Known for being a favorite game for serious high stakes players, baccarat is actually an easy game to learn. Originating from Europe, the game was spread to all continents and has become the most popular casino game in Asia. From the perspective of casino players, the rules for baccarat are straightforward, almost as if you are betting on the flip of a coin. Let me explain.
On the baccarat table, there are two main bets, plus one or more side bets. For the main bets, you must pick which one of two hands will be the higher hand: the Player hand or the Banker hand. Keep in mind that these are just the names for the two hands; they do not refer to a specific person or the house. After all bets are placed, the dealer will deal two cards one at a time to each hand, first to the Player and then the Banker. After both hands are dealt and turned face-up, a third card may be dealt to either or both hands as according to the rules for dealing the Player and Banker hands. You do not have to know the rules on whether a hand gets a third card or not; the dealer will take care of that. Though I will explain the process shortly. If the first two cards of either the Player or Banker hand total 8 or 9, then no third card is dealt to either and the round ends. Once all cards are dealt, both hands are compared. The one with the higher total wins. The highest score for a hand is a total of 9 while the lowest total is 0, also called a “baccarat.” Winning Player bets get paid at even money while winning Banker bets are paid at even money minus a 5% commission. If there is a tie, then both Player and Banker bets push.
When determining the score: aces are valued at 1 point, 2-9 are worth their pip value, and tens & face cards are worth zero. If the total points for a hand exceed 9, then only the last digit is used to determine the score. For example, if a hand’s first two cards are a 6 and a 5, they add up to 11, but only the last digit is used. Therefore the score for that hand is 1.
Now I will explain the rules for determining whether or not a hand is dealt a third card. As stated earlier, no third card is dealt if either the Player or Banker have a total of 8 or 9, which is called a “natural.” If there is no natural, then we take a look at the Player hand’s current total. If the total points of the initial two cards equal 0-5, then a third card will be dealt to the Player hand. If the total of the initial two cards equals 6 or 7, then no third card is dealt; the Player hand stands.
After the Player’s hand is settled, we move on to the Banker’s hand. If the Player had stood, then the rules for the Banker are identical: a third card is drawn if the Banker’s hand totals 0-5 and not if the total is 6 or 7. On the other hand, if the Player drew a third card, then that card is used to determine whether or not the Banker will also draw a third card.
Here are the rules:
- The Banker’s hand will always draw a third card if the initial two cards total 0, 1, or 2 and will always stand on a total of 7 no matter what the Player’s third card is.
- The Banker will always draw a third card on a total of 3 unless the Player’s third card is an 8; in that case, the Banker will stand.
- The Banker will draw a third card on a total of 4 if the Player’s third card is a 2-7, otherwise the Banker stands.
- The Banker will draw a third card on a total of 5 if the Player’s third card is a 4-7, otherwise the Banker stands.
- The Banker will draw a third card on a total of 6 if the Player’s third card is a 6 or 7, otherwise the Banker stands.
Now let’s briefly touch on other bets on the baccarat table. The most common side bet is the “Tie.” It wins when the Player and Banker hands have the same score, otherwise it loses. Payoff is 8 to 1.
Some tables will also have other side bets, such as the “Player Pair” and “Banker Pair”. A wager on either of these Pair Bets wins if the first two cards of that hand are a pair, otherwise it loses. Payoff is 11 to 1.
Most of you guys will likely be playing baccarat at a smaller table, which may be called “mini baccarat.” In mini baccarat, the dealer does all the work so all you have to think about is where to bet on. In the high limit room, you are more likely to find a bigger table. This so-called “big table baccarat” can not only fit more players, but also allow bettors to interact more with the game. One person betting on the Banker is typically allowed to deal the cards and is responsible for revealing the Banker hand. One person betting on the Player is dealt the Player hand and also has the honor of revealing that hand. Since cards dealt in Big Table Baccarat are only used once, bettors are free to bend the cards how they see fit when revealing the Player and Banker hands, sometimes in dramatic fashion!
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STRATEGY
As always with most casino games, every bet at the baccarat table has a built-in house advantage. For most folks, that means you will not be able to successfully beat the casino on this game over the long term. The good news is that baccarat is probably the best game to play for casino beginners as there is no skill required other than which bets to make. Let’s take a look at the house edge for each of the bets available at most tables:
- Player Bet (even money): 1.24%
- Banker Bet (even money minus 5% commission): 1.06%
- Tie Bet (8 to 1): 14.36%
- Player Pair or Banker Pair Bet (11 to 1): 10.36%
Therefore the best strategy is always make Banker Bets as that yields the lowest house advantage. Most baccarat players don’t play that way though and will usually alternate between betting on Player and Banker based on some perceived trend or streak. As with other forms of gambling, it does not matter. Past events cannot be used to predict future events. If you must alter your bets, at least the Player Bet also has a low house edge. Just avoid the Tie Bet, Pair Bets, and any other side bets you may come across.
For advanced players and those looking for an edge, I am aware that it is (in theory) possible to gain an advantage in some of the side bets through card counting. Just like with Blackjack, Baccarat is played with multiple decks, in this case eight, and are not shuffled until the cut card is reached, allowing for this possibility. It is beyond the scope of this video, but I have seen articles with the math shown on how certain side bets can be vulnerable to card counting. Feel free to explore with your own research if you are interested.
Thank you for reading this article on the game of Baccarat! Please check out my other casino gambling articles and subscribe to my YouTube channel. Best of luck on your next trip to the casino.
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