Baccarat Rules
Baccarat is a popular, high-stakes casino game played worldwide. In spite of the word "Baccarat" meaning "zero" in Italian, the player's goal in this game is to get as close as possible to 9, with 0 actually being the player's worst possible score. In Baccarat, cards are dealt to two hands, aptly named the "Player" and the "Banker". You can choose to bet on either the Player, the Banker, a tie, or any combination of the three. People take turns acting as the Player or the Banker, but this game can also be played by people betting on the player's or banker's hand. Unlike a Blackjack hand, a Baccarat hand cannot go "bust" or over. Aces are worth 1, face cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings) are worth 10, and all other cards are worth their numerical value. Only the second digit of the total counts toward the player's score. For example, a player holding a 7 and a Queen would have a total of 17. In Baccarat, this hand's value is a 7. Another example would be a player holding a 6 and a 5. Even though the cards add up to 11, this hand's value would merely be 1.
A game of Baccarat begins with both the Player and the Banker being dealt two cards. If either hand totals 8 or 9, called Natural hands, the game is stopped and that hand wins. If both hands have 8 or 9, the result is a tie. If neither hand totals 8 or 9, the dealer instructs players on the next step according to the Baccarat rulebook (more on these rules in the upcoming paragraph). As the rules of Baccarat are enforced by online casino dealers, a player does not necessarily need to know the precise rules of the game. They are however good to know if you'd like to keep up with the flow and action of the game.
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The Player must draw a card if his hand ranges in value from 1-5, where as he must stand on hands ranging in value from 6-7. The Banker's decision making process is slightly more complex, as it alters based on the Player's cards. If the Banker's hand value ranges from 0-5 and the Player stands, then the Banker must draw a card. Given the same scenario of the Player standing, the Banker must always stand on 6-7. If the Player draws a third card, then the Banker might be required to draw a card as well. Refer to the chart on the left for details on specific scenarios.
The payout on winning bets is 1-1. The odds of victory are slightly in favor of the Banker, with him winning 45.84% of games, and the Player winning 44.61% of games. 9.55% of games will be a tie. Many live casinos, as well as online casinos will offer the opportunity to bet on a tie. Such a bet usually pays out 1-8. Betting on a tie is mathematically the worst best you can place, as the casino has a 14% edge in this scenario. Occasionally, you'll find a casino that will offer 1-9 odds on such a bet. This improves the odds only slightly, and betting on a tie is still a mathematically unadvisable one. |
In live casinos, a Baccarat table will often be situated in a roped off area or behind closed curtains. This is intended to give the game a more exclusive feel, and to entice high rollers seeking privacy to play. A Baccarat table seats 14 players, with the dealer typically seated beside player #1. Two other casino dealers are on hand as well to manage bets, pay out winnings, and keep track of the house's 5% commission on winning bets placed on the Banker. This 5% commission is due when a player leaves the table, allowing for better game flow and fewer interruptions. A player that chooses to act as the Banker is not financially responsible for the Bank. He merely acts as the Banker, and can bet on the Player is he so desires. While many Baccarat players feel as though the best bet is one on the Player, this is a fallacy. Mathematically, the best bet is on the Banker in spite of the 5% commission for the house. As mentioned above, the odds of victory are not all that different however, which is why a bet on the Player is not such a foolish one. To assist you with visualizing the game, refer to the illustration of a Baccarat table on the right. Anyone considering playing this game would certainly benefit from reading our Baccarat Strategy Guide, as well as our Baccarat Terms glossary.