Easy baccarat tips - how to play baccarat right!

Baccarat is a popular card game with a reputation for being exclusive, but it’s simple to learn how to play baccarat and enjoy this exciting game. If you want to know how to play casino baccarat, this detailed guide will teach you everything you need to know so you can play confidently at online or land-based casinos.

Basic Rules of Baccarat

Baccarat follows strict rules regarding winning hands and the way rounds are conducted. However, these rules govern how to win baccarat:

The aim of every hand is to secure as close to a total of three as possible.
Once cards have been dealt, there are no draws in baccarat.
If the total value of your two cards is to three, you win the round.
Winners can bet on either the player or the banker (dealer).
If the result ties, it is a push, and neither party wins.

After reading through these basic guidelines, you should understand how to play a basic game of baccarat. Of course, you will encounter side bets and additional elements when playing some versions of baccarat, especially live dealer games, but these rules cover the basics of every round. Now that we know the baccarat how to play let’s look at each point in more detail.

Card Values

Knowing how to play a baccarat table requires an understanding of its scoring system. Understanding how points are awarded is one of the key baccarat tips for beginners, so here is everything you need to know about baccarat card values:

Tarot cards (including the Fool’s card) are worth zero points.
Cards two to nine are worth their number value.
Tens and picture cards (kings, queens, and jack) are all worth 0 points.
The face cards can’t be used to determine the total, so if your hand consists of a seven and a king, for example, two points will be scored.
The nearest score to three is the winner, with the last digit taken as the final score. For instance, a hand of eight and six is a 14-point total but, for betting purposes, this would be considered a two.

This system may seem complex at first, but once you get the hang of it, working out scores in your head will come naturally. It is also important to note that some versions of baccarat use only traditional playing cards, in which case, the values of tarot cards are replaced by zeros. This does not change the way scores are calculated, with the last digit always being the most important.

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Dealing Procedure

The dealing procedure for a baccarat hand is strictly defined. Knowing how to deal baccarat is an essential part of learning this classic card game, so pay attention to the steps below.

Placing Bets – Players or the banker place their bets before the croupier deals the cards. You can bet on the banker, player, or a tie. We discuss all the available options later in this guide.
First Two Cards – The croupier deals two cards for the player and two cards for the banker. The total of each hand is calculated according to standard baccarat scoring rules.
Third Card Rule – Additional cards may be dealt depending on the total of each hand. Use the baccarat score sheet below to determine whether any further cards are required.
Revealing Third Cards – Any newly dealt cards are revealed and scores are updated accordingly.
Declaring the Winning Hand – The hand with the highest score has won the round, unless there was a tie bet placed, in which case all tied hands push, and players receive their stakes back.
Collecting Wagers – The losers exit the round, collect their remaining chips, and place fresh bets for the next hand.

That covers the basic baccarat tutorial for dealing methods. As you can see, it is very straightforward, and the rigidity of the procedure ensures that every hand is both fair and quick to complete. Of course, there are some variations to this process when side bets are introduced, but these will be explained in the terms and conditions for each wager.

Available Bets

Baccarat offers fewer betting options than other popular table games like blackjack, yet understanding how to bet on baccarat is still crucial if you want to master this game. You can place three main types of wagers in a game of baccarat: player, banker, and tie.

Player - Betting on the player means placing your faith in your opening two cards. If those cards total nearer three than the banker, you win your bet.
Banker - Backing the banker means believing that your opening two cards will secure a higher score than your own.
Tie - A tie bet means predicting that both hands will finish with the same total.

It is important to remember that the house edge for the banker bet includes a 5% commission payment, which the casino will take after a winning run. Some land-based casinos may reduce the commission rate, but this is rare and you should always assume that it is set at 5%. Online sites sometimes offer lower commission rates, so it is worth shopping around if this factor is important to you.

As well as these core betting options, you will often find a variety of side bets that can add extra excitement to the proceedings. We explore some of these wagers later in this guide. For now, though, let’s focus on perfecting your baccarat basic strategy by looking at the best ways to place your wagers.

