The first thing you need to know when you want to know how to play baccarat is the game’s objective. Meaning, what do you need to do to win the game? The game aims to bet on a hand that you think will, and that hand has to be the closest to nine. There are only two hands that you can bet on: the banker and player.
In this guide, we give you a step by step guide on how to play baccarat. Since the game is easy to understand and play, you will be playing like a pro in no time. So, go ahead and find out how to play baccarat below.
Best Casinos to Play Baccarat
How to Play Baccarat and Win
Below is a step by step guide that will help you know how to play baccarat.
1. Bet on either the banker’s or the player’s hand
You will choose which hand you want to bet on and then place it before the cards are dealt.
2. Know the cards that are dealt
The player and banker will be dealt two cards. The order is for the players to get a card first face up, and then the next card will be for the banker. Then the second cards are dealt in the same order.
3. Announcing the point total for both player and banker
All cards have values, and the points will be added together to see which hand is closer to nine. Tens and Aces have the same value, which is zero. All the other cards have the face value.
4. Understand a Natural Win
A natural win is when the first two cards that are dealt have a point total of eight or nine. Whoever has this hand between the banker and the player wins the game.
5. Points total determines the third card
Since the game starts with the player, the points total will be checked first. If a player has a total of six or seven, then they stand. If the total is between zero and five, then the player will draw a third card. That is also if the banker does not have a natural hand.
6. How to Play Baccarat: Know the third card rules
If a player decides to stand, the banker will draw a card if the points total is zero and five. The banker will stand if they have a total of six or seven. If the player draws a card, the hands will be reliant on that card, determining what will happen. See below for the options:
- If the card is a nine or ten, face card or an Ace, the banker will draw if the points value is zero and three. The banker will stand if the points value is between four and seven.
- When the card is an eight, the banker will draw if the points total is between zero and two but will stand if the point total is between three and seven.
- If the card is six or seven, the banker will draw if the point total is between zero and six and stand with a total of seven.
- When the card is a four or five, the banker will draw a total between zero and five. The banker will stand between six and seven.
- If the card is a two or three, the banker draws a point total between zero and four and stands between five and seven.
7. Calculating the winning hand
Once all the cards have been dealt, the total points will be calculated, and the hand that is closest to nine wins if there is a tie no hand wins.
Baccarat Tricks to Win
There is always something that you can do to improve your chances of winning. Here are some of the tips that can help you maximize your winning chances:
- Never make the tie bet – the tie is the third option that you can choose to bet on, but it has a house edge of 14.4% compared to the player at 1.24% and banker at 1.06%.
- Choose to bet on the banker – the banker has a 50% slight chance of winning and the house edge better as compared to the other bets.
- Manage your bankroll – don’t chase losses and play within your means.
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