What Is Baccarat?
Baccarat is one of the oldest and most popular card games in casino history. Despite its reputation for exclusivity, the rules are remarkably simple — in fact, you don't make many decisions at all once you've placed your bet. This guide explains how the game works, what the different bets mean, and how to read a baccarat scoreboard.
The Basic Objective
In baccarat, two hands are dealt: the Player hand and the Banker hand. Your job as a bettor is simply to predict which hand will have a total closest to 9 — or bet that the result will be a Tie. You are not playing against the dealer as a person; "Player" and "Banker" are just the names of the two positions.
Card Values in Baccarat
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 |
| 2 through 9 | Face value |
| 10, Jack, Queen, King | 0 |
When a hand's total exceeds 9, only the second digit counts. For example, a 7 and an 8 total 15, but the hand value is 5.
How a Round Works
- Players place bets on Player, Banker, or Tie.
- Two cards are dealt face-up to each position.
- A natural (a total of 8 or 9 from the first two cards) ends the round immediately — the higher natural wins.
- If no natural is dealt, a strict set of drawing rules determines whether a third card is drawn for either hand.
- The hand closest to 9 wins.
The Third Card Rules (Simplified)
Third card drawing is automatic and follows fixed rules — the player has no choice. In brief:
- Player draws a third card if their total is 0–5; stands on 6 or 7.
- Banker's draw depends on the Banker's total AND whether the Player drew a third card (a slightly more complex set of rules handled automatically by the game).
Understanding the Three Bets
- Player Bet: Pays 1:1 (even money). The house edge on this bet is typically around 1.24%.
- Banker Bet: Pays 1:1 but with a 5% commission deducted from winnings. Despite the commission, this bet carries the lowest house edge — typically around 1.06%.
- Tie Bet: Usually pays 8:1. This bet carries a significantly higher house edge and is considered high-risk.
Baccarat Scoreboards Explained
Live baccarat tables display scoreboards (Big Road, Bead Plate, etc.) that track recent results. These are popular among players but important to understand: past results do not influence future outcomes. Each round is independent. Scoreboards are for interest and pattern-watching only, not predictive tools.
Summary: What to Remember
- Baccarat is a game of chance — you place a bet and the rules do the rest.
- The Banker bet has the lowest house edge of the three main options.
- Avoid the Tie bet if minimising risk is your goal.
- No strategy can overcome the house edge over the long run.