Baccarat Guide

Written by: Sadonna Price, OUSC Expert in Online Casinos and Poker
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Baccarat is a thrilling yet simple casino table game. Many high rollers are drawn to Baccarat, an Asian-style game that can offer big payouts quickly. The goal is to bet whether the Player or Banker’s hand will win or that the game will result in a tie.

This in-depth OUSC baccarat guide will teach you the different aspects of this popular casino game. Learn how the game is set up and played using a simple step-by-step guide. Find essential tips and a general baccarat strategy to improve your odds of winning.

Best Baccarat Online Casinos

The following table highlights the best online casinos to play baccarat. Each site has been reviewed for safety, game fairness, and trusted payment methods.

RANK CASINO BONUS # of BACCARAT GAMES START
1 Bovada Casino Logo BONUS 125% up to $3,750 # of BACCARAT GAMES 2 Play Now
2 Super Slots Logo BONUS 250% up to $6,000 # of BACCARAT GAMES 4 Play Now
3 Red Dog Casino Logo BONUS $8,000 Welcome Bonus # of BACCARAT GAMES 6 Play Now
4 Wild Casino Logo BONUS 100% up to $5,000 # of BACCARAT GAMES 5 Play Now
5 BetUS Logo BONUS 150% up to $3,000 # of BACCARAT GAMES 3 Play Now

Baccarat Rules

Baccarat, also known as “punto banco, “means “player-banker.” The name explains how wagering happens in the game. The game’s object is to have the highest hand, with nine as the best hand possible.

Baccarat Hand Values

Baccarat Game Hand Values

At the beginning of each round of baccarat, each hand is dealt two cards. The hand’s value is determined by adding the two card values together. Only the second number is used, so a 10-card is worth “0”; all face cards are “0”. The count rolls over at 9, meaning a 5 and 6 card equals “1” and not “11”.

The player with the higher hand wins. If a tie happens, bets are returned, except for those who bet on the tie. Most casinos have 1:1 baccarat payouts for banker or player hands and 8:1 for ties. Some casinos offer 9:1 for ties. In either case, it’s a bad bet.

How to Play Baccarat

Follow this step-by-step baccarat guide and start playing this classic casino game in no time.

  1. Place a Bet

    Choose to bet on the Player, the Banker, or a Tie. You can bet on only one option per hand.
  2. Deal the Cards

    The player hand and banker hand each receive two cards, dealt face-up.
  3. Player Third Card

    Determine whether the player’s hand receives a third card. 0-5 receives a card, while 6-9 does not.
  4. Banker Third Card

    Determine whether the player’s hand receives a third card. 0-5 gets a card, while 6-9 does not.
  5. Resolve the Bet

    Compare hands to see which of the three bets win. Winners receive their payouts at this point.

Baccarat Bet Types

Baccarat players have three betting options for the main game to start each hand. You can choose between – the Player, the Banker, and the Tie bet. Your best options are the Player and Banker bets, which have roughly the same house edge. The banker’s hand has better odds, but you have to pay a 5% commission on wins. The player hand odds are not as good.

Player Bet Rules

The player draws first in any hand of baccarat. The Player bet has a house edge of 1.52%. When you choose to bet on the Player’s hand, follow the baccarat rules chart below.

Baccarat Game Players Hand Rules Chart

Player Hand & Third Card

  • 0-5: A third card is always drawn if the player’s hand is 0 through 5.
  • 6-7: No third card is drawn if the player’s hand is 6 or 7. The banker might draw a third card in this scenario.
  • 8-9: Neither hand receives a third card if either the player or banker’s hands are 8 or 9. The winner of the hand is determined immediately.

Banker Bet Rules

The banker bet rules follow the same actions. These are more complicated because they are dependent on the hand value the player is holding. To help, we’ve created this baccarat rules chart. While the software automatically plays the hand for you in an online baccarat game, you’ll enjoy the game more if you know why you received a card. The Banker bet has a house edge of 0.79%, but you have to pay a 5% commission on winning hands.

Baccarat Game Bankers Hand Rules Chart

Banker Hand & Third Card

  • 0-2: If the banker’s hand is 0, 1, or 2, the banker always hits if the player hits.
  • 3: If the banker’s hand is 3, the banker hits unless the player’s hand is 8.
  • 4: If the banker’s hand is 4, the banker hits on a 2 through 7, but stands on 0, 1, 8, or 9.
  • 5: If the hand is a 5, the banker hits on a 4 through 7, but stands on a 0, 1, 2, 3, 8, or 9.
  • 6: If the hand is a 6, the banker hits only when the player’s hand is a 6 or 7.

Tie Bet Rules

Not Recommended Online Casinos

The tie bet wins if the Player hand and Banker hand tie. This is relatively rare but has the biggest payout in baccarat. Unfortunately, the house edge is over 15%, making this a sucker bet.

