How to Play Baccarat: Rules, Odds and Bets Explained
By John Isaac,Editor at online-gambling.com
John Isaac
Editor at online-gambling.com | Rules Difficulty | Medium |
|---|---|
| RTP | 82.93% – 98.94% |
| Online Variations | RNG and Live Games |
| How to Win | Top Tips |
Free Baccarat Online – Try Our Simulator
Baccarat is one of the most popular table games, both online and in land-based casinos. Its rules are easy to learn and its payouts are straightforward, which makes it a good starting point for new players.
The best way to see how the game works is to try it. You can play a free baccarat demo right here:
PlayHow to Play Baccarat – Getting Started
We’ve already mentioned that the game is easy to play, so let’s go through the details. To play, you’ll need to find a baccarat table, which may vary in terms of limits and seats. The object of the game is always to have a number as close to 9 as possible, which is the highest number you can get in baccarat.
To start, four cards are dealt face-up from a casino shoe holding 8 decks: two for the ‘player’ and two for the ‘banker’. Those are two of the three available options you can bet on.
Therefore, you can place bets either on the player or the banker, depending on which combination you think will be higher. You can also place a bet for a ‘tie’, or in some baccarat variations whether the player or the banker will have a pair in their combination.
Some of those bets are illustrated on the table which you can see pictured below:
Baccarat Rules – Beginner’s Guide
Since we’ve got some of the basic principles out of the way, it’s time to go through the rules of the baccarat game. The first thing you should note is that there are three different table layouts: baccarat online layout, a mini and a big table layout.
The online and mini tables are usually similar, while the big version has higher stakes, more seats and is mostly VIP player-oriented. Regardless of whether you play baccarat online or at a land-based operator, here are the basic rules which always apply:
- All cards from ace to nine represent their true value.
- Face cards are counted as zero points.
- If you have a Queen and 3 combination, that counts only as three.
- You can place bets on player/banker, tie or pair.
- Winning banker bets pay a 5% commission.
- There are certain baccarat drawing rules that apply.
Those are the main things you’ll have to take into consideration and if they seem too difficult on paper, you’ll see that with a little bit of practice you’ll master them in no time!
The game is widely available across online casinos, which is an advantage for fans and for those of you who are still learning the basics. When it comes to the payouts, the game is simpler than you think, so make sure to check the details about them below!
One rule that confuses beginners is the third card. You never decide this yourself: the drawing rules are fixed and the dealer applies them automatically. The player hand is completed first, and the banker’s action depends on the player’s third card:
| Hand Total | Player | Banker |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 | Draws a third card | Draws a third card |
| 3 | Draws a third card | Draws, unless the player’s third card is an 8 |
| 4 | Draws a third card | Draws if the player’s third card is 2–7 |
| 5 | Draws a third card | Draws if the player’s third card is 4–7 |
| 6 | Stands | Draws if the player’s third card is 6–7 |
| 7 | Stands | Stands |
| 8–9 | Natural (both hands stand) | Natural (both hands stand) |
If the player stands on 6 or 7, the banker follows the same rule as the player: draw on 0–5, stand on 6 or 7. If either hand shows 8 or 9 from the first two cards, no third card is dealt.
Odds and Payouts
Maybe one of the most important factors around every game is the payouts it provides players. Generally speaking, payouts show how much money you’ll win in return for your winning wager. For example, if you bet 5 dollars on a bet of 8:1 and you win, the money you’ll be paid is 40 dollars.
Another thing you should always have in mind is that casino games are designed in a way that the house always has an advantage in odds making. Speaking of that, we’ve listed the payouts and the odds for the types of baccarat bets in the following table:
| Baccarat Bet | Payout | Chance to Win | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banker | 1:1 (minus 5% commission) | 45.86% | 1.06% |
| Player | 1:1 | 44.62% | 1.24% |
| Tie | 8:1 or 9:1 | 9.52% | 14.36% (at 8:1) |
Although these are the standard payouts and odds, you should consider the fact that various versions of baccarat might pay differently.
Apart from that, different operators and software providers can affect the ways you’re paid. To be prepared for what to expect, we always encourage our readers to read the game information list carefully before you start playing.
House Edge and RTP
Regardless of whether we’re talking about baccarat or any other gambling game, there’s always a house edge involved.
