You’ve seen it in the movies. James Bond is sitting at a velvet-covered table in Montenegro, wearing a tuxedo that costs more than your car, looking intensely at a couple of cards while a crowd of glamorous onlookers gasps. Because of that, most people assume baccarat is some high-stakes, complex puzzle reserved for the elite.
Honestly? That’s total nonsense.
Learning how to play baccarat is actually easier than learning how to play Blackjack or even some variations of Poker. You basically just sit there. You don’t even have to make decisions once the hand starts. It’s a game of chance where the house edge is surprisingly low, making it one of the better bets on the floor if you know which side to pick. If you can count to nine, you’re overqualified.
The game revolves around two hands: the Player and the Banker. Don’t get confused by the names. You aren't "the Player," and the guy in the suit isn't "the Banker." They’re just the names of the two betting options. You’re just a spectator betting on which side will win, or if they’ll end up in a draw.
The basic mechanics of the baccarat table
In a standard game, usually found in the "high limit" rooms or the more accessible "mini-baccarat" tables on the main floor, the goal is to get as close to a total of nine as possible. Each hand gets at least two cards, but never more than three.
Now, the card values are where it gets a little weird for beginners. Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth zero. Aces are worth one. Everything else is face value. If your total goes over ten, you just drop the first digit. For example, if the hand is a 7 and an 8, that’s 15. In baccarat, you drop the "1" and your total is 5. Simple, right?
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Most people get tripped up by the "Third Card Rule." This is a set of specific instructions that tells the dealer when to hit or stand. The beauty of it is that you don't actually need to memorize it to play. The dealer does all the math. It’s not like Blackjack where you have to decide to "hit" or "stay." The game is on rails.
Why the Banker bet is almost always the right move
If you look at the math provided by experts like the late Michael Shackleford, famously known as the "Wizard of Odds," the Banker bet has a house edge of about 1.06%. The Player bet is slightly worse at 1.24%.
Why is the Banker better?
The Banker hand acts last, which gives it a slight statistical advantage over the Player hand. Because of this edge, the casino usually takes a 5% commission on all winning Banker bets. Even with that commission, it’s still the smartest bet at the table. Seriously. If you walked into a casino and just bet on the Banker every single time, you’d be playing one of the most mathematically sound games in the building.
Avoid the Tie bet.
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Just don't do it.
The Tie bet usually pays out 8:1 or 9:1, which looks tempting when you see the scoreboard. However, the house edge on a Tie bet is a brutal 14.36% (at an 8:1 payout). It’s a "sucker bet" designed to drain your bankroll while you wait for a rare occurrence.
Understanding the "Natural" and the flow of a hand
When you’re learning how to play baccarat, you’ll hear the term "Natural." This happens when either the Player or the Banker is dealt an 8 or a 9 with their first two cards. If that happens, the hand is over immediately. No more cards are dealt. It’s an instant win (unless it’s a tie).
If no one has a natural, things get a bit more procedural.
- The Player hand always goes first. If the Player has a total of 0-5, they draw a third card. If they have a 6 or 7, they stand.
- The Banker’s turn depends on the Player. If the Player stood (didn't take a third card), the Banker follows the same rule: draw on 0-5, stand on 6-7.
- The complicated part. If the Player did take a third card, the Banker follows a specific chart based on what that third card was.
For instance, if the Banker has a 3, they draw a third card unless the Player’s third card was an 8. If the Banker has a 6, they only draw if the Player’s third card was a 6 or 7. Again, you don't need to know this to win money. The dealer is literally paid to know this so you don't have to.
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Etiquette and the "Squeeze"
In high-stakes rooms, you might see players slowly peeking at the corners of the cards, bending them, or blowing on them for luck. This is called "the squeeze." In mini-baccarat, the cards are dealt face up and you aren't allowed to touch them. If you’re a beginner, stick to the mini-baccarat tables. It’s faster, the minimums are lower (usually $10 to $25 compared to $100+ in the big rooms), and there's way less pressure.
Also, don't worry about the "scorecards." You’ll see people frantically marking down patterns on pieces of paper, trying to predict if a "streak" is coming. Mathematically, each hand is an independent event. The cards don't remember what happened last time. Those charts are mostly there to keep you engaged and betting more.
Real-world strategy for your first session
Look, there is no "system" that beats the house edge in baccarat. Anyone selling you a foolproof way to win is lying. But there are ways to play smarter so you stay at the table longer.
- Stick to the Banker. It’s boring, but it’s the best math.
- Manage your bankroll. Decide how much you’re willing to lose before you sit down. If you hit that limit, walk away.
- Ignore the Tie bet. I know I said this already, but it bears repeating. It’s the fastest way to lose your shirt.
- Check the commissions. Some "no commission" baccarat games exist, but they usually have a catch—like a winning Banker bet on a specific number (usually a 6) only paying half.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're ready to actually try this out, your first move shouldn't be heading to the $100 table at the Bellagio.
Start by finding an online casino that offers "demo" or "free play" baccarat. Use this to get used to the rhythm of the game and see how the third-card rules play out in real-time. Once you feel comfortable with the flow, find a Mini-Baccarat table at a local casino during a slow time (like a weekday morning). Tell the dealer you're new. Most dealers are happy to help you understand the betting process as long as the table isn't slammed.
Keep your bets consistent, avoid the "chase," and remember that at the end of the day, baccarat is just a sophisticated way to flip a coin.