Learn how to play Baccarat and master the rules for winning in baccarat.

Baccarat (the game baccarat in English) is a highly popular casino game because of its simplicity and the fact that the house's odds are not greater than those of the players. Boost your winning prospects by familiarizing yourself with the rules and betting options before you begin playing. It is worth noting that baccarat has gained a significant following due to its straightforward gameplay and the relatively equal chances it offers to both participants. Take the time to grasp the intricacies of the game and explore various betting strategies to increase your chances of success.

Learn how to play baccarat.

In online baccarat, the game commences with the dealer dealing two cards to two separate hands, one hand known as the player's hand and the other referred to as the banker's hand. Baccarat is regarded as a straightforward game as the dealer takes care of all the tasks, leaving the player with the sole decision of selecting their bet type: betting on the player's hand, the banker's hand, or on a tie.

• In the Player: placing a bet on the player's hand to win.
• In the banker's hand: placing a bet on the banker winning.
• Draw: betting that both hands will have the same value.

The objective of the game of Baccarat

The aim of the game is to get as close as possible to a score of 9. There aren't many choices to make since the rules are predetermined. All you need to do is decide whom to place your bet on: the player, the banker, or less commonly, on a tie between the two. In baccarat, the term "banker" doesn't refer to the house; it's simply one of the two options for wagering on the scorecard. Once the bets are placed, the dealer will draw the cards, and you won't have any more decisions to make.

All final values should fall within the range of 0 to 9, and in cases where the total value exceeds 10, the tens digit should be disregarded (subtracted by 10), leaving only the second digit to be taken into account.

For instance, should the player be dealt an 8 and a 7, the total sum of this combination would be 15, thereby resulting in a final value of 5 (subtracting 10 from 15). Alternatively, if the player were to receive two 9s, the sum would amount to 18. Consequently, the second digit of the sum, which is 8, would be deemed the ultimate value.

Remember, the total value of the cards that will be assessed by the dealer must never surpass 9. The bank shall always consider the sum of the cards, ensuring it remains within the permissible limit of 9. Keep in mind that the dealer's evaluation hinges on maintaining a cumulative value that does not exceed 9. It is vital to bear in mind that the dealer's consideration is based on the aggregate value, which should never surpass 9 under any circumstances.

If you wager on the player's hand or the banker's hand, the payout is 1 to 1. However, placing a bet on a tie pays out at 8 to 1. In the event that you bet on the banker and win the wager, a fee will be required to be paid.

As the baccarat tables

• The baccarat table allows for the participation of up to 14 players.
• On the table, there is a marked area for each player's bet, from 1 to 15, with the number 13 being omitted due to superstitious reasons.
• The table is marked with three boxes in front of each player's number, so they can place their bets. One box is for betting on the player, one box is for betting on the banker, and one box is for betting on a tie. Players place their bets in one of the three boxes. The cards are dealt to the player and banker boxes and placed in the center of the table.
• Baccarat is played with six, eight, or nine decks, depending on the casino, and the cards are shuffled after each round.
• The Mini Baccarat table is half the size of a regular table, accommodating only seven players.

Baccarat gameplay

• You must place your chips on the player, the banker, or the tie in a betting box on the table. No cards are dealt until all bets are placed.
• In the first round, the player is dealt two face-up cards in the player's box, and the banker is also dealt two face-up cards in the banker's box. In land-based casinos, the dealer, also known as the croupier, will distribute and announce the total number of points, dictating how the game will proceed from there.
• If the banker or the player has an 8 or a 9, known as a natural hand, whoever gets closer to 9 wins and the round ends.
• If the player and the bank have an equal number of points, the tie bets win.
• If no one has a natural or a tie, the value of the player's hand will determine what happens next.
  • If the player has a 7 or a 6, they stand.
  • If the player has from 5 to 0, they will draw another card that will be added to the total value of their hand, and this will conclude the players' turn.

Rules for the player's third card

The player has a total of 2 cards.	Player action
0-5	Remove the third card.
6-7	Fica
8-9	Stays in its natural state - The hand comes to an end.

Rules for the third dealer card.

Below, you will find the predetermined rules for the dealer's third card, which will assist you in comprehending the reasons behind your winning or losing wagers. Take a look:

• If the dealer has a 7, 8, or 9, they stand.
• If the dealer has a 6 and the player's third card is a 6-7, the dealer will draw another card.
• If the dealer has a 5 and the player's third card is a 4-7, he takes another card.
• If the dealer has a 4 and the player's third card is a 2-7, the dealer takes another card.
• If the dealer has a 3 and the player's third card is any card except for 8, the dealer takes another card.
• If the dealer has 0-2, he draws another card.

Summary of the Rules for the Dealer's Third Card

Banker's Point	The Third Player's Letter
	N	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
9	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
8	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
7	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
6	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	D	D	S	S
5	D	S	S	S	S	D	D	D	D	S	S
4	D	S	S	D	D	D	D	D	D	S	S
3	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	S	D
2	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
1	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
0	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D

• The player does not withdraw the card.
• D= Withdrawn Card. (in English: "Draw Card")
• S = Remains with its cards (in English "Stand"). The third card is not removed.

Now that the round has concluded, it's time to assess the victor. The one who comes closest to 9 emerges as the winner, and in the event of a tie between the player and the banker, neither wins nor loses. But who truly triumphs with their wagers? Well, that hinges on where you placed your money.

Betting options in baccarat.

Unlike online blackjack and similar games, in baccarat, you're not playing "against" the dealer. Instead, you place your bets on the player, the banker, or the tie.

Before you wager your money in online casinos, you have the opportunity to play baccarat for free. Hone your skills and simulate various bets to gradually master the game.

How to play baccarat at brick-and-mortar casinos

Frequently Asked Questions - how to play baccarat