Baccarat Rules Guide for Banker and Players

What is the Objective of Baccarat

While it may seem confusing at first, the Baccarat rules are fairly simple and the objective is clear. The objective is to get as close to 9 as possible. While there may be more than 1 bettor on the table, the game is always played between the dealer and a player. Each gets a hand of two cards and bettors need to place their bets whether the player or the dealer gets closest to 9, or if it ends in a tie. In the following sections, we'll go into more details of the rules of Baccarat, the card values, and how to win.

Baccarat Card Values

Before diving more into the rules in Baccarat, it's important to go over the card values. As the objective of the game is to get closest to 9, that is the maximum value that the cards can have. Unlike other card games, the face cards 10, Jacks, Queen, and King have little to no value and are worth 0. The ace is worth 1 and all other cards are worth their face value. The values of the two cards are added up, so if you have a 2 and 5 for example, the value is 7. We mentioned that 9 is the maximum number in Baccarat and two cards are dealt in a hand, so how do you determine the value when the cards add up to greater than 9? It's really easy. When the value of the two cards added up is greater than 9, you drop the first number and remain with only the last unit digit. For example, if you have a 9 and 7, you add it up to 16, drop the 1 and you are left with a value of 6.

Casino Baccarat Game Rules and How to Play

The game is really simple, but before venturing into an online casino, knowing the rules of Baccarat is imperative. You bet whether the player or the banker gets closest to 9, or if they end in a tie. A common misconception in online Baccarat is that the player's hand represents the actual bettor, while the banker's hand the dealer. In reality, the players and bankers' hands are separate entities, so when players are betting on the player's hand winning, they aren't necessarily betting against the house. Baccarat is a great game because you only need to place your bet and relax as you let the dealer do their magic. It's important to note that when the player hand wins, it pays even money, and when the banker wins it's usually paid 95% as the casino retains 5%. The tie pays even more as it's 8 to 1, giving you the chance to win some hefty sums. In the following section, we'll go into even more detail about the specific rules for the player and banker rules and show you how to play Baccarat step by step.

• Player Hand Baccarat Rules

  The basic baccarat rules state that both banker and player hands contain two cards. However, there are instances when a third card can be drawn in order to get as close to 9 as possible. If neither hand has an 8 or a 9, a 3 card can be drawn. The players don't get a chance to draw a third card if the value is 6, or 7, either so, only if they have less than 6, can the dealer draw the third card.

• Banker Hand Baccarat Rules

  Like the player hand, the banker hand can also draw a third card if the value is less than 6. However, if the player stands i.e. doesn't draw a third card, then the banker can draw a third card on the 0-5 value of their hand. However, when a player draws a third card, the rules are a bit different, depending on the value of the card drawn by the player. This means that if the player does take a third card with a value of for example 2 or 3 then the dealer can draw with 0-4 values, and stand at 5-7. More on this specific hand rule will be explained in the table below.

How to Play Baccarat

Now that we've gone over the basics of Baccarat, we'll go over the step-by-step process of how a game should look like.

• Place your bet: Decide whether you want to place your chips on the player's hand, the banker's hand, or a tie. Once you place your bet, the chips cannot be moved, so think carefully before betting.
• Cards are dealt: Once all of the bets are placed, the dealer will deal two cards each which is also called the Coup. The dealer first deals one card to each player and themselves, and then another round of one card to everyone. At the end of the dealing, all cards are revealed face up.
• Values are announced: When the cards are revealed face up, all of the players take a look at the values of their hand. Players who have less than 6 have a chance to draw a third card. Those players that have more than 6 stand and wait for the other cards to be drawn.
• Third cards are drawn: If the player does take a third card, then the dealer can take a third card but must follow different rules which are displayed in the table below.
• The winner is announced: Once all of the values have been checked, the dealer then announces the winner, and the winning bets are paid out.

What is the Baccarat Third Card Rule?

