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How to play Baccarat - Guide to Rules and Winning Tips for Players

Live Baccarat is James Bond's favorite casino game.


Learn to Play Baccarat Online and against Live Dealers

Live Baccarat is James Bond's favorite casino game.

Written by: Kim Birch | The review was last updated: 20 July 2022 | Fact-check by: Jasmin Williams

CERTIFIED EXPERT CERTIFIED EXPERT
Kim Birch has won and lost against the best poker pros worldwide. In addition to being an expert in poker and blackjack, Kim has also published 3 books. About Kim Birch

This beginner winning guide to playing Baccarat aims to arm you to the teeth with expert Baccarat strategy knowledge, so you get a fair chance against the casinos many dirty tricks. Get an advantage when you sit down at the Baccarat tables.

Whether you choose to play at a live casino or online, the dealer will soon fear your qualities in this card game, and you will taste the sweetness of victory and experience the adrenaline rush of leaving the casino with a huge win.

Over time, video material will also be made available to our loyal players in everything from baccarat rules to counting cards and how to deal with the banker hand in different situations and guide to player and the banker bets. Learn how to avoid the banker winning every round Learn about the best baccarat systems and strategies.

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What is Baccarat - Play The Card Game as a Pro

What is Baccarat? It is an exciting game played in casinos that you should play responsibly due to the fast paced gameplay. Most players have minimal knowledge of the card game. Most people only know about the game through the James Bond movies, as Baccarat is his favourite card game. In addition, most of the casinos online focus on blackjack, roulette and slot machines.

Stay here on the page and learn the card rules for this amazing game. Follow the Punto Banco guide, and I promise you can become an "advantage player" who has a fair chance against the croupier in the casino. Learn how to reduce the banker wins in msot variants of this classic card game.

What is an advantage player? A simple way to explain it is to use your knowledge and technical details about the card game to defeat the casino without using illegal methods. Strategies such as card counting, edge sorting and advanced game theory can be mentioned here. These concepts are not illegal, but I can guarantee you that the dealer at the table does not like these strategies.

Some of these winning strategies and betting systems can also be utilized by players for profits by sitting at a live Baccarat table online and while taking advantage of the different bonuses. There are a few casinos with super good promotions that players worldwide can use to get an short term advantage.

Here at BETO.com, we go to great lengths to find great casino bonuses for our players and the best promotions that can give you an advantage when you bet your money online. Let's get started with the game itself and win some big stacks of casino chips.

But first, let's look at what it takes to be good at the game. Like some of the other popular games of chance, one must learn the card rules without the need for tools to aid you in playing. This is also true even if you would rather play online Baccarat. When the rules are on your backbone, it's much easier to make the right decisions in the heat of battle against both the banker and the casino house edge.
 

Standard Las Vegas Baccarat Layout used worldwide.

Standard Las Vegas Baccarat Layout used worldwide.

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Online Rules and Beginner Baccarat Strategy

This section of the guide is about baccarat casino rules and how to improve your chances of winning more, and what it takes to find an advantage in this card game if you want to play at a high skill level.

In addition to learning all the basics, it also gives you a unique insight into one of the most thrilling casino card games out there. You will gain mathematical knowledge on playing your hands at the casino tables in the most optimal way.

Other baccarat tables are also known as Punto Banco and are among the most straightforward card games you can bet money on in online and live casinos. You do not have to learn super complicated strategies until you are ready to dominate at the tables in your local landbased casino.

Once you are armed with the knowledge that is available for free on this site, you will quickly be ready to play for real money and develop as a professional cardplayer.

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Game Rules at the Baccarat Table

The name of this classic card-game is inspired by the Italian word "baccara", and the very meaning of the word is zero (0), which is also the value of all picture cards and 10s in a deck of cards. These basic rules and very important to udnersntand when you want to learn how to play Baccarat.

In this card game, it is customary to play with 6 or 8 decks of cards. These are all placed in a shoe/shoes.

A Baccarat hand consists of two playing cards. Further cards can be dealt but only according to specific rules. The croupier in this game is also known as bank or banker. The game begins when the croupier has cards dealt for minimum two hands:

  • The banker's hand.
  • Player hand (first two cards)

Although it may sound confusing to mention now, you are not only limited to betting money on the player (your cards), and you do not always win player's hand wins.

After the cards are dealt by the croupier at the table, it is now time to determine the points and the value of each hand based on the following casino rules for online and live Baccarat. Same card value rules are used for all players at the table.

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Value of hands for both the player and bank hand

As mentioned before, all 10s and picture cards count as zero points. The other cards retain their face value/sum. That is, all card with the numbers 1 to 9 (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9) retain their card value.

