How to Play and Win at Baccarat
Baccarat is approachable for beginners and experienced players alike, thanks to its simple rules and comparatively favorable casino odds. This guide walks through the game, from its basic rules and hand values to bets, strategies, and common techniques, to help you understand how it works.
Baccarat Rules: How to Play Baccarat
Baccarat is typically played with six or eight decks combined in a shoe. A dealer runs the game, which can accommodate up to 14 players. Although baccarat uses the term ‘Banker,’ it does not mean ‘the house.’
Baccarat has three possible outcomes to 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 rules also specify when the Player and/or Banker must draw a third card if a hand does not meet the required value.
How a Typical Baccarat Hand Is Played
The cards are placed in a shoe, with a cut card near the end. The cut card marks the final hand to be dealt from that shoe.
Once players have joined the table, they place their wagers. The Player and Banker positions each receive two cards in the opening deal, one at a time, starting with the Player. The Player’s cards are turned over and their total is announced, followed by the Banker’s cards and total.
To understand baccarat, start by learning each card’s value:
- 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9: Worth their face value.
- 10, Jack, Queen, King: Each is worth 0 points.
- Ace: Worth 1 point.
With two cards in each position, total the cards in each hand. For example, 2 6 = 8. If a total exceeds 10 points, subtract to determine the hand’s “true” value.
Either of these methods gives the same result:
- Subtract 10 from the total.
Suppose your cards are an 8 and a 4.
8 + 4 = 12
12 − 10 = 2
The hand’s true value is 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’s true value is 2 points.
A Natural Win: The Quickest Baccarat Result
A baccarat hand can sometimes end almost immediately with what is known as a “Natural Win.” A two-card hand totaling 8 or 9 points is a Natural win.
No more cards are dealt in this situation, and it generally gives the winning hand an automatic win. The exceptions are a Tie or an opposing hand with a higher natural—for example, if the other hand has a 9 and yours has an 8.
The Baccarat Third-Card Rule
If the Player’s first two cards total 6, 7, 8, or 9, the hand stands and takes no more cards. 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. With a Banker total of 4, 5, or 6, whether a third card is dealt depends on the Player’s specific total.
As a general guide, the Banker may draw on a total of 4, 5, or 6 in the following situations:
- The Banker’s total is 4, and the Player’s total is from 2 to 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 because whether a card is drawn depends on the hand values. The table below shows when the Banker draws a third card in response to the Player’s hand.
Baccarat Third-Card Table:
Baccarat Table Layout Explained
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 easier to understand.
Traditional baccarat tables generally have 7 to 14 seats, often numbered 1 through 15. Why number the seats up to 15 if there are 14 seats? Many players in Asian countries consider 13 unlucky, so tables commonly omit it. The numbering therefore goes from 1 to 12, then continues with 14 and 15.
Baccarat players sit in one of these positions. The areas in front of them are for Player, Banker, and Tie bets. In the center are commission boxes marked with seat numbers, where players place the 5% commission associated with Banker bets.
Other Baccarat Table Types
Although they are especially associated with land-based casinos in Asia, several alternatives to the full-size Baccarat table are available. These include:
- Mini Baccarat Table: Mini Baccarat seats up to seven players and is often chosen by high rollers looking for more hands per hour. The dealer handles half as many cards and half as many wagers.
- Midi Baccarat Table: Midi Baccarat falls between the mini and full-size versions. It is mainly found in brick-and-mortar casinos, though it is sometimes offered at online casinos.
- Online Baccarat Table: Online Baccarat typically has a simpler betting interface. Since you play by yourself, the other seats from a traditional table are not needed. The screen usually shows betting areas for Tie, Player, and Banker, as well as any side bets.
Baccarat Bets
One reason Baccarat is appealing is that its main bets are simple to understand. The game has three principal bets, as well as many side bets. Experienced players often avoid side bets because their house edge is considerably higher than that of the main options.
Before looking at side bets, compare the payouts and odds of Baccarat’s three principal bets:
Banker Bet
The Banker bet is the most popular wager at a Baccarat table, as it has the best chance of winning. Banker bets win 45.87% of the time. The casino collects a 5% commission on winning Banker wagers, so the payout is 0.95:1 rather than even money. The Banker bet wins when the Banker hand finishes closest to nine at the end of the round.
Our Tip: Despite the commission, we suggest this bet over the others. The Banker hand wins more often than the Player hand.
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. Winning Player wagers pay 1:1; as with the Banker bet, the hand wins by finishing closest to nine when the round ends.
Tie Bet
The Tie bet is generally the least attractive of the three, winning an average of 9.52% of the time—about one in ten hands—in exchange 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 percentage.
The table below compares the odds and payouts for the main Baccarat bets:
Bet Type Winning Odds Payout Ratio Winning Condition 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
Most Baccarat games also offer side bets in addition to the main wager. Their payouts can be tempting, but they are 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 Player position’s first two cards 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 either the Banker or Player forms a pair with their first two cards.
- Perfect Pair (Payout: 25 to 1): Wins if the first two cards in either the Player or Banker position form a perfect pair—that is, they share both the same value 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 margin of victory; 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 the Player Bonus, the payout depends on the margin of victory: a Banker win by 9 points pays 30:1. A Tie results in a Push.