In the previous section, we mentioned that there is a third card rule in Baccarat and while the game is relatively novice player-friendly, it can be confusing for players to keep up with the rules. The basic Baccarat third card rule is that if the Coup value is less than 6 then players can draw a third card. This in turn has specific rules for the banker which are followed depending on the value of the card drawn by the player. To help you better understand the specific instances, below is a table outlining the possibilities.

Drawing Rules in Baccarat

If a player has an initial value of less than 6 then they can draw another card. If the value is 6 or above, then the player must stand. If the player stands, then the banker follows the player rule for drawing - if the value is less than 6. However, if the player does draw a third card, the banker then follows the banker hand rules, as outlined in the table above. This means that if the player, for example, drew a 2 or 3, the banker then draws a third card if their hand is between 0-4, and stands on 5-7. Similarly, if they drew a 4 or 5, then the banker draws on 0-5 and stands on 6 or 7.

Baccarat Table Layout Explained

The experience of playing Baccarat in a land-based casino and an online casino is slightly different, however, the experience is still fun and rewarding. Additionally, several variants of Baccarat can be played at casinos, but the layout of the table is more or less the same, save for a difference in the number of players and the betting limits.

Players sit around the traditional green felt table, and in front of each player is a section to place the bets - player hand, banker, or tie. Some tables have options for side bets as well, which can also be found in the same section. The mini Baccarat table is kept straightforward, looking similar to a Blackjack table, and can be found at land-based casinos for smaller stakes and online casinos. There's also the Big Baccarat table, which can seat 12 to 14 players at once, notably with the number 13 omitted in some countries, due to superstitions that it brings bad luck.

Regardless of the table size, players also get a simple score sheet in front of them, where they can record wins, losses, and ties, and in some cases advanced sheets where they can track the frequency of winning hands and patterns in the play. The cards that are dealt have a designated place on the table, so it's easy to tell which is the player's hand and which is the banker's hand. The croupier deals the cards from a dealer's shoe, containing 6 or 8 decks of shuffled cards.

Interestingly enough, some casinos and dealers allow players to touch the cards, while others simply lay them directly on the table. Be sure to ask the rules beforehand. If they do allow players to handle the cards, the dealer will give them a wooden paddle, as was customary in the early Baccarat games. Additionally, players may be invited to sit at a table, if there's a free spot while a game is in session, but they'll have to wait for the round the end, before they can start playing, as per the Baccarat etiquette.

Online Baccarat Table

The online Baccarat table is similar to the brick-and-mortar one. The layout of the table is the same, with the exception that most of the online Baccarat games are single-player. Seeing as it is an online environment, there's no dealer, so cards are dealt as soon as the player hits the deal button and are selected based on a Random Number Generator. Additionally, the score sheets are replaced with charts on the screen, also called Roads.

Live dealer games at online casinos are a different story, as there's a real dealer present and the environment is similar to that of brick and mortar. It's the right blend of gaming on the go with a land-based casino feel. As we mentioned before, the layout of the table in online casinos offering Baccarat is similar to the Mini Baccarat layout in land-based casinos.

Online Casino Baccarat Betting Rules

The Baccarat betting rules are generally the same in land-based and online casino versions. In both instances, Baccarat is known to have the lowest house edge than any other table and card game. Like in land-based casinos, the online Baccarat betting rules are the same: banker bet, player bet, and tie bet. To help you better understand each bet, we will dive deeper into each available bet in the following section.

• 

  Banker Bet

  Betting on the banker means the presumed outcome is that the banker will be closest to 9. Some strategies for new players suggest betting on the banker to win as it is a most likely occurrence. Here are the payout rates and house edge when placing this bet.

  • Win: If you've made a banker bet, you win if the banker wins. The payout is 0.95:1 as there's a 5% commission unless it's on No Commission Baccarat. The house edge is 1.06% giving players a generous 98.94% RTP.
  • Lose: If the player wins then, you lose the bet.
  • Tie: If the game ends in a tie, the bet is returned.
• 

  Player Bet

  Making the player bet means betting that the player will be the closest to 9. Here are the payout rates and possible scenarios.

