draws a third card in response to the Player’s hand.
Here’s the Baccarat third-card table:
Understanding the Baccarat Table
A land-based Baccarat table may look intimidating at first, with its many letters and numbers. Once you know what the markings mean, the layout is much easier to understand.
Traditional Baccarat tables usually have 7 to 14 seats, generally numbered from 1 to 15. Why number them up to 15 when there are only 14 seats? Many players in Asian countries consider 13 unlucky, so it is commonly skipped. The sequence therefore goes from 1 to 12, then 14 and 15.
Baccarat players sit at these positions. The areas in front of them are for Player, Banker and Tie bets. In the centre, commission boxes marked with seat numbers are where players place the 5% commission associated with Banker bets.
Other Baccarat Table Formats
Although particularly associated with land-based casinos in Asia, Baccarat is also played at tables other than the full-size version described above. These include:
- Mini Baccarat Table: With room for up to seven players, Mini Baccarat is often chosen by high rollers who want more hands per hour. The dealer handles half as many cards and half as many bets.
- Midi Baccarat Table: Midi Baccarat falls between the mini and full-size versions. It is mainly found in brick-and-mortar casinos, but is also sometimes available at online casinos.
- Online Baccarat Table: Online Baccarat usually has a simpler betting interface. Since you play alone, the other positions shown on a traditional table aren’t needed. The screen typically shows Tie, Player and Banker betting areas, along with any side bets.
Baccarat Bets
Baccarat is appealing in part because its main bets are easy to understand. There are only three principal bets, alongside a range of side bets. More experienced players often steer clear of side bets because their house edge is much higher than that of the main options.
Before looking at side bets, compare the payouts and odds for the three main Baccarat bets:
Banker Bet
Banker is the most popular Baccarat bet because it has the best chance of winning. Banker wins about 45.87% of the time. The casino takes a 5% commission on winning Banker bets, so the return isn’t truly even money: the payout is 0.95:1. Banker wins when that hand finishes closest to nine at the end of the round.
Our tip: Although this bet carries a commission, we recommend it over the other main options. Banker wins more often than Player, which is the reason to choose it.
Player Bet
The Player bet is an alternative with slightly lower odds of winning. On average, the Player hand wins 44.63% of the time. A winning Player bet pays 1:1, and the hand wins by finishing closest to nine at the end of the round.
Tie Bet
Tie is generally the least attractive of the three bets, winning an average of just 9.52% of the time. That’s about one in ten hands, for an 8:1 payout. Its house edge is 15.75% in single-deck Baccarat and 14.36% at an eight-deck table. The corresponding RTP figures are 85.64% and 84.25%, respectively. Almost any online casino game could offer a better return to player.
The table below summarises the odds and payouts for the main Baccarat bets:
Bet Type Win probability Payout Winning outcome House edge (single deck) House edge (6-deck / 8-deck) Banker 45.86% 0.95:1 (after 5% commission) Banker hand wins 1.01% 1.06% / 1.06% Player 44.62% 1:1 Player hand wins 1.29% 1.24% / 1.24% Tie 9.52% 8:1 Both hands tie 15.75% 14.44% / 14.36%
Baccarat Side Bets
Many Baccarat games also offer side bets in addition to the main wager. Their payouts may look appealing, but they’re generally not recommended because of their high house edge. Common options at land-based and online casinos include:
- Player Pair (payout: 11 to 1): Wins if the first two cards dealt to the Player position form a pair.
- Banker Pair (payout: 11 to 1): Wins if the Banker position’s first two cards form a pair.
- Either Pair (payout: 5 to 1): Wins if the Banker or Player forms a pair with the first two cards.
- Perfect Pair (payout: 25 to 1): Wins if the first two cards in either position form a perfect pair, meaning they share both rank and suit.
- Player Bonus (result: push or up to 30 to 1): Wins if the Player gets a Natural or wins by at least four points. The payout increases with the winning margin; a Player win by 9 points pays 30 to 1. A Tie results in a push.
- Banker Bonus (result: push or up to 30 to 1): The Banker must get a Natural or win by at least four points. As with Player Bonus, the payout depends on the winning margin: a Banker win by 9 points pays 30:1. A Tie again results in a push.
Less Common Baccarat Side Bets
The side bets listed above are among the best-known, but some Baccarat tables also offer less common options, including:
- Small (pays 1.5:1): This bet depends on the number of cards dealt. It wins when four cards are dealt in total, so neither the Player nor Banker draws another card. The house edge is 5.27%.
- Big (pays 0.54:1): Big is the opposite of Small: it wins when five or six cards are dealt. This means the third-card rule takes effect and the Banker or Player draws. The house edge is 4.27%.
- Super Six (pays 12:1): This side bet wins when six cards are dealt in total. Both the Banker and Player must draw under the third-card rule. The house edge is a substantial 29.98%.
- Dragon Bonus (pays up to 30:1): The Player must win with a Natural and a margin of at least 4 points. The payout depends on the margin, starting at 1:1 for a 4-point win and reaching 30:1 for a 9-point win. The house edge is 2.65%.
