How to Play Baccarat

Baccarat is known worldwide. Nevertheless, some players consider this classic game complicated. However, the rules of the game are very simple.

Here you will get a clear introduction to the Baccarat rules. Learn everything about payout rates and side bets. In the end, you will be well prepared for your first game. In this Baccarat guide, you will learn the most important basics to get you started right away.

This includes the standard odds, the most common side bets, and the variations. In addition, I will familiarize you with the basic concepts of Baccarat rules.

Baccarat Rules – How to play?

There are many reservations about Baccarat. It is considered James Bond’s favorite game in Monaco luxury hotels. This gives the classic game of chance an air of aloofness. But in truth, it is one of the simplest casino games. This is because the game principle requires only a few decisions from the player. Therefore, you can also quickly learn to master the Baccarat game rules.

In total, you can place three main bets. You either bet on the player’s hand to win, the dealer to win, or on a draw. The goal in Baccarat is to guess the winner. The best hand is the one with the highest score – in this case, nine.

Payouts

There are some strategic aspects that you should master before entering the online game.

In the following sections of our Baccarat game guide, we will discuss all the other principles that characterize the game. These include the payout odds and the case of a tie. Since there are only three possible game outcomes, the payout tables are easy to understand.

These provide information about the amount of money you will receive for each successful bet. As a rule, a bet on the player’s hand pays 1:1, and a draw pays 8:1, whereas if you bet on the banker, the odds are 1:1 with an additional 5% fee as a house advantage.

At the end of the game round, if the player and the banker have the same score, there is a tie. You will be paid the corresponding winnings if you bet on the draw. The odds for a draw are higher than for other game outcomes. It is often 8:1 – however, this may differ depending on the game variant.

Cards

But here is a special feature. You can make side bets without placing a main bet. This distinguishes the game from Blackjack, for example. In the next sections, you will learn about the most popular and well-known betting options. The side bet on the player’s pair is won when the player is dealt two identical cards.

The suit does not matter. Only the value must match both playing cards. This bet pays 11:1 and often has an RTP of 88.46%. Therefore, it is statistically one of the less lucrative bets.\n\nBank pair. This betting option is identical to the side bet on the player pair.

There is also no difference in the payout ratio and win rate. This is because the probability of getting a pair is the same on both sides. The differences in dealing with the third card are irrelevant for this side bet. In this betting option, you bet that either the banker or a player will be dealt a pair into their hand.

The probability of this happening is slightly higher than when betting on a pair on a fixed side. Therefore, the winning odds are slightly lower at 5:1. Nevertheless, the payout ratio is higher than in the previously mentioned options.

This side bet is won if two of the four cards on the player’s and dealer’s sides form a perfect pair. This means a match in card value and suit: two Queens of Hearts or two Fours of Diamonds. The odds are 25:1, but the RTP is relatively low at 82.93%. In addition to the bets on the pairs, you will often find the side bet called Big in Baccarat.

This is a bet that the total number of cards dealt during the game will reach five or six. As soon as a third card is dealt, the bet is won. The high probability is also expressed in the odds of 0.54:1.

Side Bet

But here is a special feature. You can make side bets without placing a main bet. This distinguishes the game from Blackjack, for example. In the next sections, you will learn about the most popular and well-known betting options. The side bet on the player’s pair is won when the player is dealt two identical cards.

The suit does not matter. Only the value must match both playing cards. This bet pays 11:1 and often has an RTP of 88.46%. Therefore, it is statistically one of the less lucrative bets.\n\nBank pair. This betting option is identical to the side bet on the player pair.

There is also no difference in the payout ratio and win rate. This is because the probability of getting a pair is the same on both sides. The differences in dealing with the third card are irrelevant for this side bet. In this betting option, you bet that either the banker or a player will be dealt a pair into their hand.

The probability of this happening is slightly higher than when betting on a pair on a fixed side. Therefore, the winning odds are slightly lower at 5:1. Nevertheless, the payout ratio is higher than in the previously mentioned options.

