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.

Aces are always valued at one point, and the maximum possible score is exactly nine.

• 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%.

The Danger of Betting on a Tie

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.

By simply betting on the Banker consistently, you are playing with near-optimal mathematical efficiency.