How to Play Baccarat: Rules, Strategies & Tips
Baccarat, once favored by James Bond and high rollers, is a casino game with simple rules and a low house edge. Learn how to play with this guide, then try it yourself in our free baccarat game below.
1. The History of Baccarat
Baccarat originated in 15th-century Italy as “baccara” (Italian for “zero”), referencing the value of face cards. It gained popularity in French aristocracy as Chemin de Fer before evolving into modern variants:
- Punto Banco: Dominates casinos globally (player vs. banker).
- Chemin de Fer: Players take turns as banker (popular in Europe).
- Baccarat Banque: Similar to Chemin de Fer but with a fixed banker.
2. Baccarat Basics
Objective: Bet on which hand (Player or Banker) will total closest to 9.
Card Values:
Key Rule: Drop the Tens
If a hand’s total exceeds 9, subtract 10 (drop the first digit) — there’s no “bust” in Baccarat.
Gameplay Step-by-Step
- Place Bets: Choose Player, Banker, or Tie.
- Deal Cards: Two cards each to Player and Banker.
- Calculate Totals:
- Player Rule: Stand on 6–7; draw a third card on 0–5.
- Banker Rule: Follows Player’s third card (see table below).
- Determine Winner: Closest to 9 wins.
Third Card Rules
| Player’s Third Card | Banker Draws If Total Is |
|---|---|
| 2 or 3 | 0–4 |
| 4 or 5 | 0–5 |
| 6 or 7 | 0–6 |
| 8 | 0–2 |
| Ace, 9, 10, Face Card | 0–3 |
Betting Options & Odds
| Bet | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Banker | 0.95:1* | 1.06% |
| Player | 1:1 | 1.24% |
| Tie | 8:1 / 9:1 | 14.36% |
*A 5% commission applies to winning Banker bets.
3. Baccarat Strategies
- Bet Banker Consistently: Lowest house edge (1.06%).
- Avoid Tie Bets: High house edge (14%+) makes them sucker bets.
- Use the 1-3-2-4 System: Progressive betting to manage risk.
- Track Trends: Use scorecards (Big Road, Bead Plate) to spot patterns (though outcomes remain random).
1-3-2-4 Progressive System
A loss at any stage resets you back to 1 unit — this manages risk but doesn’t change the underlying house edge.
Pro Tips
- Set Session Limits: Baccarat moves quickly — decide your loss/win thresholds in advance.
- Ignore Myths: No “hot streaks” or “due” wins — each hand is independent.
- Practice Free Online: Try our free baccarat game below to learn the third-card rules risk-free.
Baccarat Strategy Cheat Sheet
| Your Bet | When to Bet | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|
| Banker | 90% of the time | Commission fees annoy you |
| Player | Banker streak feels too long | Chasing losses |
| Tie | Never | Always |
4. Responsible Play Reminders
- Baccarat’s simplicity can lead to rapid bets — pace yourself.
- Never chase losses; the Banker’s edge is slim but relentless.
- Treat wins as bonuses, not expectations.