How to Play and Win at Baccarat
Baccarat is a game of choice for novices and experts alike, thanks to its straightforward rules and favorable casino odds. This comprehensive guide offers a deep dive into how to play Baccarat, covering everything from basic rules to strategic approaches and expert betting techniques. Equip yourself with the knowledge you need to fully understand this captivating game.
Baccarat Rules: How to Play Baccarat
Baccarat is a card game typically played with six decks or eight decks of cards placed in a shoe. The game is operated by a dealer and can be played with up to 14 players. Unlike other games, when we mention ‘Banker’ in baccarat, it does not refer to ‘The House.’
In baccarat, there are three potential outcomes. A player can choose to bet on the 'Player’s' hand, the 'Banker’s' hand, or on a 'Tie'. The object of the game is to guess which position will get a total that is closest to nine points, and thus the winning hand. However, it is not as straightforward as that in every hand. In some instances, when a minimum hand value is not created, the third card rule is applied, meaning both the banker and/or the player will have to draw a third card (more on that later).
Baccarat Game Play - How a Regular Hand is Played
The game begins when the cards are placed in a shoe, and the cut card is put towards the end of the shoe. This cut card signals what will be the last hand dealt in the specific shoe.
Once all the players have joined the table, bets are placed, and both the player and banker positions receive two cards from the initial deal. Cards are dealt one at a time, starting with the Player. Once the cards are dealt, the Player's hand is turned over, and the dealer will announce the total of the cards. Then, the Banker’s cards are turned over, and the total is announced.
To play baccarat, you will need to know the value of each card:
- 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9: Are worth their face value.
- 10, Jack, Queen, King: Are worth 0 points.
- Ace: Is worth 1 point.
Once both the player and banker positions receive two cards, you will then need to read the hands to determine their total. To determine their value, simply add the cards of the banker or player's hand together – e.g., 2 6 = 8. If the value of the hand exceeds 10 points, you will need to do some basic math to determine the “true” value of the hand.
There are two ways to do this, each providing the same outcome:
- Subtract 10 from the total value.
For example, say you receive an 8 and a 4.
8+4 = 12
12 – 10 = 2
The true value of the hand is 2 points.
- Drop the first digit.
Using the cards from the previous example, you receive an 8 and a 4.
8+4 = 12
Drop the first digit, which is 1.
The true value of the hand is 2 points.
A Natural Win - The Quickest Result on a Baccarat Table
Sometimes, the game of baccarat ends quickly. This usually happens if a player receives what is known as a “Natural Win.” If the cards are dealt, and a player receives a hand that totals 8 or 9 points, that is a Natural win.
When this happens, there are no additional cards dealt, and it is an automatic win. An exception is if the hand is a tie or if an opposing hand has a higher natural. For example, an opposing hand has a 9 when you only have an 8.
The Third Card Rule on Baccarat Games
If a Player’s initial hand of two cards equals 6, 7, 8, or 9, no additional cards are dealt. However, if the player’s hand has a total value of 5 or less, a third card is dealt.
If a Banker’s hand has a total of 7, 8, or 9, no additional cards are dealt. However, a Banker will be dealt a third card if the first two total 0, 1, 2, or 3. The Banker may be dealt a third card if the cards total 4, 5, or 6 if the Player’s hand has met specific totals.
As a general rule of thumb, a Banker may hit with a total of 4, 5, or 6 if:
- The Banker’s total value is 4, and the Player’s total value is between 2 and 7.
- The Banker’s total value is 5, and the Player’s total value is 4, 5, 6, or 7.
- The Banker’s total value is 6, and the Player’s total value is 6 or 7.
Neither the Player nor the Banker will ever receive more than three cards. Once the hands have been dealt, whoever has the closest to 9 points wins. If there is a Tie, neither hand wins or loses. Any winning bets are paid off at even money.
The third card rule is probably one of the most confusing aspects of Baccarat. It is not always easy to know when third cards are dealt according to the rules. To make it easier, take a look at the table below, which describes when the banker draws a third card depending on the value of the player's hand.
