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How to Play Baccarat – Master Baccarat Rules in Minutes
Baccarat is a fairly easy game to play, and it’s available at all major online casinos. If you’ve ever wondered how to play baccarat, this page will provide you with all the information you need, from the basic rules to tips and tricks that pro baccarat players use.
Though it may look confusing at first, baccarat is one of the most simple table games you can play. Once you read through this overview, you will have a strong understanding of baccarat’s basic rules. With this guide, you’ll not only know how to play baccarat; you’ll be able to play with confidence.
Objective of Baccarat
In baccarat, you (the player) and the dealer (the banker) have the same objective. Your goal (and the dealer’s) is to have a hand that totals as close to 9 as possible.
You are not limited to betting on yourself to win. You can bet on yourself, the banker, or a tie. When you’re first learning how to play baccarat, remember that you are betting on a winner, not your own hand. If your hand doesn’t beat the banker’s you can still win as long as you’ve placed the right bet!
Card Values in Baccarat
The first step to understanding baccarat is familiarizing yourself with the points system. Each card has a specific value. You add the values together to determine how many points your hand (or the banker’s) is worth.
Here are the point values for each type of card in baccarat:
Ace = 1
2-9 = Face Value
10 = 0
Jack, Queen, King (any face card) = 0
How to Add Up Points
In baccarat, you add up the values for each card in your hand to determine your total. Each player (including the banker) is given two cards to begin the hand. If your cards add up to a double-digit total, you only use the second digit to determine the score. For example:
If you are dealt a 2 and a 5, your total is 7.
+ = 7
If you are dealt an 8 and a 5, your total is 3 because you only use the second digit from 13.
+ = 13 = 3
How to Play Baccarat: Rules and Steps
Now that you’re familiar with the objective and scoring, you can learn how to play baccarat. Below are the basic rules of baccarat. Once you are familiar with them, you’ll be ready for some of the more complex rules included later in this guide.
Game Layout
Baccarat’s game layout reflects the simplicity of the game itself. Player positions are numbered. In a land-based casino, there are usually 12-14 positions. Online, you’ll typically see 5 positions. Sometimes the number 4 is omitted due to superstition, so the player positions read 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6.
Each player spot has a few betting areas. One labeled “Player,” one labeled “Banker” (or (“Dealer”), and one labelled “Tie.” These represent the different bets you can make in baccarat. Some baccarat tables offer a “Player pair” or “Banker pair” bet, which is represented by a small circle labelled accordingly.
Choosing and Placing Bets
Before the hand is dealt, place a bet. You can bet on the Player (your hand), the Banker (the dealer’s hand), or a tie. If your table has the “Player pair” or “Banker pair” side bets, you can also bet on one of them.
When you place a bet, you’re wagering on the winner of that particular hand. After bets are placed, the hand begins. It’s helpful to review our baccarat strategy guide to get familiar with betting strategies.
How the Round is Played
The primary step in teaching yourself how to play baccarat is understanding how a round is played. In a round (or “hand”) of baccarat, the player and the banker each receive two cards and adds them together for a total point value. Remember, if the total is two digits, you use only the second one.
If your hand totals 8 or 9, this is called a “natural win” and bets are cashed out. The same is true if the banker’s hand totals 8 or 9.
When there’s no natural win, the hand continues with the player and/or banker drawing an additional card, depending on the totals. We explain this in more detail below.
How to Know You’ve Won
A baccarat hand ends with either a win or a tie. A natural win occurs when one side has a total of 8 or 9 and the other does not. If there is no natural win, the hand closest to 9 is the winner. A tie occurs when the player and the banker end the hand with the same total.
Remember, you bet on who will win the hand. If you bet on the banker and he wins the hand, you cash out on your bet.
Player Hand and Banker Hand Rules
When you’re first learning how to play baccarat, this can be one of the more complex ideas to understand. The point value of the first two cards in your hand determine whether you stand (meaning you do not receive a third card). You cannot choose whether you stand or draw a card. This is always determined by the rules of the game.
✅ When the Player Stands
— The player always “plays” first. In other words, you will always stand or draw before the dealer takes his turn.
— If your first 2 cards total 6 or 7, you stand. With a total of 8 or 9, you do not draw because this is a natural win. However, if you have a 6, 7, 8, or 9, the dealer moves on to his hand.
✅ When the Dealer Stands
— The dealer stands on a 7, 8, or 9.
When Is a Third Card Drawn?
During your first few games playing baccarat, you’ll see that sometimes there is no immediate winner and third card must be drawn. There are very specific scenarios that dictate when a third card is needed and who must draw it. Here’s a breakdown:
✅ When the Player Draws a Third Card
— If the dealer doesn’t hit a natural win and your 2-card hand totals 0-5, you will receive a third card.
— A player hand totaling 6 or 7 means the dealer must then draw a third card, and that’s where things get a bit more complex.
✅ When the Dealer Draws a Third Card
The player always goes first. This means that unless you draw a natural win, you’ll either stand or draw a third card before the dealer takes his turn:
— If the player doesn’t draw a third card, the banker stays on a 6 or 7.
— If the player doesn’t draw a third card, the banker draws on a total of 0-5.