  • Win: If the player's hand is closest to 9, you win and get a 1:1 payout. The house edge is 1.24% giving a 98.76% RTP.
  • Lose: If the banker's hand wins, you lose the bet.
  • Tie: If the round ends in a tie, the bet is returned.
• 

  Tie Bet

  Statistically, the hardest one to hit, but also one of the most lucrative bets. Here are the possible scenarios if you make the Tie bet. The house edge is huge for this bet at 14.36% giving it a 85.64% RTP.

  • Win: If the round ends in a tie, you win and the payout is 8:1.
  • Lose: If the player or the banker wins, you lose the bet.

Side Bets Rules - Found in Some Baccarat Variants

There are several variants of Baccarat casino games with similar rules. The only difference is that in addition to the 3 base bets, there are several side bets that players can make. Some of the side bets have better payouts, but others are worse than the base bets. Online Baccarat versions often have special side bets with higher payouts, but also with bigger house edge than others. Below is a list of some of the side bets you can expect to find.

• 

  Player Pair

  The player pair bet has a presumed outcome that the initial pair of cards dealt to the player will be a pair. The payout is 11:1, leading to higher wins, however, the house edge is 11.25%.

• 

  Banker Pair

  Like the player pair, the banker pair bet presumes that the banker will get a pair in the initial deal. The payout and the house edge are the same as the player pair.

• 

  Perfect Pair

  The perfect pair is betting that either the player or the banker will get two identical cards in the initial deal, for example, two Kings of Spades. The payout is 11:1, but the house edge is 17.07%.

• 

  Either Pair

  Like the banker and players pair, the either pair bet is betting that either hand will get a pair in the initial deal. The payout is slightly lower with 5:1, and the house edge is 14.54%.

• 

  Small

  With the small bet, players are betting that the total number of the cards dealt in a round will be 4. The payout for this is 1.5:1 and the house edge is 5.27%.

• 

  Big

  Contrary to the small bet, with the big bet players are betting that the total number of the cards will be 5 or 6. The payout is smaller though, sitting at 0.54:1 and the house edge 4.35%.

Other Baccarat Bets that Can be Made and the Rules

In addition to the most common side bets that we mentioned above, there are several other bets that players can make. All of these bets have even higher payouts, however the house edge is also higher. Make sure to get familiarized with the Baccarat rules and base bets, before moving onto the side bets. Here are some other options that can make your Baccarat game even more enjoyable and lucrative.

• Super Six: The outcome of this bet is that the winning banker's hand is 6. The payout is 12:1 with a house edge of 29.98%.
• 4-5-6: With the 4-5-6 bet, players are betting on the total number in the players and bankers hand. The payout is 3:2 for 4, 2:1 for 5 and 6. House edge on this bet is 5.27% for 4, and 4.35% for 5 and 6.
• All Red: As the name suggests, the presumed outcome of this bet is that the cards in the player's hand will be all red. The payout is quite high at 22:1, and the house edge is 13.76%.
• All Black: Similar to the all red, with the all black bet, players are betting that all cards in the player's hand will be black. The payout is even higher at 24:1, and the house edge is the same at 13.76%.
• Dragon Bonus: The Dragon bonus is one of the most unique bets. The presumed outcome of this bet is that the player will win with a natural 8 or 9 by a specific margin. This means that the player will get an 8 or 9 in the first deal without drawing a third card. The payout depends on the margin of winning, for example, 9 points has the highest payout at 30:1, 8 points has 10:1, 7 points has 6:1, 6 points has 4:1, 5 points has 2:1, 4 points 1:1, and 3 points or less is considered a loss. The house edge is relatively low at 2.65%.
• Panda 8: The Panda 8 bet is only available in EZ Baccarat and is won when a player's hand totals 8 across 3 cards. The payout is relatively high at 25:1 and the house edge is 10.19%.