Here is the Baccarat Third Card Table:
The Baccarat Table Explained
If you have come across a baccarat table in a land-based casino, we're sure you'd admit they're fairly overwhelming at first glance. However, once you realize what all the numbers and letters are for, you will quickly realize they're not that complicated at all.
Essentially, there are between 7 and 14 seats, normally numbered from 1 to 15. Why 15 and not 14? Because most players in Asian countries are superstitious and believe the number 13 is unlucky. For that reason, that number is rarely found on a traditional Baccarat table. Instead, the seats will have the numbers 1 through 12 and then 14 and 15.
Players that want to play Baccarat take their seats in one of those positions. In front of them are the sections where they can place their Player bets, Banker bets, or tie bets. In the middle of the Baccarat table are the commission boxes numbered by seat. This is where players give their 5% commission on Banker bets (more on that later).
Other Types of Baccarat Tables
Although more likely at land-based casinos in Asia, you may come across other Baccarat tables that look different from the full-sized Baccarat table we spoke about above. Those baccarat tables are:
- Mini Baccarat Table: Seating up to a maximum of seven players, a mini Baccarat table is often the choice of high rollers who want to see more hands per hour. The dealer has half the cards to deal with and half the bets to handle.
- Midi Baccarat Table: As you might expect, this is a Baccarat table that falls somewhere between mini Baccarat and full-sized Baccarat. While mostly found in brick-and-mortar casinos, this table is also sometimes found at online casinos.
- Online Baccarat Table: When you take your virtual seat at a game of Baccarat online, you usually have a far simpler betting overlay. You're playing alone, so there is no reason to see all the other positions like you would on regular baccarat tables. Instead, you just have the Tie, Player and Banker betting sections as well as any side bet options.
The Baccarat Bets
One of the reasons the Baccarat game appeals is because of the simplicity of its bets. There are just three main bets for the main game. While you have numerous side bet options as well, most experienced players choose to avoid these as they have a much higher house edge when compared to the main game.
Before we get into those side bets, let's take a closer look at the Baccarat payouts and odds of the main three bets in Baccarat. When playing Baccarat, you can place the following bets:
Banker Bet
The Banker Bet is the most commonly played bet at a Baccarat table. This is simply because it has the best odds of winning. Banker bets usually win 45.87% of the time. However, the Banker bet is also where the casino gains its house edge. This is because when players bet on the banker and that bet wins, 5% is taken by the house as a commission. For that reason, it is not quite an even money bet, as you will receive a 0.95:1 payout when the Banker's hand wins. The Banker wins when that position has a hand value that is closest to nine when the round comes to an end.
Our Tip: Even though you have to pay a commission, this is the bet we suggest you play over any other. Bet on the banker purely because the Banker's hand is the winning hand more often than the player's hand.
Player Bet
Alternatively, for slightly lower odds of winning, you can place a Player bet. The Player hand will win 44.63% of the time, on average. If the Player hand is the winning one and you've placed a bet on it, you will receive a 1:1 payout. Just like the Banker hand, this hand wins if it's the closest to nine at the end of the round.
Tie Bet
The Tie bet is considered the worst of the three bets simply because tie bets win just 9.52% times on average. That basically means one in ten times for a payout of 8:1. The house edge for this hand is 15.75% on a single-deck Baccarat game and 14.36% on tables utilizing eight decks. When flipped around, that means an RTP of 85.64% and 84.25%, respectively. You could get a better return-to-player percentage playing just about any online casino game.
Below, you will see the odds and payouts of all the main baccarat bets:
Bet Type Winning Odds Payout Ratio How the Bet Wins House Edge (Single Deck) House Edge (6-deck / 8-deck) Banker 45.86% 0.95:1 (due to 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
Placed independently of the main game, on most baccarat games, you can also place side bets. While not recommended due to the high house edge, side bets do carry some decent payouts. Below, we have listed some of the most common baccarat side bets you will find at land-based or online casinos:
- Player Pair (Payout: 11 to 1): This bet results in a win if the initial two cards dealt to the Player hand position constitute a pair.
- Banker Pair (Payout: 11 to 1): A successful outcome occurs when the first two cards dealt to the Banker hand position form a pair.
