Baccarat Rules for Beginners: Every Term Explained
Baccarat, often seen as the crown jewel of casino games, shines brightly whether you’re playing in the plush surroundings of a land-based casino or the slick interface of an online casino. Yet, for beginners, the glitz and glamour can sometimes mask the nuts and bolts of the game, making it seem more complicated than it really is.
Fear not—mastering Baccarat is less daunting than it first appears. This guide will strip back the complexities and have you placing bets with confidence in no time.
How Do I Win At Baccarat?
The goal in Baccarat is simple: predict the winning hand. Will it be Banco (Banker), Player, or a Tie? Each round starts with the dealer dishing out cards for the Banco and Player hands. Victory goes to the hand that tallies up closest to nine. Choose wisely, and you could find yourself on the winning side!
Payouts in Baccarat depend on your bet. Opting for the Player nets you even money at 1:1, while betting on the Banco also pays at 1:1 but with a slight catch—a 5% commission. Fancy a long shot? A Tie pays out at a generous 8:1.
Key Baccarat Terms
If you’re scratching your head over some of the terms, don’t worry. Keep this guide handy, and you’ll soon be talking the talk and walking the walk of a seasoned player. Stick around, and let’s delve deeper into the art of winning at Baccarat.
| Term | What It Means |
| ?? Bankroll | Money set aside for playing baccarat. |
| ?? Baccarat | The name of this game and the worst possible hand (baccarat means zero in Italian).) |
| ?? Banco | Refers to the Banker, both as a bet and the dealer. Pays out 1:1, but the house takes a 5% commission from winnings. |
| ?? Commission | A 5% fee charged by the house on Banco profits. |
| ? Draw | Taking a third card to improve the Players or the Banco/Bankers baccarat hand. |
| ?? Face Card | Jacks, Queens, or Kings and Tens (10). All have a value of zero in baccarat. |
| ?? House Edge | The advantage the casino has over players. Assume the house edge is 2%. If you wager $1/hand over 100 rounds, the house will (on average) make a $2 profit over that span. However, due to short-term luck, players could turn a profit over the same period. |
| ?? Natural | A hand worth 8 or 9 points. A Natural is the best hand in baccarat, so it automatically wins the round for the Banco/Banker or the Player. |
| ?? Player | A bet on the player hand to win, pays out 1:1 with no commission. |
| ?? ?? Punto Banco | A popular baccarat variant invented in Argentina in the 1950s. |
| ??? ?? Stand | When the Banco/Banker or Player refuses additional cards. Unlike blackjack, this action is automatically done according to game rules. |
| ?? Tie | Betting that both the Player and Banco/Banker will get the same score. Pays out 8:1. |
How Are Baccarat Hands Scored?
Baccarat may seem like a dance of chance, but understanding the value of the cards puts you one step ahead. Let’s break it down: number cards (2-9) are easy, holding their face value.
Pull a 4 of diamonds? That’s four points. Aces? They’re modest, only scoring a point each. The high rollers on the deck – Jacks, Queens, Kings, and 10s – might look grand, but in Baccarat, they’re worth a flat zero.
Calculating your total in Baccarat has its quirks. Once you receive your first two cards, sum them up. But here’s the kicker: if your total hits double digits, the left digit drops. For instance, pair up a 7 and a 5, and your hefty 12 becomes a lean 2.
Why Should I Bet On The Banker In Baccarat?
Why does the Banco (Banker) often have the upper hand? It boils down to the order of play. With insight into the Player’s final score, the Banco strategizes with a set of established rules, optimizing chances of victory.
Though the house takes a cut from Banco wins, don’t let that deter you. This bet still maintains a thinner house edge compared to the Player, making it a potentially more profitable gamble.
Curious how this edge can play to your advantage? Keep reading as we dive deeper into the strategies that could have you leaving the table with a heavier pocket.
Baccarat Vs. Blackjack – Which Has Better Odds?
Blackjack has a friendlier house edge (as low as 0.45%) on paper. But to achieve this mark, you must find an online casino that offers single-deck Blackjack, And even then, you must hit, stand, split, and double down correctly in every single hand.
Now, Baccarat has a house edge of 1.06% if you bet on the Banker exclusively. That may be higher than Blackjack’s theoretical house edge, but in Baccarat, decisions are non-existent.
So if you’re looking for an easy game with a low house advantage, Baccarat might be right for you.
Can Baccarat Be Beaten?
In real-world casinos, it’s possible to beat baccarat. This is because you can reliably predict coming cards in future rounds by edge sorting (examining the backs of cards for irregularities).
But in online Baccarat, this is not possible. And despite what boosters of Baccarat systems claim, you cannot outrun this game’s math in the long run. However, it is possible to win in the short-term.
How Do I Play Baccarat?
Now that we’ve reviewed the rules, key terms and answered common questions, let’s walk through a baccarat round together.
- Place your bets. After the dealer clears the baccarat table from the previous round, place your wager. Usually, you have three options – the Banco/Banker, the Player, or the Tie. However, in some games, side bets on Banco/Player Pairs may be available.
- Cards are dealt. The dealer deals two cards to the Banco/Banker and the Player. The dealer then announces the value of each hand.
- Third cards (when necessary) are dealt. If neither the Banco/Banker nor the Player has a natural (an 8 or 9 point hand), the dealer deals a third card per game rules.
- Showdown. The dealer declares the winner (Banco/Banker, Player, or Tie), then pays out the winners.
Now you have a basic understanding of the rules, check out our comprehensive list of the best online casinos for Live Baccarat in New Zealand.
