You’ll find everything you need to know about how to play baccarat right here. Whether you are stepping up to a live dealer table for the first time or looking to refine your strategy, this guide covers the basic rules, the crucial third-card draws, house edge figures, and the best online casinos for baccarat betting.
Baccarat Basic Rules & Card Values
Baccarat is a game of chance where you bet on which of two hands – the Player or the Banker – will score closest to 9. You can also bet on a Tie.
Unlike blackjack, you don’t make any decisions about drawing cards. You simply place your bet before the hand begins, and the dealer handles the rest. Each hand is dealt two cards to start. If the total value of the cards exceeds 9, the first digit is dropped (or you subtract 10). For example, a 7 and an 8 equal 15, which becomes a 5 in baccarat.
Baccarat Card Values
To calculate a hand’s total, you need to know the specific point system:
- Cards 2-9: Face value (a 4 is worth 4 points).
- 10, Jack, Queen, King: 0 points.
- Ace: 1 point.
The Three Bets: Odds, Commission, & House Edge
There are only three primary bets you can make on a standard baccarat table. Understanding the math behind them is the only strategy you need.
1. The Banker Bet
Statistically, the Banker hand wins slightly more often than the Player hand because it acts last and its rules for drawing a third card depend on what the Player draws.
- Payout: 1:1 (minus a 5% house commission)
- House Edge: 1.06%
- The Catch: Because the Banker bet has a mathematical advantage, casinos charge a 5% commission on winning Banker bets to maintain their edge. Even with the commission, this is mathematically the best bet on the table.
2. The Player Bet
Betting on the Player hand is straightforward. If the Player gets closer to 9, you double your money without paying any commission.
- Payout: 1:1
- House Edge: 1.24%
3. The Tie Bet (Why You Should Avoid It)
You are betting that the Player and Banker will end up with the exact same point total. It offers a tempting payout, but it is universally considered a “sucker bet.”
- Payout: Usually 8:1 (sometimes 9:1)
- House Edge: 14.36% (on an 8:1 payout)
- The Verdict: The Tie bet is the worst bet on the table. A 14.36% house edge means that over time, you will lose £14.36 for every £100 wagered, compared to just £1.06 on the Banker bet. Always avoid the Tie.
The Third-Card Rules
If either the Player or the Banker is dealt a total of 8 or 9 in their first two cards, it is called a “Natural.” Both hands stand, and the highest score wins.
If neither has a Natural, the game relies on strict rules to determine if a third card is drawn.
The Player’s Rule:
- If the Player’s total is 0-5, they draw a third card.
- If the Player’s total is 6 or 7, they stand.
The Banker’s Rule: If the Player stands (has a 6 or 7), the Banker follows the same rule as the Player: draw on 0-5, stand on 6-7. However, if the Player does draw a third card, the Banker’s action is dictated by the complex table below.
Banker Third-Card Draw Table
| Banker’s 2-Card Total | If the Player’s 3rd Card is… | Banker Action |
|---|---|---|
| 0, 1, or 2 | Any card | Draw |
| 3 | Any card except 8 | Draw |
| 4 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 | Draw |
| 5 | 4, 5, 6, or 7 | Draw |
| 6 | 6 or 7 | Draw |
| 7 | Any card | Stand |
| 8 or 9 | Any card (Natural) | Stand |
Best Online Casinos for Baccarat
There are plenty of top-tier online casinos featuring fantastic baccarat lobbies, complete with enticing sign-up bonuses and live dealer options. Here are our top three recommendations for UK players:
1. Sky Casino
Sky Casino is a premier choice for baccarat thanks to its glowing reputation and incredibly user-friendly platform. They cater excellently to beginners, featuring a useful guide directly at the bottom of their live baccarat area. While their game depth might be slightly smaller than some competitors, the high-quality streams and seamless UI make it a top recommendation.
2. Ladbrokes Casino
Ladbrokes delivers exactly what you’d expect from a gambling giant. Their site is easy to navigate, and their live casino area is packed with high-quality baccarat tables. Whether you want a standard game or higher-stakes VIP tables, Ladbrokes provides a highly reliable, smooth betting experience.
3. bet365 Casino
Setting the bar high, bet365 boasts exceptional baccarat coverage. Their live dealers are highly professional and always on hand to answer questions. Beyond the standard game, bet365 offers exciting variations like XXXtreme Lightning Baccarat, Speed Baccarat, and Live Mega Baccarat. Combined with their typically generous welcome offers, bet365 is a must-visit for baccarat fans.
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How to Play Baccarat FAQs
The core objective is to bet on the hand (Player or Banker) that will finish with a point total closest to 9. You do not make any gameplay decisions; you simply place your bet, and the dealer draws the cards according to predetermined casino rules.
Yes, if you bet on the Banker and win. Because the Banker hand has a statistical advantage, casinos charge a standard 5% commission on winning Banker bets to maintain the house edge.
No. Baccarat is entirely a game of chance. You do not decide whether to draw or stand. The only “strategy” in baccarat is knowing which bet offers the best math which is always the Banker bet, despite the 5% commission.