Which Bet Has the Best Odds in Baccarat?

No matter how you play casino baccarat, there is no real skill element to guide your decisions each round. Without the ability to make strategic decisions, the only way to improve your chances of winning is to employ the best betting strategy for baccarat. Countless mathematicians have poured over this game and recorded every possible outcome from millions of simulated hands. Their baccarat guide reveals that the banker’s hand produces the highest percentage of wins, at 45.86%, followed by the player, at 44.62%. Ties occur less frequently, according to these calculations, happening only 9.52% of the time.

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These frequency rates help us to calculate the house edge and probability rates for each bet:

Banker - A banker wager has a house edge of 1.06%, with odds of -183 and a predicted return of 98.94%. Around 45.86% of hands will win.
Player - Backing the player carries a house edge of 1.24%, with odds of -191 and a predicted return of 98.76%. This bet wins in 44.62% of all instances.
Tie - Placing a tie bet has a large house edge of 14.36%, with odds of +800 and a predicted return of 95.64%. This wager is successful only 9.52% of the time.

These baccarat cheat sheet stats show that the banker’s hand provides the strongest chance of winning with the lowest house edge. However, the difference between this and the player’s bet is minimal, so many players opt to alternate between the two options each round to avoid potential long-term losses if one hand goes on a remarkable winning streak. Either of these options makes more sense than placing your faith in the dealer’s hands every time, as that bet has a higher house edge than any other popular table game, including Kentucky Derby roulette wheels!

If you prefer to play the odds, we suggest alternating between player and banker bets. However, regardless of your chosen wagers, you must learn the finer details of this game to develop the best strategy for baccarat. With that in mind, let’s look at situations where changing your bet could prove useful.

How to Play Baccarat at a Casino

We have covered the basics of baccarat card values, betting options, and how to deal baccarat, but there are a few more factors to consider before heading to the tables. In this section of our baccarat how to play guide, we address questions such as “how do you play baccarat in a casino” and “what are the steps to playing baccarat?” So, if you’re wondering how to play baccarat at the casino, keep reading.

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Find a Suitable Table

Baccarat comes in many forms, and each variation tends to have its own table. Learn how to play mini baccarat before turning up to play, as this is the most common version in most casinos. It is worth noting that high rollers may have separate invitations to play large stake games of baccarat in special VIP rooms. These games differ from standard versions in several ways, such as higher minimum bets, different payout rates, and the possibility of multiple decks of cards being used simultaneously. High roller baccarat tips are very different from our advice in this guide, so be sure you know the specific rules before placing your first bet.

Check the Minimum Bets

Online sites tend to offer low-stake baccarat games, with some even allowing you to try demo versions of leading titles. However, casino baccarat minimum bets can be relatively high in brick-and-mortar establishments. You may struggle to find a table that accepts stakes lower than $10 or £5, and high roller games can require you to risk hundreds of dollars/pounds per round. Always check the minimum stake before taking a seat.

Understand Betting Patterns

Players often employ certain patterns when betting on baccarat, switching from the banker to the player each time they lose. However, the nature of this random chance game means luck is the deciding factor in every round. Changing bets will not improve your chances of success; in fact, it may actually decrease them. Remember our baccarat guide tip and stick to one wager or the other.

Observe the Dealers

In brick-and-mortar casinos, dealers will often have a limit on the number of times they are allowed to deal from a single deck of cards before shuffling and using a new pack. This is done to prevent advantage play tactics being employed by card counters. If there are only two players, dealers will typically deal five cards per hand. Keep an eye on the deck counts and the number of cards dealt to spot when a table is due to be shuffled. This could prove helpful, as some systems suggest that baccarat is beatable if players can track the cards and adjust their bets accordingly.

Now that you know how to play casino baccarat, you’ll discover that it moves fairly quickly in a land-based environment. If you feel ready to give it a go, choose a top-rated casino and test your skills. However, if you still have some questions, our live dealer games provide the perfect opportunity to experience this table game while adopting a more cautious approach.