- Either Pair (Payout: 5 to 1): You win this bet if either the Banker or Player form a pair from their initial two cards dealt.
- Perfect Pair (Payout: 25 to 1): Success is achieved if the first two cards dealt to either the Player or Banker positions form a perfect pair. A perfect pair is when the two cards are the same value and suit.
- Player Bonus (Result: Push or up to 30 to 1): This bet is declared victorious if the Player hand position secures a Natural win or wins by at least four points. The payout increases proportionally with the extent of the position's victory. For instance, a Player win by 9 points yields a payout of 30 to 1. In the event of a Tie, the bet results in a Push.
- Banker Bonus (Result: Push or up to 30 to 1): Successful outcome is attained if the Banker hand achieves a Natural win or wins by a margin of at least four points. Similar to the player bonus side bet, your winnings will depend on the margin by which the Banker wins. For example, a Banker win of 9 points will give you a 30:1 payout. Again, a Tie results in a Push.
Other Less Common Baccarat Side Bets
While the above are the side bets you're most likely to see, you may also come across some of the following when playing Baccarat:
- Small (Result: Pays 1.5:1): This is a side bet that is dependent on how many cards are used during a hand. You win if the number of cards dealt in the round total four. That essentially means neither the Player nor Banker draws cards. The house edge for this bet is 5.27%.
- Big (Result: Pays 0.54:1): This is a reversal of the Small side bet. This time, you win if the cards dealt during a hand total five or six. That means you're relying on the third card rule to kick in, and the Banker or Player draws cards. This bet has a house edge of 4.27%.
- Super Six (Result: Pays 12:1): This side bet will payout if the total of cards drawn is six. To achieve this, both the Banker and Player draw cards as per the third card rule. At 29.98%, the house has a massive edge with this side bet.
- Dragon Bonus (Result: Up to 30:1): You win this bet if the Player wins via a Natural with a winning margin of at least 4 points. The payout you receive depends on that winning margin. The minimum win is 1:1 if by 4 points and up to 30:1 if by 9 points. One of the better side bets, the house edge is 2.65%.
- Dragon 7 (Result: 40:1): If the Banker draws a third card and wins with a value of 7, you win this side bet. The house edge shoots back up with this one up to 7.61%.
- 4-5-6 Bet (Result: 3:2 for four and 2:1 for five or six): When placing this bet, you choose how many cards you think will get dealt in total, ranging from 4 to 6. The house edge for each value is 5.27% for four and 4.35% for both five and six.
- All Red (Result: 22:1 for Red or 24:1 for Black): This is a bet on the Player's hand constituting all red or black cards. The house edge for this bet is a whopping 13.76%.
How to Win at Baccarat Using Popular Baccarat Tips
Baccarat is a game of chance, so there is no sure-fire way to ensure you always finish a session with profit. However, by utilizing some of the tips below, you can make sure you give yourself the best chance of success. The idea is to play smart, avoid chasing losses, make the right bets, and use solid bankroll management.
- Bet on the Banker: Betting on the Banker's hand should bring you more wins than any other bet. As it has the lowest house edge, try to place this bet as often as possible unless it has already won several times.
- Use Tie Bets Sparingly: While the 8:1 payout will tempt you, the tie bet will come in once every ten hands on average. As the house edge of 14.36% shows, this is easily the worst bet of the three main bets. Only consider this bet if there has not been a tie for a very long time.
- Consider Baccarat Betting Systems/Strategies: We talk about Baccarat strategies in the next section, and sometimes, these can help you to minimize losses and maximize hot streaks. Often, they involve increasing or decreasing the bet size after a losing or winning hand.
- Stay Away from Baccarat Side Bets: If you're the type of online gambler who likes to play by the numbers, side bets are not for you. In the main, these have a huge house edge, and thus, you should avoid them.
- Practice Bankroll Management: The best way to ensure you always stand a chance is to stretch out your bankroll so that you can enjoy many rounds. There is no point betting your whole budget on a single round of Baccarat. Decide on a betting amount that is a percentage of your bankroll, and stick to it.
