Baccarat has long held a reputation as the most exclusive, intimidating game on the casino floor.

Because of this glamorous reputation, the average casino player often feels too intimidated to even approach a Baccarat table.

It is, fundamentally, nothing more than a sophisticated coin flip disguised behind French terminology.

Once you strip away the velvet ropes and the aura of exclusivity, you are left with an incredibly fast, straightforward game of chance.

Let's break down the rules, explain how the hands are scored, and reveal the only strategy you will ever need.

Understanding the Basic Goal of the Game

In every round of Baccarat, the dealer will place two hands of cards on the table: the "Player" hand and the "Banker" hand.

Before any cards are dealt, you place your chips in one of three betting circles in front of you: Player, Banker, or Tie.

Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth absolutely zero points in Baccarat.

If a hand receives a 9 and a 9, the sum is 18. Drop the "1", and the true value is an 8.

Because you drop the first digit, it is mathematically impossible to "bust" or go over 9 in Baccarat.

The Third Card Rule (Why You Don't Need to Learn It)

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.

Unlike Blackjack, where you must actively choose to "Hit" or "Stand," Baccarat is played on autopilot.

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.

Why the Banker Bet is the Best Option

Because you cannot influence the cards, the only "strategy" in Baccarat is making the most mathematically sound bet.

If you bet on the "Player" hand and it wins, you are paid 1 to 1 (even money). The house edge on the Player bet is a very respectable 1.24%.

Even with this 5% tax, the Banker bet still carries the lowest house edge in the entire game: an incredibly low 1.06%.

Betting the Banker minimizes your long-term losses and gives you the absolute best odds of walking away a winner.

Finally, you must avoid the "Tie" bet at all costs; it is famously one of the worst sucker bets in the entire casino.

Essential Rules for Beginners

• Card Values: 2-9 are face value. Aces are 1. Tens and Face Cards (J, Q, K) are worth 0.


• The Banker Bet: Pays 1 to 1, minus a 5% casino commission. House Edge is 1.06%. The mathematically superior bet.


• The Third Card Rule: A complex set of rules the dealer follows. You do not need to memorize or understand it.


• Commission: Do not forget that the dealer will take 5% of your Banker winnings; they usually keep track and collect it when you leave.

Why Play Baccarat Instead of Blackjack?

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.

Enjoy the elegance of the game, have fun tracking the massive scoreboards, and watch the nines roll in.