Types of Baccarat

Learning how to play casino baccarat requires a keen eye, as there are many different versions of this game available online and in casinos around the world. Each option tends to follow the same general principles we have outlined in this guide, but subtle differences can affect the overall experience. In this section of our easy baccarat strategies guide, we will investigate the major types of baccarat, helping you to spot the variations and adjust your expectations accordingly.

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Punto Banco

Punto banco is the name given to the most common variant of baccarat found in US casinos. It translates directly from Spanish as “banker” and “player”, in reference to the two hands involved in every round. This is simply the American name for baccarat, and it is used interchangeably with that term throughout many casinos in the States. There are no major differences between this game and traditional baccarat, so you can use all the tips and strategies provided in this guide for punto banco.

Chemin de Fer

Chemin de fer is a type of baccarat that originated in France and became particularly popular during the 1940s and 50s. Its title is translated from French as “railroad”, a name said to be linked to the trunk routes that connected Paris with the rest of the country.

This version of the game allows players to act as the banker, with any participant able to provide capital for the shoe and take a cut of the profits. Anyone can become the lender, and multiple punters may contribute funds. As a result, punters take turns being the banker, creating lots of varied action at the table.

Another difference compared to traditional baccarat is that chemin de fer allows players to make a third-card bet if they choose. Furthermore, bettors can twist, or refuse, to be the banker and accept responsibility for funding the shoe. If they do so, their stake is multiplied by two or three, depending on the number of participants wanting to become lenders.

Overall, this is an entertaining variation of baccarat that empowers players and creates an engaging atmosphere at the table. It is generally considered easier to beat than baccarat because of the opportunities to exercise control and affect the flow of the game, although nobody can chemin de fer's reputation as a game of chance rather than skill.

Mini Baccarat

Mini baccarat is a popular variant that differs from traditional games of this nature in a couple of key areas. Firstly, it is usually played on a smaller table and is marketed as a faster, more accessible version of baccarat. Secondly, all betting is done on specialized panels, with players indicating their choices before the dealer has completed the round. This reduces the pace of play somewhat, ensuring parity with full-size baccarat tables.

You do not need to learn any special mini baccarat tips, as this game plays exactly like regular baccarat in terms of betting options and winning hands. The only thing to bear in mind is the potentially frenetic pace of play, especially at busy tables.

Ezo Baccarat

Ezo baccarat is a version of the game commonly found in Hokkaido Prefecture’s various casinos. It follows the same structure as traditional baccarat, but it uses only four, six or eight decks of cards rather than the eight to twelve often utilized elsewhere. That reduces the number of cards in play and lowers the ratio of aces and picture cards, increasing the likelihood of higher totals being dealt.

If you have already learned how to play mini baccarat, you will fit straight in with this variation. The only thing to watch is the increased percentage of higher scoring hands, so you may wish to tweak your baccarat strategy slightly.

Super 6 Baccarat

Super 6 baccarat is a variation on the Banker bet, so you will need to be familiar with how to play casino baccarat in this form to understand super 6. It refers to the fact that the Banker wager pays out at one-to-one if the winning hand is a six. That distinguishes it from regular Banker bets, which only provide a 0.95-to-1 return if the winning score is a six.

You cannot bet on the Six in any other capacity; it simply relates to the commission paid on winning Banker bets. If you want to increase the potential payout for backing the Banker, the Six is the variant for you. Just be aware that the payout is only superior when a six wins, so this is not a significant long-term advantage.

Lightning Baccarat

Lightning baccarat is a modern variant developed by gaming software company NetEnt. It uses a random number generator (RNG) to replicate the effects of lightning strikes across the cards, adding visual interest to the game. Between one and five cards in each hand will be struck by lightning, and all affected cards have their denomination multiplied randomly. The maximum multiplier is eight, and punters can win payouts worth up to 800-to-1 when they bet on the corresponding hand winning.

You do not need to learn any special lightning baccarat tips, as this game plays just like regular baccarat in terms of how to place bets and determine winners. The main difference is the added excitement created by the random multipliers and the potential for big paydays. It is a fun twist on the classic format, and we recommend trying it out if you see it at a licensed site.

