Baccarat 101: Banker, Player or Tie?

Why the Banker bet is the smartest wager at the table - and how the third-card rules work.

The Basics

In Baccarat, your goal is to bet on which hand - Player or Banker - will be closest to nine. Cards two to nine are worth face value, tens and face cards are zero and aces are one. If the total goes into double digits, only the last digit counts.

The game is dealt entirely by the croupier, with no decisions required from the player.

Which Bet is Best?

Banker has a house edge of 1.06% after the 5% commission, Player has 1.24% and Tie has a hefty 14.4%. The mathematical choice is clear: Banker, then Player, and avoid Tie.

Pair side bets are fun but carry a larger house edge.

Third Card Rules

If either hand totals 8 or 9, both stand (a 'natural'). Otherwise, the Player draws on 0-5 and stands on 6-7. The Banker's decision depends on the Player's third card and the Banker's own total.

You do not need to memorise these - the dealer applies them automatically.

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