Baccarat How To Play: Rules, Hands and Bets
Baccarat is a card game that tends to be simple to learn and widely played in both land-based and online casinos. While the game may seem complicated at first, the basic rules are easy to understand once explained.
This blog post covers how baccarat is played, including the differences between the Player and Banker hands, the main types of bets, and how the game progresses. It also explains the typical payouts you can expect during a round.
Read on to learn more.
What Is Baccarat and How Does It Work?
Baccarat is found in both online and land-based casinos. The aim is to try to predict which of two hands, called the Player and the Banker, will finish with a total closest to nine. There is also a bet on a tie, where both hands end on the same total.
Players do not compete against each other or make decisions about drawing cards. They simply choose which outcome to back before the deal. The game then follows preset rules that decide whether either hand takes an extra card.
Only two hands are dealt in each round: one for the Player and one for the Banker. Once the cards are revealed and any automatic draws are complete, the totals are compared and the result is settled. Wondering how those totals are calculated? The rules make that simple.
Baccarat Rules Explained
Baccarat is usually played with six or eight standard decks. Card values are fixed: 2 to 9 count as their number, 10s and face cards count as zero, and aces count as one.
Each round begins with bets being placed on Player, Banker, or Tie. Both hands receive two cards. If either totals eight or nine with those two cards, this is a natural and the round ends immediately. If not, the drawing rules decide whether a third card is taken. In short, the Player hand draws a third card on totals of five or less, while the Banker hand either stands or draws based on its own total and, in some cases, on the Player’s third card. This is all handled automatically by the dealer or the game software.
The hand closest to nine wins. If the totals are the same, the round is a tie. With those basics in place, it helps to be clear about what the two hands actually represent.
Understanding Player and Banker Hands
Every round deals two hands: the Player and the Banker. These are simply labels for the two outcomes you can back, rather than seats at the table or roles taken by participants.
Both hands follow the same goal of finishing as close to nine as possible and both use the same drawing framework described earlier. The labels do not give control to anyone at the table. They do, however, affect potential payouts later on, which is why you will often see a commission applied to Banker wins. That point will make more sense once we look at the available bets.
What Are the Possible Bets in Baccarat?
There are three main bets:
- Player, where you back the Player hand to finish closer to nine than the Banker.
- Banker, where you back the Banker hand to finish closer to nine than the Player.
- Tie, where you back both hands to end on the same total.
If the result is a tie and you’ve bet on the Player or Banker, those main bets are usually a push, meaning your stake is returned. While successful Tie bets may offer higher payouts, they also have a much higher house edge, which makes them less favourable over time.
Some versions also offer optional side bets, such as Player Pair or Banker Pair, which pay if the first two cards of that hand form a pair. These optional bets typically have different payout rates and a different chance of winning to the main bets.
Now that the choices are clear, it is worth understanding how the numbers on the cards translate into a hand total.
How Is a Hand Scored in Baccarat?
Scoring is straightforward. Cards 2 to 9 are worth their number, aces are worth one, and 10s, Jacks, Queens and Kings are worth zero. Add the card values together and use only the last digit if the total reaches double figures. For example, 7 and 8 make 15, which scores as 5. A 9 and an ace total 10, which scores as 0.
Nine is the highest total, and both hands are trying to finish as close to nine as they can. With that in mind, here is how a round typically plays out from the first bet to the final result.
Baccarat Gameplay Step by Step
A round begins with bets being placed on Player, Banker, or Tie. The dealer then deals two cards to each hand. If either hand totals eight or nine with the first two cards, it is a natural and the round ends there. Otherwise, the preset drawing rules kick in, potentially adding a third card to one or both hands. No one at the table chooses whether to draw; the game takes care of it.
Once any third cards are dealt, the totals are compared. The hand closest to nine wins. If both hands have the same total, the Tie bet wins and, in most versions, Player and Banker bets are returned. The dealer settles the round and the next one begins, following the same rhythm.
With the flow of a round clear, the final piece is how those winning bets are paid.
What Are the Payouts in Baccarat?
If you choose to play baccarat, you’ll find that the three main bets usually follow standard payout rates, although the exact details may vary depending on the version of the game.
If you were to place a bet on the Player hand and it wins, the payout is typically 1 to 1. So, for instance, a £10 bet would return £10 in winnings, plus your original £10 stake.
A winning Banker bet also usually pays 1 to 1, but with a 5% commission deducted from the winnings. In this case, a £10 bet would typically return £9.50 in winnings, along with your £10 stake. However, some game versions remove the commission and instead adjust how certain Banker wins pay, so it’s a good idea to check the specific rules at the table before you begin.
If you were to bet on a Tie, a win commonly pays out at 8 to 1, and sometimes 9 to 1, depending on the game. Because rules can differ, it’s always worth reviewing the paytable in advance, especially if side bets are available. If the round ends in a tie and you didn’t bet on it, Player and Banker bets are usually returned, unless the version you’re playing states otherwise.
That’s the basic structure of baccarat: straightforward decisions, automatic gameplay, and clearly defined payouts.
Remember, baccarat is ultimately a game of chance. Payouts vary depending on the specific rules and house edge of the game version, and all outcomes are entirely random. If you choose to play, be sure to set limits and always practice responsible gambling.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to this game are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.