Baccarat Basics
Baccarat is one of the simplest casino card games. Two hands are dealt — the Player and the Banker — and you bet on which will have a total closest to 9. You can also bet on a Tie.
Despite its reputation as a high-roller game, online baccarat is accessible to all budgets. The rules are fixed, meaning no skill or decision-making is required once the bet is placed.
Card Values
Cards 2-9 are worth their face value. Aces count as 1. Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 0. If a hand total exceeds 9, only the second digit counts (e.g., 15 becomes 5).
The best possible hand is a "natural" 9, followed by a natural 8. If either the Player or Banker is dealt a natural, no more cards are drawn.
Drawing Rules
If neither hand has a natural, drawing rules apply. The Player draws a third card if their total is 0-5, and stands on 6-7. The Banker's draw depends on both their own total and the Player's third card.
You don't need to memorise these rules — the dealer (or software) handles everything automatically. Just place your bet and watch the action unfold.
Betting Options and House Edge
Banker bet: 1.06% house edge (a 5% commission is charged on wins). Player bet: 1.24% house edge. Tie bet: approximately 14.4% house edge — avoid this bet.
The Banker bet is statistically the best option in baccarat. While the 5% commission reduces your payout, the Banker hand wins slightly more often than the Player hand.