Other Less Common Baccarat Side Bets
In addition to the familiar side bets listed above, some Baccarat tables offer less common options, including:
- Small (Result: Pays 1.5:1): Based on the number of cards dealt in the hand, this bet wins when four cards are dealt in total, so neither the Player nor Banker draws another card. The house edge is 5.27%.
- Big (Result: Pays 0.54:1): The opposite of Small, Big wins when five or six cards are dealt. This means the third-card rule applies and the Banker or Player draws. The bet has a 4.27% house edge.
- Super Six (Result: Pays 12:1): This side bet pays when six cards are dealt in total, meaning both the Banker and Player draw under the third-card rule. The house edge is 29.98%.
- Dragon Bonus (Result: Up to 30:1): The Player must win with a Natural and a margin of at least 4 points. The payout depends on that margin, starting at 1:1 for a 4-point win and reaching 30:1 for a 9-point win. This side bet has a 2.65% house edge.
- Dragon 7 (Result: 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 (Result: 3:2 for four cards and 2:1 for five or six): Choose a hand size of 4 to 6 cards. The house edge is 5.27% with four cards and 4.35% with either five or six.
- All Red (Result: 22:1 for Red or 24:1 for Black): Predict that all cards in the Player’s hand will be red or all will be black. This wager has a high 13.76% house edge.
Popular Tips for Winning at Baccarat
Baccarat is a game of chance, and no approach can guarantee a profitable session. These tips can help you play thoughtfully: avoid chasing losses, choose bets carefully, and use sensible bankroll management.
- Bet on the Banker: The Banker has historically won more often than the other main bets and has the lowest house edge. Some guides favor this bet, but past wins do not affect the odds of the next hand. Do not increase your risk because of a streak.
- Use Tie Bets Sparingly: 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 is the weakest of the three main bets. A long wait between Ties does not make one more likely on the next hand.
- Consider Baccarat Betting Systems and Strategies: The next section outlines several Baccarat strategies. These systems may adjust bet sizes after wins or losses, but they do not eliminate the game’s risks or guarantee a profit.
- Avoid Baccarat Side Bets: Players who focus on the odds may prefer to skip side bets. Many have a much higher house edge than the main wagers, making them unsuitable for a cautious approach.
- Manage Your Bankroll: Set a budget that lets you play several rounds instead of risking everything on one Baccarat hand. Decide on a fixed amount or percentage of your bankroll for each bet, and stick to that limit.
Popular Baccarat Strategies
As with Roulette and Blackjack, Baccarat players often use betting systems. These approaches cannot guarantee success, although some players find them useful. Progressive systems typically raise or lower the wager after a win or loss, or follow a preset sequence.
A separate Baccarat strategies guide discusses these systems in greater detail. Here are brief explanations of several common approaches.
Martingale Baccarat Strategy
The Martingale strategy uses an unchanged initial stake, then doubles the wager after each loss. Continue increasing the bet after consecutive losses, with the aim of recovering them and ending 1 unit ahead when you win. A long losing run can require very large bets and a sizable bankroll. The table limit may also prevent you from continuing the sequence long enough to recoup losses.
Paroli Baccarat Strategy
The Paroli approach works almost opposite to Martingale: double your wager after a win and continue until a bet loses. After a loss, return to the starting wager and begin again. It is intended to build on winning streaks while limiting what you carry into a losing run, but it cannot change the underlying odds.
James Bond Baccarat Strategy
The James Bond system uses a simple allocation. Choose your total wager for a round, then place 70% on Banker, 25% on Player, and 5% on Tie. It covers each possible main outcome while assigning the largest share to Banker, but it does not remove the house edge.
1-3-2-6 Baccarat Strategy
Like Paroli, this system increases wagers after wins and returns to the minimum after a loss. The sequence is fixed: start with 1, move to 3 after a win, then wager two (2) times the original amount after another win, and finally wager six (6) times the original amount after the next win. The sequence aims to take advantage of wins without increasing stakes as quickly during losses.
1-3-2-4 Baccarat Betting System
The 1-3-2-4 system follows the same basic idea as the 1-3-2-6 Baccarat strategy but is more cautious. Instead of wagering six times the original amount after the third win in the sequence, it calls for four times the original stake.
Baccarat Game Variations
Alongside the standard Baccarat rules offered at many casinos, you may find a range of alternative versions.
- No Commission Baccarat: As the name suggests, No Commission Baccarat removes the usual commission on Banker bets. Other rules change to compensate: while some wins pay 1:1, a Banker win with an eight (and sometimes a six) may pay just 1:2 or 0.5:1.
- Baccarat Squeeze: This version follows standard Baccarat rules, including the third-card rule, and uses cameras at online casinos. A live dealer slowly reveals or squeezes the cards to build suspense around each hand.
- Speed Baccarat: This online format moves the game along faster, with a shorter betting period and quicker card deals.
- Dragon Tiger: Dragon Tiger is a simplified Baccarat-style game in which each position receives only one initial card.
- Multiplier Baccarat Variations: Some popular online Baccarat versions add random multipliers to the main bets. Depending on the result and the game’s terms, a multiplier may allow a larger-than-usual payout.
- Progressive Jackpot Baccarat Games: Some titles feature a progressive jackpot funded by a percentage of each wager, allowing it to 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 between them can be challenging. Al Buraq Regina features numerous online casino reviews to help you compare platforms and their stated features. Review the available information, choose carefully, and follow the link to play Baccarat online only where you are permitted to do so. Keep your bets and strategies within a sensible budget.
