The Goal Of Baccarat (In One Sentence)
Bet on whether Player or Banker will end closer to nine, or bet that they tie.
That’s the core of baccarat. Everything else is just how the cards get scored and when a third card is drawn.
The Three Main Baccarat Bets
Before any cards are dealt, you choose one of these bets:
- Banker: wins if the Banker hand is closer to nine
- Player: wins if the Player hand is closer to nine
- Tie: wins if both hands end with the same total
Most tables also offer side bets (pairs, Dragon 7, Panda 8, and more), but the main game is built around those three.
If you want the full big-picture guide first, start here: The Complete Guide To Baccarat.
Quick Note On “You” In Baccarat
You are not “playing the Player hand.” The name is confusing at first.
Think of it like this:
- Player and Banker are just labels
- You are an observer betting on the outcome
That’s why baccarat feels relaxed. You do not control the hand.
Baccarat Hand Values (Easy Scoring Rules)
Baccarat uses a special scoring system that always ends in a single digit from 0 to 9.
Card Values
- A = 1
- 2 to 9 = face value
- 10, J, Q, K = 0
So a King is worth zero, and a ten is worth zero too.
How Totals Work
Add the cards together. If the total is 10 or more, drop the first digit.
Examples:
- 8 + 4 = 12 → total is 2
- 9 + 7 = 16 → total is 6
- 10 + 6 = 6 → total is 6
- Q + 9 = 9 → total is 9
This “drop the tens digit” rule is what makes baccarat totals move fast.
What Is A Natural In Baccarat?
A natural is when the first two cards total 8 or 9.
- If Player has 8 or 9, it’s a natural
- If Banker has 8 or 9, it’s a natural
- If either hand has a natural, the round usually ends right away
Naturals are important because they stop the drawing rules from continuing.
Natural Examples
- Player: 9 (natural) vs Banker: 6 → Player wins
- Player: 8 (natural) vs Banker: 9 (natural) → Banker wins
- Player: 8 (natural) vs Banker: 8 (natural) → Tie
Step-By-Step: How A Baccarat Hand Is Dealt
Baccarat is fast because the dealer runs the whole process. Here is how a typical round works.
Step 1: Place Your Bet
You choose:
- Banker
- Player
- Tie
You place your chips before the deal starts.
Step 2: Player And Banker Each Get Two Cards
The dealer gives:
- Two cards to Player
- Two cards to Banker
The order depends on the casino, but it’s always two and two.
Step 3: Totals Are Checked
The dealer totals both hands using baccarat scoring.
If either hand has a natural (8 or 9), the round ends and payouts happen.
If not, the hand may continue to the next step.
Step 4: The Third-Card Rule Decides If A Third Card Is Drawn
This is the part people talk about, but you do not make the decision.
The dealer follows fixed rules that say:
- when Player draws a third card
- when Banker draws a third card
Step 5: The Winner Is Paid
After the final totals are set, the closest hand to nine wins. If totals match, it’s a Tie.
The Third-Card Rule (Basics You Actually Need)
You do not need to memorise the full chart to understand baccarat. But you should know what it’s doing.
Player Draw Rule (Simple)
Player is easy:
- 0 to 5: Player draws a third card
- 6 to 7: Player stands
- 8 to 9: natural, round ends
That’s the simple version most players remember.
Banker Draw Rule (Why It Has A Chart)
Banker’s rule depends on:
- Banker’s total, and sometimes
- what Player’s third card was
That’s why casinos show a chart at some tables.
But again, you do not choose anything. You just watch the dealer apply the rule.
If you want the full explanation in plain English, the third-card rule breaks it down step-by-step.
How Baccarat Bets Pay (And What To Expect)
Payouts can vary, but most standard baccarat tables follow these.
Banker Bet Payout
- Usually pays 1:1
- Most casinos take a 5% commission on Banker wins
So if you win $100 on Banker, you might receive $95 profit plus your $100 stake back, depending on how the table handles commission.
Player Bet Payout
- Usually pays 1:1
- No commission
If you win $100 on Player, you usually get $100 profit plus your stake back.
Tie Bet Payout
Tie bets look exciting but come with a catch.
- Often pays 8:1 or 9:1
- Hits less often than people expect
Because ties are rarer, Tie is usually the most expensive bet over time.
What Happens If You Bet Banker Or Player And It’s A Tie?
On most baccarat tables:
- Banker and Player bets push on a Tie
- That means you get your original bet back
Your bet is not a loss in that case, it’s just a reset.
Always confirm this at the table, but it’s the common rule.
Mini Baccarat Vs Standard Baccarat: Does Gameplay Change?
The rules are basically the same, but the feel is different.
Mini Baccarat
- Smaller table
- Lower limits
- Faster pace
- Dealer handles cards
This is the most common format for regular casino floors and online live dealer games.
Standard Baccarat (High-Limit Style)
- Bigger table
- Higher limits
- More formal vibe
- Players may be allowed to touch cards in some casinos
Even if players handle cards, the rules and scoring do not change.
Online Baccarat: RNG Vs Live Dealer
Online baccarat comes in two main styles.
RNG Baccarat
- Computer-generated shuffle and deal
- Very fast
- Great for learning the flow and scoring
Live Dealer Baccarat
- Real dealer, real cards, streamed video
- Slower than RNG, but more “casino-like”
- Often includes scoreboards and side bets
If you like the ritual of watching hands flip, live dealer baccarat is a great pick.
Common Beginner Mistakes In Baccarat
Baccarat is simple, but beginners still fall into a few traps.
Treating The Scoreboard Like A Prediction Tool
Scoreboards show past results. They do not predict future hands. Baccarat does not have memory.
Overusing The Tie Bet
Tie payouts look big, but ties do not hit often. If Tie becomes your “main bet,” swings can get brutal fast.
Changing Bets Too Often
Jumping from Banker to Player to Tie based on a gut feeling usually leads to messy sessions. Most smart baccarat play is boring on purpose.
Playing Too Fast
Baccarat’s speed is the danger. If you do not set a plan, you can burn through a bankroll before you even notice.
Simple Ways To Play Baccarat Smarter
Here are a few clean habits that help a lot.
- Start with flat betting: same wager each hand
- Use a stop-loss: a clear point where you walk away
- Avoid chasing streaks: streaks do not mean the next hand is due
- Pick a table with limits that fit your budget: so you are not forced to bet bigger than you want
If you want the full strategy and odds breakdown, the pillar guide is the best next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Goal Of Baccarat?
You are betting on which hand, Player or Banker, finishes closer to nine. You can also bet on a Tie.
How Do Baccarat Hand Values Work?
Aces are one, tens and face cards are zero, and you only use the last digit of the total. So 7 + 6 = 13 becomes three.
What Is A Natural In Baccarat?
A natural is an eight or nine on the first two cards. If a natural happens, the hand usually ends right away.
Do I Get To Decide When To Draw A Third Card?
No. The dealer follows fixed rules (the third-card rule). You do not make decisions during the hand.
Where To Go Next
You’ve now learned how baccarat works from start to finish, from hand values and naturals to how a round flows and gets paid out.
If you want to lock this in, the best next move is to focus on the dealing procedure, because that’s where most beginners get confused (the order of cards, the pace, and when the third-card rule kicks in).
Continue with Understanding the Dealing Procedure in Baccarat.
