- The goal of the game is to correctly guess which hand will be the highest-value hand.
- Scoring uses a unique system where the highest value of a hand is nine.
- Players should follow baccarat strategies and best practices to get the most out of their bankroll.
Baccarat, as it’s known today, is a card game that’s been enjoyed by gamblers for decades and is one of the most popular online casino games. It’s similar to blackjack in that it’s easy to pick up and play while still offering a thrilling experience, and with some time and effort, players can learn baccarat strategy to improve their play.
Read on to learn how to play baccarat online and to find some baccarat tips to help reduce the house edge.
The Rules of Baccarat
The goal of baccarat is simple. Regardless of how many people are actually betting on the outcome of the game, there are only two hands: the “player” and the “banker.” To win, players must guess which hand will be highest in value, with hand value capped at nine. If they guess correctly, they are paid out +100. However, baccarat has a unique hand-scoring system.
How Hand Value is Decided in Baccarat
In baccarat, the player and banker both get two cards. The king, queen, jack, and 10 are all worth 0, the ace is worth 1 point, and 2 to 9 are all worth their face value. Combine the two cards together to get a total value for the hand. But if the hand reaches a double-digit value, drop the first digit to get the “true value” of the hand.
Here are a few examples of how this works:
| Cards in Hand | Total Hand Value | True Hand Value |
| Ace and 9 | 10 | 0 |
| 1 and 2 | 3 | 3 |
| 7 and 8 | 15 | 5 |
| 3 and 4 | 7 | 7 |
| 5 and 6 | 11 | 1 |
As shown in the examples above, any hand worth 10 or more drops the first digit to calculate its actual value. Any hand worth less than 10 retains its original value.
Third Card Rules
The player and banker can be given a third card under specific conditions.
The player will receive a third card if the total value of their hand is between 0 and 5, except when the banker has a natural 8 or 9.
The banker will receive a third card if the total value of their hand is between 0 and 5, if the player has a six or higher.
However, if the player has received a third card, things get a bit more complicated for the banker, depending on the value of their hand. Here’s how the true value of their hand affects whether they get a third card or not:
- 0–2: The banker will receive a third card except when the player has a natural 8 or 9.
- 3: The banker will receive a third card, except if the player received an 8.
- 4: The banker will receive a third card if the player received a third card between 2 and 7.
- 5: The banker will receive a third card if the player received a third card between 4 and 7.
- 6: The banker will receive a third card if the player received a third card worth 6 or 7.
- 7: The banker stands if the banker’s hand has a value of 7.
Additional Bets in Baccarat
While the two main bets in baccarat are the player and the banker, there are other wagers. The most notable of these is the tie. If the player’s and banker’s hands are equal in value and the bettor bets on a tie, they get a payout of +800. There are other side bets as well, which vary between different versions of baccarat. A few of these side bets include:
- Player Pair: Pays +1100 if the player’s hand is paired.
- Banker Pair: Pays +1100 if the banker’s hand is paired.
- Dragon Bonus: Pays +3000 if the winning wager has a lead of 4 or more points or is a natural 8 or 9.
What is the House Edge in Baccarat?
Another important thing to note about baccarat is its very low house edge. When players bet on the banker’s hand, the house edge can be as low as 1.01%. But in some versions of baccarat, this wager comes with a commission. This means the house takes a small percentage of any winnings (typically 5%) when bettors win on the banker.
When gamblers bet on the player’s hand, the house edge sits at a slightly higher 1.24%, but since their chances of winning are slightly less, there’s no commission on this wager. Compared to blackjack, which has a 2% to 0.5% house edge depending on a player’s skill level, baccarat has consistently favourable odds, regardless of whether you’re a new or an experienced player.
Baccarat Gameplay Tips and Strategies
Before placing any bets, it’s important to be properly prepared. Here are some easy and advanced tips and strategies that players can use to increase their chances of winning.
Be Careful with the Tie Bet
The tie bet has the highest house edge of 14.36%, making it the riskiest standard wager. As previously mentioned, it has much higher payout odds to compensate, so it’s up to players to decide whether they want to take the risk. Opt for any other baccarat betting option for more consistent success.
Be Wary of Betting Strategies
If a baccarat betting strategy sounds intriguing, it’s important to keep in mind that betting strategies are sound in theory but don’t often work in practice. This is because most betting strategies require players to make increasingly large bets to make up for loss streaks, and few players have large enough bankrolls to stick to these betting strategies for more than a few losses. Never bet more than your allotted entertainment budget.
Pick Baccarat Games That Use the Fewest Decks
Generally speaking, the more decks used in any card game, the greater the house edge. This is why players should try to play a version of offline or online baccarat that uses fewer decks to ensure they have the lowest house edge possible.
Bet on the Banker
The lower house edge on the banker means that it’s a better idea to place every bet on the banker, especially when planning to play baccarat over a long period of time. This is because the 0.23% higher chance of winning that the banker offers over the player outweighs the money taken off by commission fees in the long run. But remember, even in the long run, the house edge is 1.01% for the banker, so luck is still necessary for players to win more than they lose.
Set a Win Limit and Loss Limit
This isn’t a baccarat-specific strategy, but one that any gambler who plays pure games of luck should follow, and that’s knowing when to quit while ahead or when behind. This is because the baccarat odds can swing against you at any time.
When luck is on their side, too many players get caught up in the excitement of the game and lose all their profits when their luck changes. But if they play smart and set a win limit, when luck does smile upon them, they can walk away with their winnings.
On the other hand, too many players chase their losses and end up spending their entire bankroll (and sometimes more) when they’re having a bad run of luck. Always set a limit on how much money is okay to lose before it’s time to leave the baccarat table.