To not create misunderstandings, let me clarify that the ace is counted as the number 1.

If the dealer or players have two cards and have a total of 10 or more, we must subtract ten (10) from the total value. Here is an example that is easy to understand.

Example: If I get 8 of spades and 7 of diamonds, then the sum is not 15 (8 + 7) but five instead as we calculate 8 + 7 = 15 but minus the 10.

This card example is a simplified explanation. As you will discover, things are a little more complicated; however, not too much.

If you think online baccarat sounds exciting, then there is a link to playing live baccarat on the internet, and there is a video that shows you how it works. It is a great way to understand the concept behind this beloved card game.

Click on the live dealer, and you will land on our page that shows you how live baccarat is played on the internet.

Game rules such as third card rules is the same whether you play live or online.

READ THE REVIEW

Game rules such as third card rules is the same whether you play live or online.

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Natural winners in live and online Baccarat

The baccarat phrase and game rule called "Natural Winners" is used in all casinos and is a particular and essential rule that you need to keep in mind every time you make real money player and banker bets.

If the total sum of the first two cards is equal to 8 or 9, you have hit a natural winner, and the same goes for the banker. When this happens in your games, no more cards are dealt on the table, and the bets placed at the start of the round can be paid out.

Winning bets and a natural win is paid out instantly.

Winning bets and a natural win is paid out instantly.

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Third Card Rules in Baccarat Games

If no one gets a "natural winner" on the first two cards drawn, and this applies to both live and online Baccarat, then there is a chance that you may have to draw a third card in the game. The following third card rules are used as standard in all variants of the game.

When you dont have a natural win the player MUST stand on his or her hands with a total of 6 or 7 but must draw a third card if the sum is zero to five (0-5).

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Guide to Banker Draws and Dealer Card Rules

Here, everything gets a little more complicated, so keep reading if you're trying to figure out how to play Baccarat properly. If you do not have to have a third card, then Bank must remain on two card if he or she has 6 or 7 in total. If the dealer's hand has a value of 0 to 5, the casino must have a third card.

Otherwise, the following rules apply to the game:

  • If the player draws 9, 10, Ace or picture cards as the third card, the Bank must draw an extra card if their value is 0-3 and stay with 4-7 in the score.
  • If players get an eight as their third card, then the banker must draw a card if they have 0-2 in total and remain standing if the hand total is three to seven (3-7).
  • If the player draws a six or seven (6-7) as the third card, then banks must have an extra with a 0-6 score and be left with a value of 7.
  • If you as a player get a four or five (4 and 5) as your third card, then the casino must draw a card if the Bank has 0-5 in total and must stay at 6 and 7.
  • If your third card is a 2 or 3, then the dealer must have an extra if he or she has 0-4 in total and remain standing with the values 5, 6, and 7.

Once all the Punto Banco cards have been dealt, you only need to count baccarat points to see the winner. The one who comes closest to nine (9) points is the winner. If you make your bets in online Baccarat, then it is all a little easier and more manageable as it all happens automatically.

There are three types of bets/bets you can make in all places where you can bet money on Baccarat.

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Baccarat Cheat Sheet

Even though everything happens automatically online when you play baccarat, we at BETO have made an easy-to-understand baccarat chart, so it is easier to remember and understand the baccarat rules.

The Baccarat cheat sheet can also be used if you are interested in baccarat systems and strategies, as this requires your knowledge of the game is flawless.

Baccarat cheat sheet and chart of rules

Baccarat cheat sheet and chart of rules

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The Basic type of bets in Baccarat - Player, Bank and Tie bet

  1. Player: You bet on yourself or other players. Payout is 1 to 1.
  2. Bank/Banker: You bet that the dealer wins. Pays 1 to 1 (-5% commission).
  3. Tie/Draw: Bank and player have the same sum. Usually, the payout is at least 8 to 1.

Sometimes there is NOT a winner in Baccarat, and it is called tie bets or draw if you play in online casinos.

If the player and croupier have the same baccarat total, then the baccarat result is final, and only winnings will be paid out to the gamblers who have bet their money on the TIE bet.

However, you get your bet back, so you do not lose anything if, for example, you have bet 100 on the bank or player, and the result is a TIE.

These three bets are the basic bets that you can make in all versions of Baccarat. From time to time, it happens that the casinos offer you side bets. For example, the casino could offer you bets where you bet that the following result in the baccarat game will be a pair of 2s or similar.

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Best bets in Baccarat

Now that you know how to play, let's focus on which bets you need to bet on to have the best odds of winning.