Best Baccarat Games to Play at Online Casino Sites in 2024

We've gone over the Baccarat rules in-depth, and it's a fairly simple game to grasp so by now you should be familiar with it. Still, there are many variants to choose from. Here is a list of some of the best Baccarat games you can find at online casino sites.

Live Dealer Baccarat Rules - Are They the Same?

The live dealer games are ideal for players who love the mobility of online gaming but also prefer the land-based casino experience. There are plenty of popular table and card game versions with a live dealer and Baccarat is no exception. You might be wondering whether the rules of live dealer Baccarat are different than regular. The simple answer is no. The rules are the same as with online and land-based casino Baccarat. The goal of betting which hand gets closest to 9 is the same, as well as the banker and player rules for drawing. Side bets are also available in addition to the base bets of player, banker, and tie.

Live Dealer Game Tables Available in 2024

As we mentioned before, several live dealer variants are available in online casinos. Depending on what you need, there's plenty to choose from, especially at the top online casinos. Below are some of the most popular live dealer Baccarat games available in 2024.

• Single Player Baccarat: Single players Baccarat is, as the name suggests, a game where only you and the dealer play. It's a private experience that is mostly reserved for high rollers.
• Multi-seat Baccarat: Multi-seat Baccarat is the perfect way for players to experience live Baccarat like in the top Asian casinos. Players can see other players' movements, and try the pairs side bets, to truly get an authentic casino experience.
• Speed Baccarat: Nothing is as exciting as Speed Baccarat. Fast-paced rounds that are equal parts exciting and rewarding. The betting limits are generally set at $1 - $5.000
• Baccarat Squeeze: Ideal for players who wish to experience the suspense and excitement of the game. Dealers will squeeze the cards for the hand with the biggest wager, creating suspense among players. The betting limits are set at $25-$25000.
• Baccarat Controlled Squeeze: Much like the classic, the Baccarat Controlled Squeeze also creates the excitement and suspense of revealing the cards, only here players can do it themselves. The interaction creates the most authentic casino experience for players, allowing them to fully participate, even from home. The betting limits are the same as the classic squeeze.
• Mini Baccarat: The mini Baccarat is like the standard Baccarat, only it is players on a smaller table. The Mini Baccarat tables generally have lower betting limits, and sometimes the stakes are lower than others.
• Progressive Baccarat: Like progressive slots, Progressive Baccarat has a jackpot that increases with every bet made. The jackpot is awarded when an 8 and an Ace of the same suit are dealt to both hands. The betting limits are $50-$250.
• No Commission Baccarat: In no commission Baccarat, the standard 5% commission on winning banker bets doesn't apply. The only exception is if the banker has a value of 6, in which case players get half of their bat in payout.
• Punto Banco: This is the most played version. The live version is immersive and exciting, usually favored by high rollers in land-based casinos, though the live version has smaller limits of $1-$100.

How to Win at Online Casino Baccarat

All online casino games are based on luck and chance, however, some strategies can be used to the player's advantage. Players don't have control over the gameplay, but they can control their bets and use the score sheets or roads to see the patterns and adjust their betting strategies accordingly. Some live casino games, like those from Evolution Gaming, have a special prediction button that shows what might be the winning hand.

Baccarat Strategy Rules

As we mentioned before, players can use Baccarat strategy rules to their advantage to have potentially lucrative plays. The opinions are divided when it comes to Baccarat strategies and whether there really can be a winning strategy or not. Regardless, experts have been looking into the matter and have spent years trying to find a strategy that works. There are two different ways to approach the matter, with pattern betting strategy and betting systems, some of which are centuries old. These include pattern betting as well as betting systems such as the Martingale. Full details on applying these can be found on our baccarat strategy page.

Best Winning Tips for Real Money Baccarat Games Online

Baccarat is a fun and classic casino game that can be enjoyed by both novice and seasoned players as the rules of Baccarat are simple and easy to understand. To truly enjoy your online Baccarat game, our team at Top 10 Casinos has a few winning tips for our readers.

