How to Play Baccarat: A Beginner’s Guide
Despite its glamorous reputation, baccarat is actually one of the simplest games in the casino.
Your only real decision is deciding which side to bet on before the cards are dealt.
How Baccarat Scoring Works
The objective of the game is to bet on the hand that will score closest to nine.
Cards two through nine are worth their face value, while tens and face cards are worth zero.
- No player decisions are required during the hand
- Aces are always worth exactly one point
- A natural 8 or 9 ends the round immediately
The Banker Bet vs. The Player Bet
Mathematically, the Banker bet is the safest wager you can make on the casino floor.
Even with the commission factored in, the Banker bet boasts an incredibly low house edge of 1.06%.
Why You Should Avoid the Tie Bet
The Tie bet offers a tempting payout of 8 to 1, but it comes with a massive catch.
Although the high payout is alluring, the probability of a tie occurring is mathematically very low.
| Option | Casino Advantage | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Player Hand | Low | Good Bet |
| Tie Option | 14.36% | Never Bet |
Enjoy the elegance of the game without worrying about making a costly strategic mistake.
