Baccarat has long held a reputation as the most exclusive, intimidating game on the casino floor.
Because of this glamorous reputation, the average casino player often feels too intimidated to even approach a Baccarat table.
Despite its luxurious aura, Baccarat requires absolutely zero skill, strategy, or memorization to play perfectly.
If you can guess heads or tails, you have all the necessary skills to play and win at Baccarat.
In this article, we will completely demystify the game of Baccarat for the absolute beginner.
Understanding the Basic Goal of the Game
Your only job is to guess which of these two hands will end up closer to the magic number of nine.
They are simply two arbitrary hands of cards; you are merely placing a wager on the outcome of their duel.
The scoring system is very specific: cards 2 through 9 are worth their face value, and Aces are worth 1 point.
For example, if a hand is dealt a 7 and an 8, the sum is 15. You drop the "1", making the true value of the hand a 5.
The hand with the final score closest to 9 wins the round. It is incredibly simple arithmetic.
The Dealer Does All the Work
The rules governing whether a third card is drawn are incredibly complex, based on a rigid mathematical matrix.
Looking at the third-card chart can cause a beginner to instantly panic and walk away from the table.
As a player, you make absolutely no decisions regarding drawing cards or standing.
Your involvement in the game completely ends the moment you place your chips on the betting circle.
Your only required skill is pointing at the table and placing a chip on one of the three options.
The Only Strategy: Always Bet on the Banker
The math clearly dictates that one of these bets is significantly superior to the other two.
The Banker hand will win approximately 50.68% of the time (excluding ties).
If you bet $100 on the Banker and win, the dealer will pay you $95 (keeping $5 as the commission).
Betting the Banker minimizes your long-term losses and gives you the absolute best odds of walking away a winner.
Finally, you must avoid the "Tie" bet at all costs; it is famously one of the worst sucker bets in the entire casino.
The Baccarat Cheat Sheet
Scoring: Add the cards together and drop the first digit (e.g., 8 + 7 = 15. The score is 5). The Player Bet: Pays 1 to 1. House Edge is 1.24%. A perfectly fine, safe bet to make. 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
Game FeatureBlackjack (Basic Strategy)Baccarat (Banker Bet) Mathematical EdgeHighly dependent on player skillStatic, locked in by the rules of the game Skill Level RequiredHigh (Must memorize complex strategy charts)Zero (Just point at the Banker circle) Intimidation FactorHigh (Other players will yell at you for bad moves)Low (Your bets do not affect anyone else's hand)
Do not let the high limits or the James Bond aesthetic intimidate you from enjoying this fantastic game.
If you are tired of memorizing Blackjack charts or staring blankly at slot machines, Baccarat is the perfect escape.
Whether you play live in a casino or online from your couch, Baccarat is an essential experience for any gambler.