- Dragon 7 (pays 40:1): Wins if the Banker draws a third card and wins with a hand value of 7. The house edge is 7.61%.
- 4-5-6 Bet (payout: 3:2 for four cards, 2:1 for five or six): Choose the total number of cards in the hand, from 4 to 6. The house edge is 5.27% with four cards and 4.35% with five or six.
- All Red (pays 22:1 for red or 24:1 for black): Predict that the Player’s hand will contain cards that are all red or all black. The house edge is notably high at 13.76%.
Popular Baccarat Tips for Winning
Baccarat is a game of chance, so no approach can guarantee a profitable session. These tips are intended to help you play thoughtfully: avoid chasing losses, choose bets carefully and use sensible bankroll management.
- Bet on Banker: Historically, Banker has won more often than the other main bets and has the lowest house edge. Some guides favour this bet, but previous results don’t affect the odds of the next hand. Don’t increase your risk because of a winning streak.
- Limit Tie Bets: The 8:1 payout may be tempting, but a Tie occurs about once every ten hands on average. With a 14.36% house edge, it’s the weakest of the three main bets. A long run without a Tie doesn’t make one more likely next time.
- Explore Baccarat Betting Systems and Strategies: The next section outlines several Baccarat strategies. These systems may change bet sizes after wins or losses, but they don’t remove the game’s risk or guarantee a profit.
- Avoid Baccarat Side Bets: Players who focus on the numbers may prefer to skip side bets. Many have a much higher house edge than the main wagers, making them less suitable for a cautious approach.
- Manage Your Bankroll: Set a budget that lets you play several rounds rather than risking everything on a single Baccarat hand. Pick a fixed amount or percentage of your bankroll for each bet, and stick to it.
Popular Baccarat Strategies for Winning
As with Roulette and Blackjack, Baccarat players often use betting systems. They can’t guarantee success, though some players prefer to follow one. Progressive approaches usually raise or lower the stake after a win or loss, or use a set sequence.
A separate guide to Baccarat strategies covers the topic in more detail. Here, we briefly explain some commonly used approaches.
Martingale Baccarat Strategy
The Martingale strategy uses an unchanged stake initially, then doubles the wager after every loss. Continue doubling through consecutive losses, with the aim of recouping them and ending 1 unit ahead when you win. A long losing run can require very large bets and a deep bankroll; the table limit may also prevent you from continuing before you recover your losses.
Paroli Baccarat Strategy
Paroli is almost the reverse of Martingale: double your bet after a win and keep doing so until a bet loses. After a loss, return to your starting stake and begin again. The system aims to take advantage of winning streaks while limiting the amount exposed during a losing run, but it doesn’t change the underlying odds.
James Bond Baccarat Strategy
The James Bond system is more involved than some Baccarat methods, but its bet allocation is simple. Choose your total stake for each round, then put 70% on Banker, 25% on Player and 5% on Tie. This covers each possible main outcome and puts the largest share on Banker, but doesn’t eliminate the house edge.
1-3-2-6 Baccarat Strategy
This system is similar to Paroli: increase your stakes after wins and return to the minimum after a loss. The sequence is fixed: start with 1 unit, move to 3 after a win, then bet two (2) times the original amount after another win, and finally six (6) times the original amount after a further win. The sequence aims to make the most of wins without escalating as quickly during losses.
1-3-2-4 Baccarat Betting System
The 1-3-2-4 system follows the same basic principle as the 1-3-2-6 Baccarat strategy, but takes a more cautious approach. Instead of betting six times the original amount after the third win in the sequence, it calls for four times the original stake.
Baccarat Game Variations
Along with the standard Baccarat rules offered at many casinos, you may find a range of alternative versions.
- No Commission Baccarat: As the name suggests, this version removes the usual commission on Banker bets. The rules are adjusted to compensate: although some wins pay 1:1, a Banker win with an eight (and sometimes a six) may pay only 1:2 or 0.5:1.
- Baccarat Squeeze: This version follows standard Baccarat rules, including the third-card rule, while adding cameras at online casinos. A live dealer slowly reveals or squeezes the cards to add drama to each hand.
- Speed Baccarat: This online format speeds up the game, with less time to bet and cards dealt more quickly.
- Dragon Tiger: Dragon Tiger is a simplified Baccarat-style game in which each position receives just one initial card.
- Multiplier Baccarat Variations: Some popular online Baccarat versions add random multipliers to the main bets. Depending on the result and game terms, a multiplier may lead to a larger-than-usual payout.
- Progressive Jackpot Baccarat Games: Some games feature a progressive jackpot funded by a percentage of each bet, so it can grow over time. The stated jackpot condition requires both Banker and Player to hold an Ace and an 8 of the same suit.
Play Baccarat Online Today
You don’t have to travel to Macau or Las Vegas to play Baccarat. Many online casinos offer the game, but choosing one can be challenging. Casino Ideal has a range of online casino reviews to help you compare platforms and their stated features. Read the available information and choose carefully. Use the link to start playing Baccarat online only where you’re permitted to play, and keep your bets and strategies within a sensible budget.
