Mastering Baccarat: Rules And Basic Strategy

Despite its glamorous reputation, baccarat is actually one of the simplest games in the casino.


Your only real decision is deciding which side to bet on before the cards are dealt.

The Fundamental Rules of Baccarat

The objective of the game is to bet on the hand that will score closest to nine.


Cards two through nine are worth their face value, while tens and face cards are worth zero.

No player decisions are required during the handAces are always worth exactly one pointA natural 8 or 9 ends the round immediately
Which Baccarat Bet is Best?

Mathematically, the Banker bet is the safest wager you can make on the casino floor.


The Player bet is also excellent, offering a low house edge of approximately 1.24% with no commission.

The Danger of Betting on a Tie

The Tie bet offers a tempting payout of 8 to 1, but it comes with a massive catch.


Smart players universally agree that the Tie bet should be completely ignored at all times.

OptionCasino AdvantageRecommendationPlayer HandLowGood BetTie Option14.36%Never Bet

By simply betting on the Banker consistently, you are playing with near-optimal mathematical efficiency.