- Bet on Banker, Player or Tie – the dealer does the rest.
- The Banker bet has the lowest house edge, at about 1.06%.
- The Tie bet has a much higher house edge – best avoided.
Baccarat rules
Two hands are dealt: Banker and Player. Cards are worth face value, tens and picture cards are worth 0, and aces are worth 1. Only the last digit of a hand total counts, so 15 is worth 5. The hand closest to 9 wins. Whether a third card is drawn follows fixed rules – you make no decisions after betting.
Baccarat bets and odds
| Bet | Pays | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| Banker | 1 to 1 (minus 5% commission) | About 1.06% |
| Player | 1 to 1 | About 1.24% |
| Tie | Usually 8 to 1 | About 14.4% |
Live baccarat
Live baccarat is streamed from studios with real dealers, including speed and "squeeze" versions. All five casinos we rate offer live baccarat or live table games – see live casino.
Baccarat tips
- The Banker bet offers the best odds, even after commission.
- Avoid the Tie bet.
- Ignore "patterns" – each hand is independent.
Baccarat variants
- Punto Banco – the standard online version.
- Speed baccarat – faster rounds in live casino.
- No commission baccarat – no commission on Banker wins, but a Banker win on 6 usually pays less.
- Squeeze baccarat – cards revealed slowly for suspense.
The third card rule
Whether the Player or Banker draws a third card is decided by fixed rules based on the totals – you never have to decide. The Player stands on 6 or 7 and draws on 0–5; the Banker's draw depends on its total and the Player's third card.
Is there a baccarat strategy?
Because you make no decisions after betting, the only real strategy is bet selection: back the Banker for the lowest house edge, avoid the Tie, and manage your budget. Betting systems that change stakes after wins or losses do not change the odds.
Where to play baccarat
Compare the casinos we rate on our best online casinos page, and see live casino for live tables.
Baccarat vs blackjack
| Baccarat | Blackjack | |
|---|---|---|
| Decisions | None after betting | Hit, stand, double, split |
| Best house edge | About 1.06% (Banker) | Around 0.5% with basic strategy |
| Learning curve | Very easy | Moderate |
See our blackjack guide.
Mini baccarat and live tables
Mini baccarat uses the same rules as standard baccarat with lower stakes and faster rounds, making it a good place to start. Live baccarat tables stream real dealers and cards, with variants such as speed baccarat for quicker play. Whichever you choose, the Banker bet keeps the lowest house edge.
Baccarat terms
- Natural – a two-card total of 8 or 9, which ends the hand.
- Commission – the 5% usually taken from Banker wins.
- Shoe – the box holding multiple decks of cards.
Baccarat and your budget
Baccarat rounds are quick, especially in speed versions, so it is easy to play more hands than you planned. Set a session budget and a time limit before you sit down.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best bet in baccarat?
The Banker bet, with a house edge of about 1.06%.
Is baccarat a game of skill?
No – you only choose your bet; the drawing rules are fixed.