Baccarat has long held a reputation as the most exclusive, intimidating game on the casino floor.
Many beginners assume that a game favored by the elite must have incredibly complex rules and require deep strategic knowledge.
It is, fundamentally, nothing more than a sophisticated coin flip disguised behind French terminology.
Furthermore, Baccarat offers some of the absolute best mathematical odds available to a casino player.
We will guide you through your first hand so you can confidently approach the table like a seasoned high roller.
Understanding the Basic Goal of the Game
Your only job is to guess which of these two hands will end up closer to the magic number of nine.
Before any cards are dealt, you place your chips in one of three betting circles in front of you: Player, Banker, or Tie.
Once bets are placed, the dealer deals exactly two cards to the Player hand and two cards to the Banker hand.
If a hand receives a 9 and a 9, the sum is 18. Drop the "1", and the true value is an 8.
The hand with the final score closest to 9 wins the round. It is incredibly simple arithmetic.
The Dealer Does All the Work
The rules governing whether a third card is drawn are incredibly complex, based on a rigid mathematical matrix.
Looking at the third-card chart can cause a beginner to instantly panic and walk away from the table.
As a player, you make absolutely no decisions regarding drawing cards or standing.
This is why Baccarat is a game of pure, unadulterated chance; your choices cannot positively or negatively affect the outcome of the cards.
Do not let the complex mechanics of the dealer deter you from playing this incredibly simple game.
The Mathematics of the Baccarat Bets
The math clearly dictates that one of these bets is significantly superior to the other two.
However, because of the complex third-card rules, the "Banker" hand is mathematically designed to win slightly more often than the Player hand.
If you bet $100 on the Banker and win, the dealer will pay you $95 (keeping $5 as the commission).
Many professional players will simply sit at a table and stubbornly bet the Banker every single hand, completely ignoring the results board.
This discrepancy gives the casino a massive, predatory house edge of 14.36% on the Tie bet.
The Baccarat Cheat Sheet
The Goal: Bet on the hand (Player or Banker) that will finish closest to a total score of 9. The Player Bet: Pays 1 to 1. House Edge is 1.24%. A perfectly fine, safe bet to make. The Third Card Rule: A complex set of rules the dealer follows. You do not need to memorize or understand it. Mini-Baccarat: A faster, lower-limit version played on a smaller table. Perfect for beginners to learn the flow.
The Two Most Popular Card Games
AspectBlackjackBaccarat The OddsExcellent, but requires perfect memorizationVery good, guaranteed every time you bet Banker Mental EffortHigh focus required to avoid expensive mistakesRelaxed; sit back and watch the cards flip Stress LevelCan be stressful making the wrong callZero stress once the bet is placed
Do not let the high limits or the James Bond aesthetic intimidate you from enjoying this fantastic game.
If you are tired of memorizing Blackjack charts or staring blankly at slot machines, Baccarat is the perfect escape.
Good luck, and may you always draw a natural nine.