How to Play Baccarat: A Beginner's Guide

Baccarat has long held a reputation as the most exclusive, intimidating game on the casino floor.

Many beginners assume that a game favored by the elite must have incredibly complex rules and require deep strategic knowledge.

Despite its luxurious aura, Baccarat requires absolutely zero skill, strategy, or memorization to play perfectly.

Furthermore, Baccarat offers some of the absolute best mathematical odds available to a casino player.

In this article, we will completely demystify the game of Baccarat for the absolute beginner.

The Objective: Getting Closer to Nine

The entire premise of Baccarat is to bet on which of two hands will have a total score closest to the number 9.

Before any cards are dealt, you place your chips in one of three betting circles in front of you: Player, Banker, or Tie.

Once bets are placed, the dealer deals exactly two cards to the Player hand and two cards to the Banker hand.

The total score of a hand is simply the sum of its cards; however, if the total exceeds 9, you drop the first digit.

Because you drop the first digit, it is mathematically impossible to "bust" or go over 9 in Baccarat.

The Dealer Does All the Work

If the Player's initial total is 0 through 5, they must draw a third card; if it is 6 or 7, they stand.

The rules for the Banker drawing a third card are even more complicated, depending on the Banker's total AND the value of the Player's third card.

The casino dealer has memorized the complex matrix and handles all the card drawing strictly according to the rules.

This is why Baccarat is a game of pure, unadulterated chance; your choices cannot positively or negatively affect the outcome of the cards.

Do not let the complex mechanics of the dealer deter you from playing this incredibly simple game.

The Only Strategy: Always Bet on the Banker

To do this, we must look at the house edge associated with each of the three possible wagers: Player, Banker, and Tie.

If you bet on the "Player" hand and it wins, you are paid 1 to 1 (even money). The house edge on the Player bet is a very respectable 1.24%.

Because the Banker bet has a built-in mathematical advantage, the casino charges a 5% commission on all winning Banker bets.

Many professional players will simply sit at a table and stubbornly bet the Banker every single hand, completely ignoring the results board.

Finally, you must avoid the "Tie" bet at all costs; it is famously one of the worst sucker bets in the entire casino.

Essential Rules for Beginners

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• Scoring: Add the cards together and drop the first digit (e.g., 8 + 7 = 15. The score is 5).
  
• The Tie Bet: Pays 8 to 1. House Edge is 14.36%. An absolute trap. Never place chips on the Tie.
  
• The Third Card Rule: A complex set of rules the dealer follows. You do not need to memorize or understand it.
  
• Commission: Do not forget that the dealer will take 5% of your Banker winnings; they usually keep track and collect it when you leave.
  

The Two Most Popular Card Games

Baccarat is the ultimate paradox of the casino: it looks incredibly sophisticated but is actually the easiest game in the building.

If you are tired of memorizing Blackjack charts or staring blankly at slot machines, Baccarat is the perfect escape.

Good luck, and may you always draw a natural nine.