Wondering how to play baccarat? It starts with two hands called Player and Banker. The objective of the game is to make a total closest to 9. You can bet on either hand to win (or a tie). The additional baccarat rules regarding card values and the number of cards that can be drawn are fixed, so once you know them, every round plays out the same way.
Read below to understand this game better:
What Is Baccarat and How Does It Work?
When we say Player and Banker, we are referring to the two sets of hands being dealt. You are not the player. The dealer deals out both hands and you can just sit and watch the action. Bettors need to place their wagers before the hands get dealt.
Each hand gets two cards. Cards from 2-9 are face value, A is counted as 1, and 10, J, Q, K equal to 0. The sum total of both hands is counted as the final number. For example, A,8 is counted as 9, while 7,8 is counted as 5 (only the last digit of the total is considered). If the hand total is too low, a third card may be drawn.
Fun fact: Baccarat traces back to 15th-century Italy, where the name meant “zero”. This was a reference to face cards and tens being worth nothing. French nobility later popularised it, and it spread from there.
Baccarat Rules for Beginners
| Aspect | Details |
| Objective | Bet on a hand (Player or Banker) you think will make a total closest to 9. Or bet on a Tie. |
| Participants | The dealer runs the game. Players bet on the outcome but don’t need to hold the cards themselves. |
| Card Values | Ace = 1. 2-9 = face value. 10, J, Q, K = 0. |
| Hand Calculation | Add the card values to get the final total. If it runs in double digits, drop the first digit. For example, 7+8 = 15, so the hand value becomes 5. 9+9 = 18, hand value becomes 8. 6+3 total becomes 9. |
| Natural Win | A total of 8 or 9 made by the original two cards is called a “Natural”. This is the best total, so there is no need to draw a third card. If the totals of both hands match, Tie bets win. |
| Third-Card Rule | A third card is drawn if the player total is 0-5. The Banker draws a third card depending on the player’s total. |
| Betting Options | Player, Banker, or Tie. |
| Payouts | Player 1:1
Banker 1:1 (minus 5% commission) Tie 8:1 or 9:1 (depending on the casino) |
Baccarat Third-Card Rules
If either hand has a Natural (total 8 or 9 on the first two cards), the round ends there. There is no need for a third card in this scenario.
However, an additional card may be drawn if the totals are too low.
Player’s third card depends on these conditions:
- Total 0-5: Draw another card.
- Total 6-7: Stand.
Banker’s third card depends on the player’s cards. According to baccarat rules, Player gets the first choice of drawing cards. So, if the Player stands (didn’t draw), the Banker can draw an additional card if their total is between 0 and 5. But they have to stand if their total is 6-9
If the Player draws a third card, the Banker’s decision depends on their own total along with the value of the Player’s third card:
| Banker’s total | Draws when Player’s 3rd card is | Stands when Player’s 3rd card is |
| 0-2 | Always draws | – |
| 3 | 1-7, 9, 10 | 8 |
| 4 | 2-7 | 1, 8, 9, 10 |
| 5 | 4-7 | 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 |
| 6 | 6, 7 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 |
| 7 | Always stands | – |
Note: This is not a choice at the table. The dealer applies these rules automatically, so you don’t need to worry about strategizing in this game.
Understanding the Different Bets in Baccarat
Players wondering how to play baccarat, should focus on the different kinds of bets because that is how you get involved in the game. The actual gameplay is carried out by the dealer.
Betting on the Player
You are betting that the Player’s hand total will beat the Banker’s. This is an even money bet which pays out 1:1 with no commission. So, a £2 bet on the Player will return £2 (profit) + £2 (winning stake back), which becomes £4.
Betting on the Banker
You are betting that the Banker’s hand total will be better than the Player’s. This is also an even money bet that pays 1:1. However, this bet has a 5% commission on winnings. The third-card rules give the Banker hand a slightly higher win rate than the Player hand, which is why the commission exists.
Betting on a Tie
You are betting that both hands will finish with equal totals. This happens rarely, and it pays 8:1 or 9:1 depending on the casino. Cautious punters should avoid this bet.
How to Play Baccarat: Step-by-Step Guide
- Place your bet before the cards are dealt. Pick whether to bet on the Player, Banker, or Tie.
- The dealer lays out two cards to both the Player hand and the Banker hand. After that the dealer observes the totals of both hands.
- If one hand has a Natural (8 or 9), it wins straight away. If not, the third card rule applied automatically.
- The Player draws the third card first. After that, the Banker observes the Player total and chooses to draw or stand based on baccarat rules.
- The hand closest to 9 wins. If the totals are equal, Tie bets win.
Baccarat Bets, Payouts and House Edge
| Bet | Payout | House Edge |
| Banker | 1:1 (5% commission) | 1.06% |
| Player | 1:1 | 1.24% |
| Tie | 8:1 or 9:1 | 14.36% |
Note: A lower house edge doesn’t guarantee a win. It means that the payout is statistically closer to even, calculated over thousands of rounds. It doesn’t guarantee that your bet will win. So, if you are new to the game, bet only small amounts to minimize your risk. Your bet pays based on the betting odds given by the casino.
What Beginners Should Know About Baccarat
Baccarat is fully a game of chance. You don’t get involved in the play. Even the dealer doesn’t need to think about separate strategies for Player and Banker. They must follow the baccarat rules for drawing a third card and calculate the totals. These rules are fixed and applied the same way every round.
What you need to know about this game is the house edge. It varies by bet type: low for Player and Banker, and high for a Tie. It’s important to note though this edge is a statistical average calculated over thousands of hands. The edge is not a prediction for your next hand. Previous hands have absolutely no bearing on the next hand. The outcome of each round is independent. For example, if the Banker won the previous nine rounds, your bet on the Player still has an equal chance of winning in the 10th round.
Make sure to set a budget before you start betting. Baccarat rounds move quickly, so it’s easy to lose track of how much you’ve spent if you’re not paying attention.
FAQ
How does baccarat work?
The Dealer deals out two hands: Player and Banker. They receive two cards each and the values are totalled. Whichever hand is closest to 9 wins. If the total is too low, an additional card may be drawn based on baccarat rules. Punters have to bet in advance on which hand will win, or if it will end in a Tie.
Is the Player in baccarat the person playing?
No, “Player” is the name of one of the two hands dealt on the table. The gameplay does not involve an actual player because the dealer deals and calculates the totals. Players just have to place their bets. After that, they can sit and observe the game.
When is a third card drawn in baccarat?
A third card is needed if neither hand has a Natural (8 or 9). The Player draws if their total is 0-5 and stands on 6-7. The Banker’s decision depends on their own total and, if the Player drew, the value of the Player’s third card.
Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org