How To Play Baccarat – Your Guide To Winning

If you’re looking for a casino game that oozes style, has simple rules, and lets you feel like a high roller without overcomplicating things, you’re in the right place.

Baccarat offers some of the best odds at a casino. It does involve strategy and pure chance, but the appeal of baccarat is that it’s easy. It’s a simple guessing game with clear moves. There are no tricky decisions and no need to outsmart anyone. No wonder it made James Bond look so suave – you can focus more on your right eyebrow lift than card counting or outwitting your opponents.

This guide will break down how to play baccarat, covering the basics, betting options, and tips to keep you from making rookie mistakes. Whether you want to play baccarat for fun or master the game to impress onlookers (even if it’s just your dog), this guide puts you in the position to win this exciting game.

Baccarat Gameplay Step-by-Step

The greatest thing about baccarat is that even though it looks impressive, it’s incredibly easy to play – effortlessly cool, as many would say. This is baccarat explained:

1. Place Your Bets: You only have three betting options: place a bet on the player or banker or go rogue with a tie bet.
2. Cards Are Dealt: The dealer deals two cards to both the player and banker. These are the first hands dealt, and they determine the point totals.
3. Natural Win: If either hand totals 8 or 9, that’s a natural win, and the winning hand is paid out.
4. Third Card Rule: If no natural win happens, the player draws a third card if their total is 0-5. Otherwise, they stand.
5. Banker’s Turn: The banker’s hand wins if they have a stronger total. Otherwise, a third card is drawn for the banker based on strict rules that depend on the player’s third card.
6. Final Results: The hand wins if it’s closest to 9. If the player wins, the bet pays 1:1. If the banker wins, the same happens but with a small commission. If it’s a tie, you get paid 8:1.

Baccarat Table Explained

Unlike other table games, the baccarat table is refreshingly simple. It features three main betting options: the player box, the banker box, and the tie section. You choose which option you want to bet on and put your wager in one of these spots. If you’re playing online, it’s even easier: tap/click your betting chip and tap/click the circle correlated to the bet you want to make.

In real life, the felt table is marked clearly, too, so it’s easy to know where your chips go. You’ll likely play with other players. Each player has their own designated section for placing bets, while the dealer’s area sits at the center. The banker box and player box hold the hands in play so you can follow along.

Baccarat Basics

The basic rules of baccarat are easy. Your goal is to bet on the hand that wins the round – the player’s hand, the banker’s hand, or a tie. The hand closest to nine wins. But remember – even if you’re sitting at the table, you’re not the “player” in the traditional sense. In the game of baccarat, you’re simply betting on which hand you think will win (or a tie).

Each round begins with two cards dealt to both the banker and the player. Face cards and tens are worth zero, while other cards keep their face value. If a hand’s total is a two-digit number, only the second digit counts, so 15 becomes 5. 

What happens next depends on strict card rules. If either the player’s hand or the banker’s hand totals eight or nine right away, that’s a natural win, and no further cards are drawn. Otherwise, the player gets a third card if their total is 0-5. If the player stands, the banker draws a third card only if their total meets specific conditions.

If that sounds like a lot of rules and conditions, and you’re thinking, “I thought you said baccarat was simple!” Don’t worry. None of these decisions fall on your shoulders. The dealer (or RNG online) does all the heavy lifting (bless them). Your only job is to look cool and bet on the hand you think will win – and you’ve already got the first part down pat.

Now, let’s break down how the dealer and betting work.

Banker Rules

The banker’s hand plays by a strict set of card rules that depend on whether the player’s third card was drawn and what that card was. After the dealer deals the first two cards, here’s how the banker acts:

• If the banker’s hand totals 0-2, the banker draws a third card – no exceptions.
• If the banker’s hand totals 3, the banker draws unless the player’s third card is an 8.
• If the banker’s hand totals 4, the banker draws only if the player’s third card is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.
• If the banker’s hand totals 5, the banker draws only if the player’s third card is 4, 5, 6, or 7.
• If the banker’s hand totals 6, the banker draws only if the player’s third card is 6 or 7.
• If the banker’s hand totals 7, the banker stands – no more cards drawn.

Player Rules

The player’s hand also follows steadfast rules to determine whether a third card is drawn. After the first two cards are dealt, here’s what happens next:

• If the player’s hand totals 0-5, the player draws a third card.
• If the player’s hand totals 6 or 7, the player stands- no more cards are drawn.
• If the player’s hand totals 8 or 9, that’s a natural win, and the round ends immediately.

Player Bets, Banker Bets & Tie Bets

Now – unless you’re the dealer at a casino, set those rules aside. Because from your perspective, you only need to focus on the best bet.

You have three betting options in the game of baccarat: the player bet, the banker bet, or the tie bet. The player bet has a house edge of 1.24% and pays even money, meaning if you bet $10, you win $10. The banker bet also pays even money, but most casinos take a small commission because a bet on the banker has the lowest house edge, clocking in at 1.06%, and it wins slightly more often.

If you want to know why the banker has an edge, it’s because it acts last. This gives it a strategic advantage in drawing a third card, and it’s most often the winning bet. That’s why most casinos take a 5% commission for a banker win.

The tie bet offers the biggest payout with 8:1, but don’t be lured in. The odds are some of the worst in a casino at a yikes-worthy 14.36%.

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Baccarat Tips

Understanding the house edge is how to play baccarat and win. While the house edge is always lurking, you can secure the best odds by sticking to the banker bet – it’s statistically the best move. Sure, the casino takes a small commission, but the lower house edge makes it worth it. Just remember to avoid the tie bet (it’s a trap!), and let the game do the rest.

Don’t Chase Losses

Here’s a golden rule of any casino game: never chase losses. If you’re on a losing streak, doubling down on your original bet might feel tempting, but it’s a fast track to emptying your wallet. Stick to your plan, keep your bets consistent, and remember, baccarat is a marathon, not a sprint.

Don’t Over Complicate Strategies

Baccarat is not the time to reinvent the wheel. With only three betting options, there’s no need to overthink it. Fancy systems and complicated strategies might sound impressive, but they won’t change the fact that the banker bet is your best friend. Keep your bets straightforward and avoid the tie bet (seriously, it’s a sucker’s bet). Just stick to the basics and enjoy the ride.

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Is it easy to learn baccarat?

Absolutely. Baccarat is one of the easiest card games to pick up, which is why it’s a favorite among casual players and high rollers alike. Unlike games that require complex strategies or deep decision-making, baccarat keeps it simple. If you can place a bet, you can play baccarat.

If you’re just starting, Cafe Casino offers a Practice Mode where you can play baccarat for free. You can also test your skills in a live dealer casino, where human dealers live-stream the game using real-life professional equipment while you watch and bet from home.

Baccarat is easy to learn, thrilling to play, and gives you a reason to channel your inner Bond – no tux required. Stick to smart bets, avoid the tie, and let the cards fall where they may. Grab your martini (shaken, not stirred, obviously) and swagger to Cafe Casino to play.