This term is used as a synonym for casino benefit, which is basically a long-term mathematical advantage of the casino over players. Depending on the bets, this advantage might be different, but remember that if the percentage is higher, it means that the casino is more likely to beat you. Below we’ve added the house edge for all of the three different baccarat bets, so make sure to explore them:
| Baccarat Bet | House Edge |
|---|---|
| Banker | 1.06% |
| Player | 1.24% |
| Tie | 14.36% |
Since we’ve got the house edge out of the way, you might be interested in knowing more about the return-to-player rate, or simply RTP. This indicator shows the theoretical percentage of wagered money which the casino expects to be returned to the player.
In terms of baccarat, the RTP varies from 82.93% to 98.94%, depending on the game version and the software provider.
Baccarat Games – Top Online Variations
Due to its popularity, baccarat has evolved in terms of rules and in various parts of the world might be played differently. Although the combinations themselves remain the same, slight differences can be found throughout the available baccarat versions.
These are mostly related to payouts and lack of commissions, for example. Some baccarat variations might also have additional bets as possibilities.
Whatever the case may be, baccarat has a long reputation of being one of the most preferred casino games and that’s why there are lots of RNG and live game variations. We’ve listed some of the most popular ones below, so make sure to check them out for yourself:
- EZ Baccarat
- Punto2000
- Chemin De Fer
- Baccarat Banque
With so much interest in the game, many software companies have created their own versions of baccarat. Let’s continue with the available RNG variations!
RNG Games – Your Top Baccarat Options
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the types of table games, you should note that there are two main variations: RNG and live tables.
While the latter is pretty self-explanatory, RNG stands for random number generator, which means that there’s an algorithm in place of the table game. Once that algorithm is triggered, a winning number or combination is shown.
Some players think that those games are unfair. In fact, third-party independent companies like eCOGRA, for instance, analyze this and check whether a game is set according to the industry’s standards. With baccarat’s immense popularity, it’s no wonder that there are a lot of software providers who offer versions of the game and you can find some of them below:
| Baccarat Game | RTP | Software | Mobile-Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baccarat Gold | 98.94% | Quickfire | Yes |
| High Limit Baccarat | 98.99% | Microgaming | Yes |
| 3D Baccarat | 98.94% | IronDog | Yes |
Play Live Baccarat Online – All You Must Know
Since we’ve already mentioned live gameplay, here’s the dedicated paragraph for this baccarat type as well. Once you sit on one of the tables, you’ll definitely feel like you’re in a world-class casino, since there are a lot of providers that offer outstanding live baccarat versions.
We’ve added some of the most popular baccarat variations you can play in live-action:
- Speed Baccarat by Evolution Gaming
- Dragon Tiger by Evolution Gaming
- No Commission Baccarat by Evolution Gaming
- Live Baccarat by Microgaming
- Prestige Baccarat by Playtech
Live baccarat tables are streamed in real time with professional dealers, and most providers optimize them for mobile play as well. The gameplay follows the same rules and drawing order as the RNG versions.
Ready to play for real money? Rules and availability vary by location. If you’re playing from the Philippines, see our Philippines baccarat guide; US players can start with our US online gambling guide.
Baccarat Tips – Improve Your Odds to Win
Playing the baccarat game is basically a coinflip. Whether you decide to place a banker or player bet, the odds for them are relatively the same, with the exclusion of the tie, of course. Regardless of your strategy, the main baccarat odds remain the same in any case.
Our most important advice is to play the game for fun and not for any other financial reason, as this way you’ll be able to enjoy it fully. Once you follow the simple guidelines below, you will have the basics to be a responsible player:
- Learn the rules – you can’t get started with a particular game unless you know how to make certain combinations. Master the rules as it’s a fundamental necessity.
- Improve your skills by playing free baccarat – being able to see the actual gameplay without risking any funds is a great way to get started!
- Choose the right baccarat game for you – as we’ve already discussed there are other baccarat versions which you might find interesting. Make sure to choose the one which suits you best!
- Plan your budget – remember that you’re risking your own money and responsible gambling is critical. Decide what you can afford before you play and never chase losses.
- Know when to stop – baccarat rounds are quick, so set a time limit as well as a budget, and take regular breaks.
With the most important points out of the way, it’s time to admit that there is a way to strategize your play, although it doesn’t guarantee success.
