How to play baccarat
If you can add to nine and remember that tens and face cards count as zero, you can understand the core game. The intimidating part—the draw procedure—is handled by fixed rules.
Choose Player, Banker or Tie. Two hands receive cards. Aces count 1, 2–9 count face value, and 10/J/Q/K count 0. Only the final digit of a total counts, so 14 becomes 4. The hand closest to 9 wins.
1. Know the card values
| Card | Baccarat value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 |
| 2–9 | Face value |
| 10, Jack, Queen, King | 0 |
There is no bust. If a hand totals more than 9, drop the tens digit. A 6 and a 7 total 13, which is a baccarat total of 3.
2. Understand the three main wagers
Player wins if the Player hand finishes closer to 9. Banker wins if the Banker hand does. Tie wins if both finish with the same total. A tie normally pushes Player and Banker wagers.
The names are historical labels. They do not describe who controls a hand.
3. Watch for a natural
If the first two cards produce an 8 or 9, that is a natural. In standard play, the round ends without a third card. If both sides have naturals, the higher total wins; equal totals tie.
4. Let the table rules handle the draw
If there is no natural, the Player hand may draw according to its two-card total. The Banker rule is more detailed because it can depend on both the Banker total and, if Player drew, the value of Player’s third card.
5. Settle the wager
Player commonly pays even money. Banker also commonly pays even money minus a commission—often 5%—because Banker wins slightly more often under the fixed drawing rules. Tie payouts vary and should be evaluated by their exact paytable.
A complete example
Player: 7 + 8 = 15 → total 5.
Banker: 4 + 2 = 6.
Player’s two-card total of 5 means Player draws. Suppose the third card is 4, making Player 9. Banker’s action is then determined by the Banker table. The procedure—not intuition—decides whether Banker receives a third card.
Common beginner mistakes
- Adding baccarat totals like blackjack totals.
- Thinking the Player hand belongs to the person betting Player.
- Assuming a streak changes the probability of the next independent deal.
- Choosing Tie because the payout looks large without examining its house edge.
- Increasing stakes to “win back” a loss.