Baccarat looks intimidating but is one of the easiest games to play and offers some of the best odds in the casino. Learn which bet to make and which to avoid.
How Baccarat Works
Despite its high-roller reputation, baccarat is remarkably simple. You are not dealt a hand to manage — instead you bet on which of two hands, the "Player" or the "Banker", will total closest to nine. Cards are then dealt according to fixed rules with no decisions required from you.
Tens and face cards count as zero, Aces count as one, and only the last digit of a total matters (so 7 + 8 = 15 becomes 5). It is one of the few games where you can play well from the very first hand.
The Three Bets
- Banker: wins slightly more than half the time; the best bet at a 1.06% edge (a 5% commission applies to wins).
- Player: pays even money with a 1.24% house edge — a solid second choice.
- Tie: pays 8:1 but carries a house edge above 14%. Avoid it.
The Best Strategy
The optimal baccarat strategy is refreshingly simple: bet on the Banker consistently. Even after the 5% commission, it wins more often than the Player bet and has the lowest house edge at the table. Ignore the Tie bet entirely no matter how tempting the 8:1 payout looks.
Like roulette, baccarat is a game of chance, so no pattern-tracking scorecard changes the odds. Focus on flat betting the Banker and managing your bankroll for a long, steady session.