1. Choose a Trusted Casino: The most important thing is to find a trusted online casino that is safe, secure, and properly licensed. Look for a valid license from a reputable authority, read online reviews of other players, and read the terms and conditions thoroughly before you create your account. We recommend LeoVegas Casino as one of our Top 10 in 2024.
2. Try Free Baccarat Games: Playing a free Baccarat game lets you learn the ropes of the game without risking your real money. Even if you have already played Baccarat, free games are a great way to practice.
3. Avoid Tie Bets: The Tie bets may be the most lucrative of the base bets, however, they are less likely to land. This is not to say to avoid them completely, but don't put all of your faith into them.
4. Bet on Banker: Statistically speaking, the banker bet is most likely to win, so while it's not a bulletproof bet, it can bring you wins in the long run. Again, don't bet on the banker solely, and switch up your bets from time to time.
5. Manage Your Budget: This is probably the most important, as it is easy for your bets to spiral out of control. The games of baccarat are generally fast and dynamic, and falling into the thrill of chasing wins, you're likely to go through your budget very quickly. Remember to never bet more than you can afford to lose, and always gamble responsibly.
6. Take Advantage of Bonuses: The beauty of playing at Baccarat online casinos is that there are plenty of promotions and bonuses you can use to your advantage. While there's rarely a bonus specific for Baccarat, casinos often have reload bonuses and cashback bonuses that can either give you more playing funds than you initially had or soften the blow of unlucky bets. Be sure to read the bonus terms and conditions before claiming any promotion.

FAQs About the Rules of Baccarat

We always try to be as clear, concise, and thorough in our reviews and guides. If we have missed anything, or you still have unanswered questions, consult our FAQs below.

• Are the rules of baccarat easy to learn?

  Yes. The Baccarat rules are very easy to learn. Some players may have problems remembering the third card drawings rules, but they will get used to them once they've played a couple of hands.

• How many variants of online casino baccarat are there?

  There are plenty of variants of online casino baccarat. Some of the most popular include Punto Banco, Chemin de Fer, Mini Baccarat, Speed Baccarat, Progressive Baccarat and more. Each of these games are developed by several of the top software providers so you have plenty of choice.

• Can I practise baccarat rules with a no deposit casino bonus?

  Yes you can. Unless the no deposit casino bonus has restrictions against this, then you can use your no deposit bonus to practise the baccarat rules. Keep in mind that you can also try the games in demo version, and keep your bonus for real play.

• How many decks are used to play this game?

  In traditional Baccarat, dealers use 6 or 8 decks of cards. This varies from game to game.

• Why does the house take commission in this game?

  The house takes a commission in this game simply because it needs to retain its house edge. Baccarat already has a relatively low house edge, as compared to other table and card games, so by taking commission, they retain some profit.

• Can I play free baccarat games to learn to rules?

  Yes you can. Most casinos offer demo versions of their games, so you learn the game and practise the rules risk-free.

• What is banker insurance?

  The banker insurance is made to protect a stronger hand against losing, in this case, the banker hand.

• What is the best bet to play in baccarat?

  Seeing as it's statistically most viable, the banker bet is generally the safest option. However, don't always bet on the banker solely and switch up your strategy based on the patterns.

• Is baccarat a better online casino game than roulette or blackjack?

  Baccarat is better in terms of payouts as the game has a much lower house edge than Roulette and Blackjack.

• What's the best way to win baccarat?

  Baccarat is a game of chance and luck, however if you try to study the patterns and potentially employ a strategy, you'll increase your odds of winning.

Written by

Amanda Evans - Chief Editor

Amanda has been involved with all aspects of the content creation at Top10Casinos.com including research, planning, writing and editing. The dynamic environment has kept her engaged and continually learning which along with +15 years iGaming experience helped propel her into the Chief Editor role.

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