Walking into a casino, you may notice the buzz around the baccarat tables. People seem to know exactly what they’re doing, but the game can seem a little intimidating at first. Don’t worry though! I felt the same way when I first saw the game being played. 

But after learning the basics, I realized that baccarat is one of the easiest casino games to play. Unlike blackjack, where you have to decide whether to hit or stand, in baccarat, the dealer takes care of all that for you. Your only job is to bet on which hand you think will win.

What Is Baccarat and How Does It Work?

Baccarat is a simple card game where the goal is to bet on which hand—either the “Player” or the “Banker”—will have a total closest to 9. There’s also the option to bet on a Tie, but more on that later. Despite its glamorous reputation, baccarat is actually pretty easy to grasp. You don’t need any prior experience, and the rules are straightforward.

How to Play Baccarat at a Casino: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Understand the Objective

When playing baccarat, your goal is to predict which hand will have a point total closest to 9. The game involves two hands: the Player’s hand and the Banker’s hand. You place your bet on either of these hands, or on a Tie. Here are the key betting options:

• The Banker: Statistically, this is the best bet because it has a lower house edge than the Player’s hand.
• The Player: A standard bet that pays out even money (1:1).
• A Tie: A high-risk bet that both hands will have the same total. If successful, it pays out 8:1 or 9:1.

Understanding these bets is crucial because they influence how you’ll approach the game.

2. Learn the Card Values

The next step in learning how to play baccarat at a casino is understanding how card values work. Here’s a quick guide:

• 10, Jack, Queen, King: All of these cards are worth 0 points.
• Ace: Worth 1 point.
• 2 through 9: These cards are worth their face value.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting: if the total of your hand exceeds 9, only the last digit of the total counts. For example, if your hand consists of a 7 and an 8, the total is 15, but you drop the 1, so your hand is worth 5. This rule is important to remember when calculating the total of your hand.

3. How a Round Works

Playing baccarat is a smooth, quick process. Here’s what you’ll do:

• Place Your Bet: Before each round, you’ll place your chips on either the Player, Banker, or Tie section of the table.
• The Deal: The dealer will then deal two cards face-up to both the Player and Banker positions.
• Natural Win: If either hand has a total of 8 or 9, that’s a “natural,” and the game ends right there.
• Third Card Rules: If neither hand has a natural, the dealer follows fixed rules to determine if a third card should be drawn. The Player draws a card if their total is 0–5 and stands if it’s 6 or 7. The Banker’s decision is more complicated, depending on the Player’s third card, but the dealer takes care of this automatically.

At this point, the round ends, and if your bet was on the winning hand, you’re paid accordingly!

4. Payouts and Tips for Success

Now that you know how to play baccarat at a casino, let’s talk about the payouts and some tips to improve your chances of winning.

• Winning Player Bets: Pays 1:1.
• Winning Banker Bets: Also pays 1:1, but the casino typically takes a 5% commission because the Banker hand wins more often.
• Tie Bet: If you’ve placed a bet on the Tie and both hands have the same total, you could win 8:1 or 9:1, depending on the casino.

Strategy Tip: Stick to betting on the Banker. It’s statistically the best option. While the Tie bet offers bigger payouts, it has a higher house edge, making it a riskier choice. Play it smart by focusing on the Banker bet to give yourself the best chance to win!

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. How do I know which hand to bet on?

In baccarat, the Banker hand has a slightly lower house edge, making it the statistically smarter choice. While the Player bet pays even money, the Banker bet usually wins more often. However, you should also consider your budget and how much risk you’re comfortable taking.

2. Can I play baccarat online?

Yes! Many online casinos offer baccarat in both live dealer and automated versions. The rules and gameplay are identical to those at a brick-and-mortar casino. If you’re new to the game, online baccarat is a great way to practice without the pressure of a live casino.

3. Why does the Banker bet have a commission?

The Banker bet is the most favorable bet in baccarat, with a slightly lower house edge. To balance this, casinos take a 5% commission on winnings from the Banker bet. This is to ensure the casino remains profitable while offering players a fair shot at winning.

4. What happens if I bet on a Tie and win?

A Tie bet occurs when both the Player and Banker hands have the same total. If you bet on this outcome and win, you typically get a payout of 8:1 or 9:1, depending on the casino. While it can be tempting due to the high payout, keep in mind that the house edge on this bet is significantly higher.

Get in on the Action!

So there you have it! Baccarat might seem like an intimidating game at first, but now that you understand how to play baccarat at a casino, you can dive in with confidence. Whether you’re at a land-based casino or gambling online, the basics remain the same.

Keep your bets simple, focus on the Banker, and remember—it’s all about enjoying the experience. With a little practice, you might just find that baccarat is your new favorite casino game.

Pro Tip: If you’re new to baccarat, try playing free online games first to get a feel for the game’s flow before wagering real money. This way, you can fine-tune your strategy without any pressure!