Whether you are a Highroller or not, the basic baccarat strategy does not change. Too many gamblers never choose to make bets on the Bank, and this is a huge mistake! Although most venues use a 5% commission on this betting option, it is still your best choice in Baccarat when we only look at your odds of winning.

This fact is due to the house advantage in Baccarat

  • The casino advantage of the Banker bet is 1.06 percentage.
  • The house edge on the player bet is 1.24 percentage.
  • If we look at a draw/tie, then this is what we call a sucker bet!

You have so few chances of hitting a draw in Baccarat that only a crazy and more or less drunk card player would choose this option.

Live baccarat and Bonus guide for things you should avoid.

Live baccarat and Bonus guide for things you should avoid.

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Live Casino vs Online Baccarat

Here at BETO.com, we are working on getting some UNIQUE baccarat bonuses for the very best online casinos in place. We are not happy with the standard bonus for our players. We strive to provide some unique baccarat promotions you can take advantage of as it does not make sense to offer a bonus to slot machines or the online roulette table.

Now that you have learned the basics of this fantastic card game, maybe spend some time learning advanced baccarat strategies and concepts such as card counting. The site will be updated regularly with articles and help for baccarat players.

Top 10 Baccarat Beginner Mistakes:

  • Avoid playing too much on player/player.
  • Draw/tie is a bad option even if big wins entice.
  • DO NOT forget to take advantage of the casino bonus in online baccarat.
  • Many gamblers never bet money on the bank. Huge mistake.
  • Never focus on your result but use your energy on your decision-making process instead.
  • Many players never learn to count cards in baccarat.
  • Always remember to check BETO for new Baccarat articles.

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Baccarat variants and casino promotions

From time to time it happens, that you are offered other variations of the game. There are usually four versions of Baccarat that you are offered. Mini-Baccarat is just like the name indicates a smaller version of the same game.

Chemin de Fer is the French version of the card game, even though it was invented in Italy. You may also be lucky from time to time and see Punto Banco and Baccarat Banque being offered. In rare cases, you may see a promotion called EZ Baccarat.

This version contains a few more bets you can make, especially Highrollers love this version of Baccarat. The larger online casinos also offer a baccarat version called "No commission" or just NC baccarat. There is no standard 5% commission to the casino on winnings you have made on the Banker bet.

If you are interested in what some of these different versions look like, you can click on the image with "Mini-Baccarat", and then you can try out the game for free and without risk.

The free Mini-Baccarat game follows the same rules as in an online casino, so you have the chance to test your card game knowledge without it costing you money.

  • Click on the image with Mini-Baccarat to try this game for free here at BETO.
mini baccarat is a version of the game you see often.

Free game

Mini baccarat is a version of the game you see often.

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New articles on Baccarat game theory and promotions

If your goal is to play on a more than just fun basis where you play a few single sessions of baccarat throughout the year, then invest a little more of your time and energy on strategies and systems you can use to develop your knowledge. 

Whether you expect to play at an online casino or the local casinos, you can use what you have learned here at BETO.

More Punto Banco strategies on the way, such as systems and strategies explained and for you to take advantage of in your online games.

May Lady Luck smile at you in your next games!

Live baccarat table with dealer and players.

Live baccarat table with dealer and players.

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Most frequently asked Baccarat questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers about the game of Baccarat.

Can I play baccarat in all Casinos?

Not all the casinos offer the baccarat game, but almost all of the big online casinos have several versions of baccarat tables, including the amazing live baccarat tables, where it is like being in a real casino.

Does BETO have more baccarat information?

If you bookmark beto.com and return regularly here on the punto banco section, there is good news as all-new baccarat articles that we are working on will be published here.

Is it illegal to play Baccarat?

No, fortunately, it is perfectly legal to play all variants of the card game Baccarat (Punto Banco) in most of the world.

Is baccarat the same as video poker?

The short answer is no. The long answer is that many people mistakenly compare the two games with each other, but both the odds and the playing rules are very different from each other.

Can baccarat be recommended to new casino players?

This card game has some of the absolute best player odds of all casino games available, so it is definitely a good place to start as a gambler. It is a lot easier to play optimally in Baccarat than in many other casino games.

Can't it be difficult with so many different versions of Baccarat?

The good thing about baccarat is that the basic rules are used for all the different card game variants, so you are more than equipped to play the different versions of Punto Banco.

Are there casino bonuses that I can use in Baccarat?

Some of the best casino bonuses you can take advantage of in online baccarat are when the casino offers you a live casino gaming bonus. These are mostly super easy to take advantage of in this lightning-fast and fascinating card game.