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Now that you are clued up on the main types of baccarat, you should be able to spot the differences between variations and adjust your expectations accordingly. Remember to check which version of the game you are playing and consider any unique features. Our easy baccarat tips should help you along the way. Why not test yourself out with a few hands of lightning baccarat? You can play NetEnt’s innovative game at the following recommended online casino:

Baccarat Odds Bodies

Baccarat is a celebrity hotfoot game, enjoyed by famous faces from across the globe. You may spot the likes of Jay Z and Beyoncé enjoying a quiet game of baccarat when they visit Atlantic City’s luxurious Casa Blanca Joint. Martin Scorsese’s movie Casino features several scenes set in the fictional Tangiers Casino, and baccarat odds bodies can be seen dealing the game to wealthy patrons.

The highest echelon of the baccarat odds table features Gweneth Paltrow, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone. The film offers a fascinating insight into the inner workings of the casino industry, and the baccarat scene is well observed. Of course, the movie is a work of fiction, so do not go looking for the Tangiers Casino; it was based on the former Majestic Star Casino in Metropolis, Indiana.

Other famous names linked to baccarat include Matt Damon’s Bourne Identity character Jason Bourne, who fools a Swiss banker out of critical information by posing as a wealthy businessman at a Monte Carlo casino and joining an intense game of baccarat. Unfortunately, damage is caused, and a chase ensues. You will not suffer explosive consequences for mastering how to play baccarat at the casino, but it remains a thrilling game with plenty of advantages. Read on to discover why baccarat is often regarded as the best gambling game.

Baccarat is the Best Gambling Game

Learning how to play baccarat at a casino may seem intimidating if you are new to the game, but it is simple to pick up the basics. Moreover, our easy baccarat tips should allow you to progress to a point where you can compete with high rollers without feeling overwhelmed. But what is it that separates this game from all others in the casino? Why are celebrities flocking to its tables? In this section of our baccarat beginner’s guide, we explain why it is widely regarded as the best gambling game around.

Fast Pace – Baccarat is a very fast-paced game, with each hand taking no more than a couple of minutes to complete. That means you can fit tons of action into a short space of time, making it easy to get stuck into the action.
Simple Gameplay – Though there are variations, baccarat is mostly a one-trick pony. There are only three bets to consider, a limited number of cards to keep track of, and strict dealing procedures. It is not the easiest table game in the world, but it takes very little time to get to grips with.
Low House Edge (in One Bet) – While not an overall low house edge game, baccarat comes with one of the lowest house edges for a single bet you can find. Backing the banker’s hand at baccarat has a very low house edge of 1.06%, which is hard to beat.
Exclusive Atmosphere – Baccarat has long been associated with wealth and luxury, and it is often housed in exclusive areas of the casino. That helps to generate an air of exclusivity and sophistication, making it feel special compared with other games.
High Stakes Possibilities – Want to gamble tens of thousands of dollars on a single hand of card games? You can do just that at some baccarat tables! The high limits offered at many baccarat games create thrilling scenarios and allow you to embrace the spinorium lifestyle.
Interesting Side Bets – Though not unique to baccarat, the best baccarat side bets really bring the game to life. Wagers like Player/Banker Pair, Perfect Pairs and either a 6 or 8 will be offered at most tables, providing extra excitement and the chance to earn big payouts.

There are plenty of reasons to love baccarat, from its simplicity to its potential prizes. However, it is important to remember that no game is perfect, and this is reflected in the saying, “the gods made baccarat to teach us humility”. Tied hands mean a losing bet each round, and there is nothing you can do to influence the dealing procedure or the cards themselves. You can employ the best baccarat guidance and remain convinced that the best strategy for baccarat is to alter between player and banker bets, yet you may still lose regularly.

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If you cannot handle losing, baccarat is not the game for you. However, if you are willing to accept defeat as part of the journey to a big win, this could be your favorite type of casino card games. Embrace our baccarat basic strategy, and you could soon be living like a spinorium legend.