This side bet is won if two of the four cards on the player’s and dealer’s sides form a perfect pair. This means a match in card value and suit: two Queens of Hearts or two Fours of Diamonds. The odds are 25:1, but the RTP is relatively low at 82.93%. In addition to the bets on the pairs, you will often find the side bet called Big in Baccarat.

This is a bet that the total number of cards dealt during the game will reach five or six. As soon as a third card is dealt, the bet is won. The high probability is also expressed in the odds of 0.54:1.

The probability of this happening is slightly higher than when betting on a pair on a fixed side. Therefore, the winning odds are slightly lower at 5:1. Nevertheless, the payout ratio is higher than in the previously mentioned options.

This side bet is won if two of the four cards on the player’s and dealer’s sides form a perfect pair. This means a match in card value and suit: two Queens of Hearts or two Fours of Diamonds. The odds are 25:1, but the RTP is relatively low at 82.93%. In addition to the bets on the pairs, you will often find the side bet called Big in Baccarat.

This is a bet that the total number of cards dealt during the game will reach five or six. As soon as a third card is dealt, the bet is won. The high probability is also expressed in the odds of 0.54:1.

Small Bet

The Small bet is won as soon as neither the player nor the banker is dealt a third card. This case is less probable than receiving a third card on one of the sides but more probable than the pair bets. The odds are 1.5:1, and the RTP value is 94.73%.

Baccarat Variants

We have introduced you to the basic principles of this game. Now you are faced with the choice of the most suitable game. Especially in legal Baccarat online casinos, you can choose between different variants.

Choose the one that best suits your preferences. Below you will find some of the most popular Baccarat variations. Baccarat Banque is almost identical to Chemin de Fer – with one major exception: the role of the dealer is not assumed by the player.

A professional croupier performs this function. This is why this version is more common in casinos than in Chemin de Fer. Nevertheless, this variant is also rather rare outside of France.

Each test gives you an overview of the rules of the respective baccarat variant. There you will also always find a free demo version. With this, you can try out the game and find out if it suits your taste. You can play the variants in an online casino for real money.

These are the criteria you should consider when choosing a Baccarat game. One thing should always be in the foreground when choosing the right variant. Choose according to your interests. And ask yourself what you enjoy the most. In addition, other factors play a role in the choice of game.

Payout Rate of the Game

The payout ratio, often also called RTP (=Return to Player), gives you an overview of a game’s theoretical payout. In Baccarat, like online roulette and Blackjack, the RTP is almost always well above 90%. However, you should always check the RTP value in the game description. This way, you can avoid less rewarding variants.

Does the Baccarat Variant Offer Side Bets?

Although it is not always the case, you will find side bets in many Baccarat versions. Choose a variant that includes your best side bet if you want to use them. However, it would help if you kept in mind that every side bet increases the house’s advantage.

Strategies You Can Use

After all, there are no useful strategies. Betting strategies can give you important advantages. That way, you’ll have this info handy while you’re playing. These tools contain the same information on variations and side bets as on this page. In addition, you will find a handy Baccarat scorecard. You can also find all the important terms in our Baccarat Glossary.

A Brief History of Baccarat

Its history goes back several centuries and falls under the heading of older games of chance. The Baccarat game rules have their origins in the Italian Middle Ages. The name comes from the Italian word for zero, as the face cards and tens counted for zero points. Subsequently, the card game spread to France.

It became popular under Chemin de Fer (French). The name did justice to the game variant: it was played more quickly than the Italian version. Since then, Baccarat has spread worldwide to most online casinos.

Baccarat is popular with players in many countries. On the one hand, this is due to its long tradition. But the connection to one of the most popular characters in film history – James Bond – has contributed much to its popularity.

News About Baccarat

You can find an overview of the news about Baccarat below.
Our editorial staff regularly publishes new articles. Thereby our info box will be updated as well. Please check back later. We will keep you up to date on all developments.