Ever wondered which table games are the easiest to play? It’s not roulette, and it’s certainly not poker. While what defines as “easy to play” is different for everyone, one of the best games for new players is actually baccarat. But how exactly do you play it?
This guide will take you through everything you need to know about how to play baccarat, from what it is, how card values work, and the different game variations.
What Is Baccarat?
Baccarat is a classic casino card game that many people often compare to blackjack, though they differ quite a bit. Unlike blackjack, baccarat doesn’t require you to decide whether to hit, stand, double down, or actively build the strongest hand for yourself.
Instead, your job is to predict who will have a total hand closer to the value of nine between the Player and the Banker. These don’t necessarily refer to the people at the table, but rather the hands themselves. For instance, the two cards on the left side of the table might be the Banker’s cards, and the cards on the right are the Player’s.
Before the cards are even dealt, you get to decide between one of three bets:
- Player: You are betting that the Player hand will finish closer to nine.
- Banker: You think the Banker hand will finish closer to nine.
- Tie: You are betting that the Player and Banker hands will finish with the same score.
In some game variations, there may also be Side Bets available, like Player Pair or Banker Pair.
How Do Baccarat Card Values Work?
While baccarat is generally considered a straightforward game, the scoring might seem strange to some players. Before you can figure out how they’re scored, here’s a quick look at the different card values:
- Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) and 10 = 0 points
- Ace = 1 point
- Number cards (2–9) = Face value, e.g., 4 = 4 points
Because the highest possible value you can get is nine, only the final digit of the card total counts toward your hand. For example, if you have an eight of diamonds and a six of spades, your total card values are taken at face value, i.e., 8 + 6 = 14. Only the last digit will count, so your total hand value will be four.
However, let’s say you have a 10 of diamonds and a four of spades. You might think the value will be 10 + 4, but because 10 has a point value of 0, the actual value is 0 + 4. The total hand value still ends up being four, regardless, but the way we get there is a little different.
How to Play Baccarat?
Now that you know the basics, let’s go over the game step-by-step. It’s one of the faster-paced table games out there, so there isn’t a lot that goes into a standard game of baccarat.
1. Choose Your Bet
Before the cards are dealt, you need to decide which outcome you’re backing, so which hand you think will finish closer to nine. You can choose between Player, Banker, or Tie.
2. The Player and Banker Receive Two Cards
Next, the dealer will give each hand two cards. You don’t have to choose which cards are dealt, how it’s done, or whether another card should be drawn later, as these are done based on predetermined rules.
3. The Hands Are Calculated
Once the cards are turned over and the values are revealed, their totals are calculated using the game scoring system. Again, the most important thing to remember is that only the final digit matters.
During this time, you might hear the terms “natural” or “natural hand” being used. These are simply casino terms used to refer to a hand that has a total of eight or nine. That means that no further cards are drawn, and the two hands are compared. If neither hand has a natural, then the game moves on to third-card rules.
4. A Third Card May Be Dealt
This is where things start feeling a little complicated. How exactly do you determine whether a third card is dealt to the Player or Banker hand? Luckily, in the more common Punto Banco game variant, the third card is determined by existing rules, so the dealer will handle that for you.
5. The Winning Hand Is Determined and Winnings Are Paid
Once the cards are all dealt, the hand totals are added up and compared to determine the winning hand, and then the winnings are paid out accordingly. You can generally expect a Banker and Player bet to have 1:1 payouts, and a Tie bet has about an 8:1. These payouts aren’t the same for every table or every type of baccarat, so make sure to check the specific game rules and payouts before you start.
How Does the Third-Card Rule Work in Baccarat?
Remember that third card rule we mentioned earlier? It’s one of the most distinctive features of baccarat. But now, you might be wondering how it works. Well, the rules differ slightly by hand.
The Player’s rules are relatively simple. When the player’s total is between 0 and 5, a third card is drawn. If the total is 6 or 7, the hand stands. If it’s 8 or 9, it’s a natural, so no third card is dealt for either hand.
For the Banker bet, it’s a bit more complex. If the Player stands after two cards, the Banker will draw a third card on a total between 0 and 5 and stand on a total of 6 or 7. If the Player draws a third card, the Banker’s decision will depend on both the value of its own total and the value of the Player’s third card.
Regardless of whether or not these rules are complicated, you don’t have to worry about them. The dealer or the online game you’re playing will be making those decisions for you. The only thing you really need to do in a game of baccarat is choose your bet and watch the game play out.
Different Types of Baccarat
The most common form of baccarat you’ll encounter is Punto Banco, but there are a few other variants that are worth considering too. Let’s look at a few others and their differences, so you can decide which one suits you best.
Punto Banco
This is the most widely recognised, more modern form of baccarat. It uses fixed rules to determine whether the Player or Banker hands will get a third card. The main distinction for this game variant is that you don’t have to make any decisions other than the bet you choose at the start of the round.
Chemin de Fer
Chemin de Fer is a traditional French variant of baccarat where players have a little more involvement in the game. Rules still govern when third cards are dealt, but this time, players have turns acting as the Banker. This variant is slightly tougher as you’ll have to take time learning the third card rules.
Baccarat Banque
The next variant is called Baccarat Banque, which again, is only different based on the way the Banker is handled. In this game, the Banker (or dealer) position is held by one designated player and doesn’t rotate the same way as it does in Chemin de Fer.
Mini Baccarat
Mini Baccarat takes the basic rules of the game and places them in a slightly smaller and faster format. It usually has a smaller table with fewer players, while the dealer/Banker handles the cards. It’s a great choice for beginner players, because it follows the same simple rules, but in a slightly less formal setting compared to traditional baccarat tables.
Live Baccarat
Last up, we have live baccarat. This combines the best of both worlds – the convenience of online play and the atmosphere of a real casino. Instead of going to a physical casino, you can play online baccarat games that do the same thing, but from your device. The best part? These have a lot more variety in terms of mechanics, rules, and design, which aren’t really possible with in-person games.
Play Baccarat Online With playTSOGO
Now that you’ve got the basics down, you’re ready to explore the world of baccarat for yourself. On playTSOGO, we have tons of online baccarat games for you to choose from, with different rules, themes, and unique mechanics.
Simply log in or register an account with playTSOGO, browse our game selection, and find one that best suits you. Then you can really put your knowledge to the test.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is baccarat difficult to learn?
Not at all. In fact, baccarat is generally considered one of the best games for new players. The rules are easy enough to learn, but most of all, there aren’t any major decisions involved for the player. All you need to do is pick a bet and let the dealer handle the rest.
What is the best bet in baccarat?
There is no guaranteed bet in baccarat that will allow you to win. Although technically-speaking, the bets with the lowest house edge and higher chance of winning are the Banker and Player bets. They have a slightly higher probability of winning compared to the Tie bet which is much less common.
What happens if the Player and Banker have the same score?
If the Player and Banker bet have the same score, then the Tie bet wins.
Is baccarat the same as Blackjack?
No, baccarat and blackjack aren’t the same. The rules for blackjack and baccarat is similar in the sense that the goal is to get as close to a certain value as possible, without going over it. In blackjack, that value is 21. In baccarat, it’s nine.
