Baccarat: explained

Learn to play the game of Baccarat

Baccarat is a popular card game that is played at casinos across the globe. Unlike most table games, such as Blackjack or Poker, this game does not require you to play your hand. Instead, all players bet on two hands that are common for all. These are called the Banker and the Player.

This card game originated in France, but its heritage has traces of Italian and even Asian influences. Until the 20th century, it was mainly reserved for high rollers, but today, it is available online to all players.

Understanding the basic rules of the game is essential to learning how to play Baccarat online. The majority of this guide will focus on the classic version of the game, but as you’ll see later on, there are several variants that feature different rules or features.

Most Baccarat games begin with two cards being dealt to either hand. There are instances where a third card is also dealt. The winning hand is the one that has the higher value, and this is determined by the value of the cards it holds.

As a result of the simple rules of Baccarat, the gameplay is normally fast-paced and engaging. There are no long waiting times until you get to the result, and this means that you can play the game even if you’ve only got limited time at your disposal. Moreover, since RNG and Live Baccarat games are available on mobile, you can play this game from anywhere.

Table layout

The Baccarat table is very similar to that used in Blackjack and other popular card games. If you’re playing a Live Baccarat game, you’ll find the dealer sitting behind the table with a spot for the Banker’s and Player’s hands to be shown. Each player sits at a table spot where they can bet on either hand or a tie.

If you’re playing RNG Baccarat, you won’t see the dealer or positions for other players. Instead, you’ll only see a virtual Baccarat table where you can place your own chips as well as spots for the Banker and Player hands to be dealt.

If you’re still learning how to play Baccarat online, you’ll find the markers and signposts painted onto the table useful. However, once you’ve played a few rounds you’ll find yourself knowing precisely where to place your chips and where the cards are dealt.

Baccarat gameplay

The following is a step-by-step guide to help you learn how to play Baccarat online. These steps are based on the classic version of the game. Different variants or versions of the game, such as Andar Bahar, play out differently.

1. At the start of every new round of Baccarat, players are invited to place their bets. You can use the graphic interface to select the value of your chips and place a bet on the Banker, the Player, or a Tie.
2. When betting time passes, or you confirm that you’ve completed placing your wager, the dealer or computer begins to deal the cards. The Player hand receives the first and third cards, whilst the Banker gets the second and fourth cards. All cards are dealt facing up.
3. The values of each hand are tallied by the dealer or computer. Third cards are dealt if applicable.
4. The winning hand is determined and any bets placed on this hand are paid out automatically. In the case of a draw, any bets placed on a Tie are paid out and all other bets lose.

Even if you’ve never played the game before, you can learn how to play Baccarat just by watching a few rounds play out. You can also find help in the game’s options and you can ask live dealer questions directly.

When is the Baccarat third card dealt?

Depending on the cards that are dealt to either the Player or Banker, a third card may be dealt to one or both hands. There are very strict rules that govern if and when this can happen, and they are all listed for you below.

In Baccarat, a third card will be dealt if:

• The Player’s hand has a value of five or less. If the value of the Player’s hand is six or higher then no third card is dealt.

• The Player has not gotten the third card, the Banker’s hand is dealt a third card only if the value of the hand is five or less.

• The Player receives a third card, then the banker will also receive a third card if any of the following conditions apply:

  • The hand has a value of two or less.
  • The hand has a value of three, a third card is drawn unless the Player’s third card is an 8.
  • The hand has a value of four, a third card is drawn unless the Player’s third card is a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.
  • The hand has a value of five, a third card is drawn unless the Player’s third card is a 4, 5, 6, or 7.
  • The hand has a value of six, a third card is drawn unless the Player’s third card is a 6 or 7.

How to calculate a hand’s value?

To determine which hand is the winner, the cards held within the hand are added up. The hand that has the higher value wins, but calculating the points is not as straightforward as you might hope.

An important part of learning how to play Baccarat is to understand the different values of the cards. Unlike in Blackjack, aces always carry a value of one. Numbers 2 to 9 retain their face value, whilst 10, Jack, Queen, and King have absolutely no value whatsoever.

Moreover, when adding card values together, you will need to ignore any double-digit values and instead focus on the right-hand number of the total. All this is best explained with a couple of examples.

Let’s imagine that a hand is dealt an ace and a 2. This means that the hand value is three. So far, it’s simple enough.

Now, let’s imagine that another hand is made up of a 10 and a 5. This means that the hand value is five since the 10 has no value.

Let’s complicate matters slightly and consider a hand that has a 6 and an 8. Together, these cards have a value of 14, however, in Baccarat only the 4 is counted.

This means that, when you play Baccarat, the highest value that either hand can have is nine.

Betting options in Baccarat

Baccarat gives you the option to bet on three possible outcomes. You can either bet on either the Banker or Player hands to win or for them to tie. Each one of these bets provides a different potential payout.

• A winning bet on the Player pays out 1:1.
• A winning bet on the Banker pays out 1:1 but also includes a 5% commission.
• A winning bet on the Tie pays out between 8:1 and 9:1.

Can I avoid paying the Baccarat Banker commission?

Yes, you can avoid paying the 5% commission by playing No Commission Baccarat. This variant is based upon the classic version of the game but pays out evenly when a Banker’s hand wins. However, to make up for this feature, a different payout rule applies.

When the Banker hand wins with a hand value of six, payouts are subject to a 50% commission.

Are Tie bets worth it?

Statistically speaking, a bet on a Tie is extremely unlikely, and this is the reason behind the high potential payout. When you bet on a Tie, the house’s edge is equal to 14.4%, whilst a bet on the Player carries a house edge of 1.24%. The house edge on Banker bets is the lowest, at 1.06%, and this is the reason for the 5% commission.

Most Baccarat players would advise against betting on the Tie simply because of the mathematical rarity of this result. In reality, however, this table game is a game of chance that could lead to any possible result with every new turn.