Real Money Baccarat Guide

Getting Started with Baccarat

Most games of baccarat are played with eight decks. Numbering is slightly different than it is in poker. The ace is worth 1 point always. The numbered cards (2-9) are worth the number on the card. The 10-card and face cards are worth 0, which might require an adjustment for new players.

The combined card value is 0 through 9, with 9 being the best hand in baccarat. If the count reaches 10, then it starts over at 0 again. Simply drop the first digit when counting baccarat hands. Thus, if you receive a 7 and a 6 on a baccarat deal, it is counted as 3.

Baccarat Hands

A hand of baccarat begins with each player at the table betting on one of three options: Banker, Player, or Tie. The banker bet means you are betting on the dealer hand, which has slightly higher odds. The player bet is betting on the hand opposite the dealer. The tie bet is treated as a side bet in baccarat and, like most side bets, has a much higher house edge.

Once bets are made, two cards each are dealt to the banker and the player. A third card might be dealt to either the banker or the player (or both), depending on a rigid set of rules. Thus, baccarat players are not faced with strategy decisions - a fact many newcomers will prefer.

Third Card Rules in Baccarat

If either the banker or the player has a hand which equals 8 or 9, then they have what is called a "natural". If either hand has a natural, then both hands stand. Whoever has the highest hand wins. For instance, if you hold an 8 and your opponent holds a 6, then both hands stand and you win the hand. But if you hold an 8 and the opponent holds a 9, then your opponent would win.

If the player holds a 5 or less, then the player draws a third card. If the player hand sits at 6 or 7, then the player stands at that number. The banker's next move is dependent on the player's hand.

If the player stands with a 6 or 7, then the banker draws if they hold a 5 or less. If the banker's hand totals 6 or 7 points, then the banker stands. If the player draws a third card, then the banker decides whether to draw a third card or not based upon a chart.

Banker Hand: Third Card Chart

• • Banker Hand is 7: The banker stands in all cases.
• • Banker Hand is 6: The banker draws if the player holds a 6 or 7, but stands in all other cases.
• • Banker Hand is 5: The banker draws if the player holds a 4, 5, 6, or 7, but stands otherwise.
• • Banker Hand is 4: The banker draws if the player holds a 2 through 7, but stands on 0-1 and 8-9.
• • Banker Hand is 3: The banker stands if the player holds an 8, but draws in all other cases.
• • Banker Hand is 0-2: The banker draws a card in all cases.

After a third card is dealt, hands are compared. The winner is the hand with the greater total. If a tie occurs, then the tie bet wins. In that case, both the player bet and the banker bet lose.

Baccarat Odds and Payouts

The odds paid on baccarat are similar to what you'll find in craps or blackjack. The best betting propositions pay 1:1, so you'll receive even odds. Many players prefer a chance at bigger payouts, which is why you'll see them playing other games. Like craps, baccarat has a bet with a higher payout - the tie bet - which pays 9:1. Make this wager if you choose, but keep in mind the house edge on the tie bet is much higher (above 9%) than the banker bet or player bet.

• • Banker Wins: 1:1 Payout
• • Player Wins: 1:1 Payout
• • Tie Bet Wins: 9:1 Payout

By looking at the probability of certain bets winning, you'll see how the game designers arrive at payouts in baccarat. As you'll see, every hand has a winner and a loser. In the table below, the remaining 0.02% is accounted for by the rounding down process, so all bets have a resolution in a hand of baccarat.

Baccarat Win Frequency

The following table shows the frequency of wins for the various bets. The banker wins slightly over 1% of the time more than the player, which is why it's a better wagering proposition to bet on the banker side. Also, ties happen roughly 9.5% of the time, which explains why the tie bet has a 9:1 payout.

• • Banker Wins: 45.85%
• • Player Wins: 44.62%
• • Tie Bet Wins: 9.51%

Play Baccarat like a Pro

Baccarat strategy is based mainly on picking the right bets. The banker bet has the lowest house edge, so it is the best wagering possibility at any time. Betting on the player hand is a slightly worse proposition - with a 0.18% higher house edge, you'll expect to lose 18¢ more on every $100 wagered. On the tie you can expect to lose over $9 for every $100 wagered.

In Macau, baccarat players stand back from the table and study a few hands before they decide which side to back. They want to get a sense of the flow ("chi") of the game before deciding their strategy. Many players in the west make a more mathematical decision. The math of baccarat dictates a banker bet.

When you first start playing real money online baccarat, you might assume that the strategy on drawing a third card is complicated. It isn't, because rigid rules decide what occurs. Slots.lv's baccarat software makes the decision for you, so you won't have to concern yourself with basic strategy charts.

Baccarat House Edge

In land-based casinos, several versions of baccarat exist. Punto Banco baccarat is the game played in Las Vegas. It is also the game Slots.lv offers. Punto Banco requires no strategy to get the best odds, which is why it's so popular. The French version of baccarat is called "chemin de fers" and it is what's depicted in the James Bond films. Chemin de Fers has elements of skill, but it's beyond the scope of our discussion here.

These days, Las Vegas has a game called Mini-Baccarat for the mass market players. Mini-baccarat has the same odds as traditional baccarat, but the dealer deals the cards, which speeds up the game significantly. Online baccarat with us is comparable to mini-baccarat because the casino software deals the cards. Players should remember that our online baccarat plays faster than traditional punto banco, and as such should remember to pace themselves. The great thing about online baccarat is you can play at your own pace, so avoid rushing and savor the game.

• • Banker Bet: 1.06% House Edge
• • Player Bet: 1.24% House Edge
• • Tie Bet: 14.44% House Edge