Baccarat is famous worldwide as the game of choice for James Bond and high-rolling Asian billionaires.
In fact, Baccarat is arguably the easiest table game in the entire casino, functioning almost exactly like a simple coin flip.
Understanding How Baccarat is Played
The objective is to bet on the hand that you believe will have a total point value closest to the number 9.
If a hand's total exceeds 9, the first digit is dropped; for example, a 7 and an 8 equals 15, which drops the 1 to become a 5.
- The dealer distributes two cards to the Player hand and two cards to the Banker hand
- Depending on the exact totals, a complex set of casino rules determines if a third card is drawn for either side
- You do not need to memorize the third-card drawing rules; the dealer executes them automatically
Mini-Baccarat and Other Popular Variations
While the core math remains the same, casinos offer several variations to speed up the game or cater to different budgets.
Another popular variation is 'EZ Baccarat,' which completely eliminates the annoying 5% commission on the Banker bet.
| Game Term | Definition | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Natural | Dealt an 8 or 9 on the first two cards | Hand ends immediately, winner declared |
| Chemin de Fer | A French version where players bet against each other | Extremely rare outside of Europe |
Simply sit down, consistently bet the Banker, and let the dealer handle the complex drawing rules.