Baccarat Explained: How One Round Works from Deal to Result

Baccarat has a reputation as an exclusive, high-stakes game, often shown in films with tuxedos and quiet rooms. In reality, the rules are among the simplest on the casino floor, since players make almost no decisions. This article walks through one round and explains what each bet means, in neutral terms, so you can follow the game if you ever see it played.

The aim of the game

Two hands are dealt: the Player hand and the Banker hand. These are just labels. You are not obliged to be the player or the banker, and neither side is your own hand. The goal is to bet on which hand will finish closest to 9, or whether the two will tie.

How cards are counted

Baccarat uses a special counting system:

• Cards from 2 through 9 are worth their face value.
• Tens, jacks, queens, and kings are worth zero.
• Aces are worth one.

A hand's total is the last digit of the sum. For example, 7 plus 8 equals 15, so the hand is worth 5. A 9 and a 6 add up to 15, also worth 5. The highest possible total is 9.

The deal

The dealer gives two cards each to the Player and Banker hands. If either hand has a total of 8 or 9 on the first two cards, it is called a natural, and no more cards are drawn. The higher natural wins, and equal totals result in a tie.

If neither hand has a natural, the drawing rules decide whether a third card is dealt.

The drawing rules

The rules are fixed, and the dealer applies them automatically, so players do not need to memorize them. In general:

• The Player hand draws a third card with a total of 0 to 5 and stands on 6 or 7.
• The Banker hand follows a slightly more complex table that depends on its own total and on the Player's third card.

Because the choices are predetermined, a round of baccarat is entirely a matter of chance once the bets are placed. No skill in the playing of hands is involved.

The three bets

Players choose from three main bets:

1. Player: wins if the Player hand finishes closer to 9. It pays 1 to 1.
2. Banker: wins if the Banker hand is closer. It also pays 1 to 1, but most casinos take a 5 percent commission on winnings, because the Banker hand wins slightly more often.
3. Tie: wins if both hands have the same total. It usually pays 8 to 1, though some tables differ.

What each bet costs

The average cost of each bet differs. Under common rules with several decks, the Banker bet costs roughly 1 percent of the money wagered, the Player bet costs a little more at roughly 1.2 percent, and the Tie bet costs much more, around 14 percent at 8 to 1. Exact figures depend on the number of decks and on the rules, so treat them as approximations.

This is a good illustration of what house edge means in practice. The tie bet pays a large amount, which looks attractive, but it costs far more per dollar than the other two.

Scorecards and patterns

Many baccarat tables provide small cards or screens showing the history of results. Some players study them for trends. Because each round is independent, past results do not predict future ones. The patterns are records, not forecasts.

Comparing it with other games

In blackjack, the player's choices influence the cost. In baccarat, there are no such choices, which makes it simple to follow but also means you cannot reduce the average cost by playing well. The only decision is which bet to place, and how much to spend.

Keep it in proportion

Baccarat can feature high table minimums and a calm atmosphere that makes time pass quickly. Set a budget before you sit down, and consider the minimum bet carefully, since a few rounds at a high minimum can use up a limit faster than you expect. Gambling is for adults only, and the legal age varies by place.

Frequently asked questions

Why is there a commission on the Banker bet? The Banker hand wins slightly more often than the Player hand because of the drawing rules, so the commission balances the payout.

Can I improve my chances with card counting? Card counting offers little practical benefit in baccarat, and casinos use many decks and continuous shuffling in some games.

Is the tie bet a good value? Its high payout hides a high average cost. It is generally considered the most expensive bet at the table.