Baccarat Payouts

The payouts of baccarat vary according to the number of decks used in the shoe. The more decks used, the higher the house edge is. The differences are most considerable between one-deck baccarat and multi-deck baccarat. The table below shows the house edge according to the three most popular forms of baccarat.

WAGER1 DECK6 DECKS8 DECKSPAYOUT
Banker1.01%1.06%1.06%1:1
Player1.29%1.24%1.24%1:1
Tie15.75%14.44%14.36%9:1

Baccarat Table Setup

The baccarat table setup allows for three bets: Banker, Player, and Tie. Baccarat players are likely to find three types of baccarat games. Big table baccarat is traditional Punto Banco, in which one player acts as the Banker.

Mini Baccarat is similar to traditional baccarat, as the house deals the cards in a much faster version of the game. The players have the option of betting on the Banker or Player’s hands. Take a look at this baccarat table chart to understand the layout.

Baccarat Game Table Setup

Baccarat Casino Games

There are several baccarat game variants. Online gaming designers develop variations of these games for either downloadable or live casinos, so it pays for players to associate these terms with baccarat.

Punto Banco

Punto Banco Baccarat Game

This is the game played in the roped-off section of most American casinos. Punto Banco rules are the basis for baccarat rules.

Chemin de Fer

Chemin de Fer Baccarat Game

Play this version in France and Monte Carlo. Chemin de Fer has room for strategy. Before playing, read a Chemin de Fer strategy guide.

Mini Baccarat

Mini Baccarat Game

Mini Baccarat uses Punto Banco rules but plays with a dealer, making it faster. Mini Baccarat and Punto Banco have the same basic rules.

Baccarat Variations

Baccarat is a popular casino card game, which is why a few variations of the game have been created and distributed. Check out some of the other baccarat versions below.

  • 2 to 1 Baccarat
  • 7 Up Baccarat

How to Play Baccarat and Win

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Baccarat strategy is minimal, though wise players should be familiar with money management, the drawbacks to progressive betting, and the dangers of tie bets.

Baccarat cheats, like edge-sorting, cannot be employed against casino software, so players need to be aware that specific strategies in baccarat do not apply.

  • Avoid Progressive Betting

    Progressive betting is a way to beat the casino, but they don’t. Instead, they increase the chances you’ll lose a lot of money. Martingale bet techniques and baccarat pattern strategies stipulate exponential bets, so the risk of losing your whole bankroll is much larger.
  • Stay Away from the Tie Bet

    The Tie bet is a sucker bet, worse than the house edge on any slot machine you’ve ever played. Never make the tie bet because you’ll lose ten times more money consistently betting on this proposition.
  • Always Bet on the Banker

    If you want a one-step strategy for baccarat betting, always make the banker bet. The house edge is smaller, despite the commission paid to the casino.
  • Bankroll Management

    Players can stretch their bankroll by using money management techniques, limiting losses, and maximizing winnings. Money management doesn’t give players the edge over the casinos; it throttles your betting to an amount that lengthens your gaming sessions.

Money Management Table (Using $100 Bankroll)

Experts suggest 3% to 10% bets are the best range, depending on your preference or aversion for risk. We recommend stipulating wagers of $3.00, $5.00, and $10.00 with a $100 bankroll.

  • 3% Wagered Each Hand @ 1.06% = 3,143 hands before losing your bankroll.
  • 5% Wagered Each Hand @ 1.06% = 1,886 hands before losing your bankroll.
  • 10% Wagered Each Hand @ 1.06% = 943 hands before losing your bankroll.

Play Baccarat For Free

Are you ready to put your newfound knowledge to the test? Play baccarat for free and get a better feel of the game before trying the real thing!

Online Baccarat Gameplay

There are different ways you can enjoy baccarat. Whether you want a real-life casino experience or to play on the go, there’s a gameplay option for every type of player.

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Live Baccarat

Online gamblers wanting a game experience more similar to brick-and-mortar baccarat should try live dealer baccarat. Find live baccarat at online casinos, but supported with live casino software on its site section. Real-life dealers deal hands of baccarat while being filmed in a live studio in real-time.

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Mobile Baccarat

Play online baccarat at mobile casinos on your smartphone or tablet. Mobile casinos that offer baccarat support Android devices, iPhone, and iPad. Playing with an Android smartphone or an iPad tablet makes gambling for real money more convenient for rail commutes, vacations, or waits in an office.

Make Your Bets & Play Baccarat!

Baccarat is a great and simple game that gives players better odds of winning than other casino card games. This page has shown you how to play baccarat and the rules that come with it. Play at any of our recommended online casinos and start betting on the banker! Bookmark this page and refer back to this complete baccarat guide when it’s time to play.

Additional Baccarat Resources

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Sadonna Price

Sadonna Price OUSC Expert in Online Casinos and Poker

Sadonna is a former professional poker player. Passionate about writing and loves using her creativity to provide insight into the interesting gambling world.

Learn More About Sadonna