Baccarat Fundamentals
Baccarat has the reputation of being a high-roller game, but online versions are accessible to players at all budget levels. The game is remarkably simple: you bet on whether the Player hand, the Banker hand, or a Tie will win. Two or three cards are dealt to each hand according to fixed drawing rules, and the hand closest to 9 wins.
Card values in baccarat differ from most other games. Cards 2-9 are face value, 10s and face cards are worth 0, and Aces are worth 1. If a hand total exceeds 9, only the second digit counts (so a hand of 7 + 8 = 15 counts as 5).
The Three Bets
| Bet | House Edge | Payout | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banker | 1.06% | 1:1 minus 5% commission | Best bet, mathematically |
| Player | 1.24% | 1:1 | Solid alternative |
| Tie | 14.36% | 8:1 or 9:1 | Avoid completely |
The Banker bet is the mathematically optimal choice with a house edge of just 1.06%, even after the standard 5% commission on winning bets. The Player bet at 1.24% is also reasonable. The Tie bet, despite its attractive 8:1 payout, carries a house edge over 14% and should be avoided entirely.
Baccarat Strategy
Baccarat is primarily a game of chance with no complex strategy required. The drawing rules are fixed and automatic, so you are not making decisions about how to play your hand. Your only decision is which bet to place. The mathematically optimal strategy is simply to bet Banker every hand. While this is not exciting, it gives you the best long-term expected value.
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