What Is Baccarat?
Baccarat is a card comparison game played between two hands: the Player and the Banker. Despite the names, you're not actually playing as either — you're simply betting on which hand will win, or whether the result will be a tie. The dealer handles all the card drawing according to fixed rules, which makes baccarat one of the most passive — and most misunderstood — table games in a casino.
The Basic Rules
Each hand is dealt two cards. Card values work as follows:
- Ace = 1 point
- 2–9 = face value
- 10, Jack, Queen, King = 0 points
If either hand totals 8 or 9 from the first two cards, that's called a natural — no more cards are drawn. Otherwise, a third card may be drawn based on a fixed set of drawing rules. The hand closest to 9 wins.
Totals above 9 drop the tens digit — so a hand of 7 + 6 = 13, which counts as 3.
The Three Bet Types
| Bet | Pays | House Edge (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Player Win | 1:1 | ~1.24% |
| Banker Win | 1:1 (minus 5% commission) | ~1.06% |
| Tie | 8:1 | ~14.4% |
The Banker bet carries the lowest house edge of any standard bet in baccarat. The 5% commission on Banker wins is how the casino accounts for its statistical advantage on that outcome. The Tie bet, while tempting due to its 8:1 payout, carries a significantly higher house edge and is generally considered unfavorable over time.
What the Drawing Rules Actually Mean
Many players are put off by the third-card drawing rules, but you don't need to memorize them — the dealer (or software, in online versions) handles everything automatically. What's worth knowing is that:
- The drawing rules are fixed and non-negotiable — neither you nor the dealer makes decisions about them
- They apply equally to every hand, every time
- The rules slightly favor the Banker hand, which is why the commission exists
Live Dealer Baccarat
Many online casinos offer live dealer baccarat, where a real dealer broadcasts from a studio and manages physical cards. The rules are identical to standard baccarat. Live versions often include side bets — such as Player Pair or Banker Pair — which can add variety but typically carry a higher house edge than the main bets.
Key Takeaway
Baccarat is a game of pure chance with no skill-based decisions once you've placed your bet. Its appeal lies in its simplicity and low house edge on the Banker bet. If you're new to table games and want something straightforward to start with, baccarat is a solid choice — just steer clear of the Tie bet.