There are some tips worth mentioning, and if you’re an experienced baccarat player, you might have even heard or used some of them. Either way, we’ve listed some strategic approaches below which you might want to check out!
Top Baccarat Strategy – Would It Help You Win
Depending on the version you prefer playing and mostly on your main goal when you’re at the baccarat table, different strategies can be applied. Whether you have a more aggressive approach or prefer to slowly build up your bankroll, here are the best tips for developing a strategy. Bear in mind that these don’t guarantee a 100% success rate!
- Avoid making tie bets – they are the riskiest!
- Banker is the best bet – it has a small advantage!
- Money management is important – look after your funds!
- Mini-baccarat can be quite dangerous – it’s quite fast and dynamic.
- Go with player or banker bets until they lose.
Those points may be quite valid after you analyze your past gaming sessions, and sometimes they might even grant you great winnings.
Our most important advice is left for last: play with bets which you can afford, or in other words, don’t risk too many funds. This is always beneficial and although on your winning decisions you’ll earn small, remember that when you lose, at least it will be a minimal amount!
Final Thoughts
Baccarat is an easy game to pick up: the dealer handles the third-card rules for you, and the three main bets are simple to compare. That makes it an interesting choice for newcomers and experienced players alike.
Before playing for real money, try the free demo and get familiar with the odds and payouts. Stick to banker or player bets, set a budget, and remember that no strategy removes the house edge.
Baccarat isn’t a game which everybody likes. If you’re a fan of ball-spinning action, our online roulette guide might be just the thing you’re looking for! You can find lots of valuable information along the way.
Popular Questions
We’ve gathered the questions players ask most often about baccarat and answered them below.
1. How to play baccarat?
Learning to play is easy but essentially you just need to know the rules, sit at a table and enjoy the action the game brings. If that doesn't work out for you, you can always check our suggestion from the last paragraph.
2. What is baccarat?
Baccarat is a card game where the objective is to place a certain bet and guess with it the outcome of a winning combination. Apart from that, there are lots of software providers which create different versions and some of them you can check in our live game paragraph!
3. How to win baccarat for sure?
Although there's no bulletproof way of guaranteeing endless winning streaks, there is a way to come up with a strategy. In order to strategize your play, you would also need to have experience and play regularly, which can easily be done through the best baccarat app we've listed above!
4. How to consistently win at baccarat?
We hope you do win as frequently as possible but in order to that, there are certain fundamentals which you need to master first. By checking the advice from our tips section you will be able to be one step ahead!
5. How many betting positions are there on a baccarat table?
Once you sit at the baccarat table, you will be able to bet either on player, banker or tie. You can also place bets on player pair or banker pair in some variations. If you're eager to find out more, make sure to check our rules paragraph.
6. How to deal baccarat?
Dealing baccarat will be something which you'll do only if you're sitting at a big baccarat table, where the stakes are higher. In mini-baccarat tables there is always a dealer involved who deals two cards for banker and player. For more details, check our dedicated 'how to play' paragraph.
7. How to count cards in baccarat?
Add 1 to your count when an ace, two or three are dealt, add 2 when a 4 is dealt. When it comes to 5,7 or 8, subtract 1 and if 6 hits – subtract 2 from your count. The other cards are neutral but you should note that this may not work on the RNG baccarat tables.
8. What is the best baccarat strategy?
This depends mostly on what you're goal is. Furthermore, it also depends on the table and the baccarat game variation, so there is no unified best strategy. However, we've added some key points which might be useful in the the strategy paragraph above
9. What is mini-baccarat?
Especially popular among Asian players, mini-baccarat is a smaller version of Punto banco and has lower limits. The table is also smaller than the regular baccarat table. If you want to know more about different versions check our games paragraph.
10. How to make money playing baccarat?
Placing reasonable bets is always a good option and you should also know that baccarat is mostly a game of chance. Bonuses can also be helpful in that direction, so whenever you can take advantage of such offers and check the best baccarat bonus offers above.
11. What are the best online baccarat casinos?
The best online baccarat casinos are the ones that fulfill certain requirements successfully, such as bonuses, payment options, game variety and more. We've also taken the liberty to list some of them so make sure to check our dedicated top operators paragraph!
12. What is the baccarat house edge?
Тhe baccarat house edge is the advantage that the casino has over players. This is a factor which is present at all gambling games and if you want to know more details about its percentage in baccarat, make sure to check our house edge paragraph.