If you draw a third card, the banker acts according to the chart below:
| Player’s Third Card | Banker Action |
|---|---|
| 9, 10, J, Q, K, A | Draws on a 0-3, stands on a 4-7 |
| 8 | Draws on a 0-2, stands on a 3-7 |
| 6, 7 | Draws on a 0-6, stands on a 7 |
| 4, 5 | Draws on a 0-5, stands on a 6-7 |
| 2, 3 | Draws on a 0-4, stands on a 5-7 |
The dealer will know when to deal out third cards, so you don’t necessarily need to memorize this. However, it’s helpful to have this handy when you first learn how to play baccarat.
Once all cards have been dealt, add up the point values. The closest to 9 points wins the hand and bets are paid accordingly.
Baccarat Etiquette
As you get up to speed with how to play baccarat, you’ll encounter a few versions of the game. Players are generally friendly, especially on mini-baccarat tables (which we cover below). But it’s helpful to keep a few things in mind to keep baccarat fun for everyone involved.
In mini-baccarat, which is recommended for beginners, do not touch your cards. The dealer will handle them and dole out third cards when necessary. The hands will all be played face up, so you won’t need to worry about when to draw or stand.
Big baccarat is slightly different and there’s more etiquette to consider. Typically, you’ll want to wait until a game ends before taking a seat, and it is common courtesy to acknowledge the other players at the table. Mini-baccarat is friendly to new players, so we recommend playing at those tables before moving up to Big baccarat.
When you’re playing at a casino, having learned how to play baccarat and win, remember that the house takes a 5% commission when you win a bet on the banker. Always pay this out before you leave the table. If you want to learn more about how commission works in baccarat and how it affects your payouts, familiarize yourself with the odds of baccarat before you play as well.
Most casinos have score sheets available. Use them to keep the game going and make a smoother baccarat experience for everyone.
How to Play Mini-Baccarat and Midi-Baccarat
At casinos, you will often find a typical large baccarat table with space for 12-14 players. You may also encounter a smaller table with 5-6 spots for mini-baccarat or a midi-baccarat table for up to 9 people.
That’s not the only difference between the variations. Mini-baccarat usually is a lower-stakes version of the game, making it the ideal choice if you’re in the early stages of learning how to play baccarat. Midi-baccarat will usually be found on high-limit tables.
What also sets midi-baccarat apart is that in this version of the game, players are allowed to handle the cards themselves, something which is a no-go on other baccarat variants.
Ultimately, both mini-baccarat and midi-baccarat tend to be easier for new players to big up and can be used as stepping stones to standard baccarat. The rules are basically the same apart from these minor differences.
Final Rules to Remember for Baccarat
As you can see, it’s quite easy to learn how to play baccarat. The rules and gameplay are easy to grasp, and baccarat can only be as complex as you want it to be. Still, keep the following rules in mind:
In baccarat, you bet on who will win instead of betting on your own hand.
Suits don’t matter. Only the cards’ point values matter.
9 is the magic number! The hand closest to 9 wins.
If your first two cards total 8 or 9, that’s a natural win.
The player always goes first, then the banker.
Third cards are drawn automatically. You don’t choose when to draw.
Practice Baccarat by Playing for Free Online
Of course, the best way to learn how to play baccarat is to actually try it! Now that you’re familiar with the rules and gameplay, you can cement your baccarat knowledge by playing the game risk-free on VegasSlotsOnline.
Join Our Top Baccarat Casinos and Play for Real Money
When you’re ready to put your newfound baccarat knowledge to the test, you can head to one of our top online casinos. These are the best sites that offer real money baccarat, especially now that you know how to play. Our recommended sites offer a range of baccarat games (some will have helpful in-game tips to help you learn how to play mini-baccarat), including live dealer casino baccarat.
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How to Play Baccarat FAQ
Is it easy to learn how to play baccarat?
Yes. Learning how to play baccarat is quick and simple. We have a comprehensive guide to baccarat rules to get you started. The game is easy to learn and most players can pick up the basics within a few hands. Plus, we have more resources to get you up to speed with deeper Baccarat betting strategy.
Does it take skill to play baccarat?
Baccarat is a game of chance, so everyone has a fair shot to win. There are some betting tricks to keep in mind, though, so we have compiled a number of helpful tips in our full baccarat strategy guide.
If I learn how to play baccarat, will I win for sure?
Baccarat is a casino game complete with its own odds. As a game of chance, baccarat doesn’t guarantee wins. We have collected information about the game’s odds to help you determine your chances of winning on specific baccarat bets. If you’re strategic in your betting approach, you can maximize your chances of winning.
Is baccarat easier to learn than other table games?
Yes. Baccarat is very easy to learn how to play. The rules are simple. In mini-baccarat (easiest for beginners), the dealer handles everything, and you can follow along without even touching your cards. Compared to other table games, it’s one of the easiest to learn.
Where can I play baccarat online?
You can play at our recommended online casinos. There are plenty of sites that offer baccarat, making it one of the most accessible table games on offer. On our top online casino sites, you put your baccarat gameplay to the test and get more familiar with this longtime favorite table game.