The most important baccarat game rules

The Baccarat rules sometimes seem confusing: confusing the terms “banker” and “player” can be more challenging, but so can the card values, or how to add them up during the game. Still confused? Do not worry! You are right here! We’ll tell you the secret of the easiest way to learn baccarat! Behind the name “baccarat” is the Italian word for “zero”.

So, as the name says, here with us you learn from the bottom up! With our guide, you’ll be up and running quickly and go from a beginner to an experienced baccarat player in no time. Are you ready? Let’s go!

How does baccarat work?

First things first: Baccarat is played against the croupier. There are three sections on the game table: Player, Banker and Tie. You slip into the role of the observer when playing, i.e. you can choose which of the three denominations above you want your bet to be placed on.

It is also possible to place a side bet. This possibility is related to the cards that appear. No matter how many players are seated at the table – the dealer always deals two cards for the player hand and two for the banker hand. The cards are placed face up. The best hand is the one with a total of eight or nine.

The gameplay

How does Online baccarat actually work? The whole game is based on making decisions. In this section of the text, we will explain the rules step by step and in great detail so that you can move quickly from a beginner to an advanced player.

The three main bets
There are three outcomes in baccarat:

• player hand
• bench or
• draw

It is important to understand that the terms player and bank do not refer to the parties involved in the game. It is the name of the outcomes you are betting on, i.e. the three areas on the gaming table mentioned above. It is, well, your decision on which of the three main bets you place your wager. After that, the players and the croupier get two cards. If the hand is over a certain number of points, the third card comes into play.

The total of nine counts as the best hand. All players who correctly place their bets on one of the three main bets at the beginning of the round collect the winnings. This counts as the end of the game round. If at the end of the round the players and the banker have the same number of points, it means a tie.

The goal in baccarat

The aim of the game is to guess the winner. The player should guess whose card value is closest to 9 points and defeat the dealer.

The card values

In order to be able to calculate the points correctly, it is important to know which card has which value:

• The ace is worth 1 point.
• Numbered cards have their corresponding value.
• The ten and the face cards do not score.

If during the game round the score is greater than the total of nine, counting starts again from one.

“Natural” in baccarat

To learn baccarat, it is equally important to know the term “natural”. If the player or the bank gets a total of 8 or 9 when the first two cards are dealt, such an event is called “natural” and in this case either the player or the bank wins.

• If the two parties involved achieve the same number of points, a tie results. Play continues if no natural is dealt.
• If the player gets 5 or less points, the croupier will deal the third card for the player. The dealer can also deal a third card to the banker’s hand, but that depends on the stats received by both parties.

The game variants

At the beginning we clarified the origin of the word “baccarat”. The focus is on the Italian word for “zero” because baccarat was first played in medieval Italy. Gradually, the game gained wide attention worldwide, resulting in numerous game modes. Baccarat is a diverse game, as evidenced by both the history of the name and the set of rules.

If you feel like playing one or more rounds of baccarat, there are different versions available:

• Casinos near you
• Video Baccarat against the computer
• Live Casino

You can try this game at a casino near you at a real gaming table. Nowadays there are a wide range of alternatives to playing baccarat online: e.g. video baccarat against the computer. The random number generator determines which cards are revealed.

You can also try out baccarat in the live casino. You sit at a gaming table and play against the croupier as if you were actually there. The whole experience is realistic. There are many variants of the game where you could use the rules such as speed baccarat, dragon tiger baccarat etc. but here we present the four main variants of baccarat as they are the most popular and most played by players will.

Point Banco

Punto Banco is similar to the classic version of Baccarat and is usually played in online casinos. In this variant of the game, players place their bets against the croupier.

Chemin de Fer

This baccarat variant is mostly played in France. The meaning of the name is “railway” and explains the increased pace of the game. The main feature of this version is that the players play against each other and not against the dealer.

Mini Baccarat

Mini Baccarat is particularly suited to recreational players who want to squeeze a few rounds in between. This variant is played at the smaller table and the croupier takes care of faster play.

Baccarat Banque

Baccarat Banque is one of the oldest game variants. There are also similarities to Chemin de Fer, with one exception: the players do not play against each other in this version, but against the bank. The main feature of this version is the dealer who is chosen at the beginning of each round.

Baccarat Payout

While reading you had the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the most important baccarat game rules. Now you’re probably struggling with payout rules. Do not worry! With us you will learn them in no time at all!

As mentioned at the beginning – there are three main bets available for you:

• player hand
• banker
• draw

You can bet on the bank, on the player or on a tie. Before placing your bets, it is of great importance to understand the odds and the payout.

Bank

The odds of winning the bank hand are 45.86%. If you place your bets on the bank and they win, the payout is 1:1, but you will have to pay a 5% commission, meaning this commission will be deducted from your winnings.

Player

The odds for the player hand are 44.63%. If you place your bet on the player and he wins, the payout is 1:1. This time you don’t have to pay any commission.

Draw

If the player and the bank have the same number of points, the result is a draw. The draw odds are 9.51%. If you are betting on a tie and this bet occurs, the payout is 8:1.

Whether you’re playing baccarat online or in a brick-and-mortar casino, it all boils down to player hands and bank hands being pretty safe bets. Betting on a tie is more risky.

The best baccarat game strategy

Actually, there is no best strategy. There are only our tips and tricks and useful tools on how best to get around the game of baccarat. We find this advice extremely beneficial as it will help you maximize your chances of winning.

• Stick to the rules – First you need to memorize the rules of the game. The decisions during the game have to be made relatively quickly. It is therefore important that you remember the rules of the game and at the same time stick to them.
• Familiarize yourself with different Baccarat variants – Video baccarat in an online casino helps you try baccarat without time pressure. There are also free demos that give you the opportunity to practice and test the strategies before playing for real money.
• Check payouts and determine budget – Always have the withdrawal options on screen and always keep in mind that your money comes first. That’s why it’s especially important before the game to set your budget and stick to it.

Baccarat at its core

Baccarat is a game with a rich history. The game is easy to master, i.e. can be learned relatively quickly. Its widespread game variants offer thrills for everyone. Whether Punto Banco or Mini Baccarat – every type of player will find something here.

With the help of our guidelines, tips and tricks, we draw your attention to knowing the rules and also what kind of bet you could be making while playing. Get ready to play this exciting game with its variants and soon become the number one baccarat! We are very enthusiastic about you and keep our fingers crossed for you!