How to Win at Baccarat Using Popular Baccarat Strategies
As with other casino games, such as Roulette and Blackjack, players often like to implement strategies into their gameplay. While these will not guarantee success at the Baccarat table, some players swear by them. Usually, these are progressive betting strategies that involve increasing or decreasing bets a certain after a win/loss or following a set betting pattern.
As we have a dedicated baccarat strategies guide, we will not go into each of these strategies in too much detail and instead give you a brief description of many of the most commonly used.
Martingale Baccarat Strategy
The idea with the Martingale strategy is to bet the same amount each time but then double the bet after a loss. Even if you continue to lose, you must continue to double your bet in the next game. Finally, once you win, you will cover all previous losses and should be 1 unit in the green. The problem with this strategy (and some others) is a losing streak could require placing very large bets. You need a large bankroll to cover this. Also, if you lose long enough, you might reach the maximum bet limit on the table - which is bad news.
Paroli Baccarat Strategy
Almost the opposite to the Martingale, the Paroli requires you to double your bet after a win. You continue to do this until a lost bet. At that point, you return to your original bet value and start again. It is designed to take advantage of winning streaks while protecting from losing streaks by putting back to your original wager.
James Bond Baccarat Strategy
The James Bond is one of the more complex Baccarat strategies, although it is easy to use once you know how. You start by deciding how much you want to bet each round. You then bet 70% of that stake on the Banker, 25% on the Player, and 5% on the Tie. This bet is designed to cover all potential outcomes while leaning on the Banker bet the most.
1-3-2-6 Baccarat Strategy
This is similar to the Paroli strategy in terms of increasing your bets after a win and going back to your minimum bet after a loss. However, when you win, you follow a set betting pattern. After your first bet (1), if you win, you triple (3) your bet. If you win again, you bet two (2) times your original bet, and if you're lucky enough to win, you bet six (6) times your original bet. This is designed to maximize winning streaks and prevent you from betting too much if you run into a losing streak.
1-3-2-4 Baccarat Betting System
The 1-3-2-4 follows the same premise as the 1-3-2-6 baccarat strategy but is more passive. Instead of betting six times your original bet on the third win of the sequence, you bet four times the original stake instead.
Different Baccarat Games to Play
While most casinos will have plenty of games featuring the standard Baccarat rules, there are some other baccarat variants you're likely to run into.
- No Commission Baccarat: The key selling point of No Commission Baccarat is hinted at in the name. You no longer have to pay a commission on the Banker bet. However, the baccarat rules have changed, so while you now get a 1:1 payout on occasion, the lack of commission means you're paid 1:2 or 0.5:1 if the Banker wins with an eight (and sometimes a six).
- Baccarat Squeeze: This follows the original Baccarat rules, including the third card rule, but is a variant found at online casinos that utilizes additional cameras. The live dealer will squeeze out the cards slowly to add a dramatic effect to each hand.
- Speed Baccarat: As the name suggests, this is a sped-up online baccarat variant. There is less time to place bets, and the cards are dealt quicker.
- Dragon Tiger: Dragon Tiger is a simplified version of Baccarat that involves just a single initial card dealt to both positions.
- Multiplier Baccarat Variations: One of the most popular Baccarat variants online are titles involving random multipliers. These multipliers will be randomly assigned to the main bets, meaning there is a chance you can win larger payouts than normal.
- Progressive Jackpot Baccarat Games: Some titles will even offer the chance of triggering a progressive jackpot. A percentage of every wager is added to the jackpot, ensuring it consistently grows. To win the jackpot, both the Banker and the Player must have an Ace and an 8 of the same suit in their hands.
Play Baccarat Online Today
The great thing about Baccarat, or any casino game for that matter, is that you don't have to go to Macau or Las Vegas to play it. You can fire up this exciting game at most online casinos. The problem is, with so many to choose from, it is not always easy to find the right one. That is where we at Playcasino come into play. We have countless online casino reviews you can use to find the best online casinos. Take a look through, find the perfect platform, sign up, and start playing Baccarat online today! Just make sure you stick to smart bets and smart strategies!
