Casino rules
how to play baccarat
A beginner's guide to Player, Banker and Tie
To play baccarat, you simply bet on which of two hands — Player or Banker — will total closest to 9, or that they will Tie. You don't play a hand yourself; the dealer deals both hands to fixed rules, and the one nearer to 9 wins.
Baccarat is one of the easiest casino games because every decision after the bet is automatic. Below are the scoring and the third-card rules. Prefer a game where your choices matter? Compare it with our blackjack walkthrough.
The three bets
Before the deal you back one of three outcomes: Player, Banker or Tie. Player and Banker are near even-money bets; Banker wins slightly more often, so a small commission (usually 5%) is taken on Banker wins. Tie pays more but happens rarely, which is why it's the weakest bet.
How hands are scored
Each hand gets two cards. The card values are:
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 |
| 2–9 | Face value |
| 10, J, Q, K | 0 |
You add the cards and use only the last digit of the total — so 7 + 6 = 13 is scored as 3. The highest possible score is 9. A first-two-card total of 8 or 9 is a "natural" and ends the hand immediately.
The third-card rules
Whether a third card is drawn is decided by fixed rules, not by you. In short: if either hand has a natural 8 or 9, the hand stands. Otherwise the Player hand draws on 0–5 and stands on 6–7, and the Banker's draw depends on its total and the Player's third card. You never have to memorise this — the dealer applies it automatically. For the hand rankings used in poker-style casino games instead, see the poker hand rankings.
How to play baccarat, step by step
- Place your bet Back Player, Banker or Tie before the deal.
- Two cards each The dealer deals two cards to the Player hand and two to the Banker hand.
- Score the hands Add the cards and use only the last digit; tens and pictures are 0.
- Check for a natural A two-card 8 or 9 ends the hand immediately.
- Apply the third-card rules The dealer draws a third card for either hand automatically if required.
- Settle bets The hand closest to 9 wins; Banker wins pay a small commission.
Frequently asked questions
Is Banker or Player the better bet in baccarat?
Banker wins slightly more often and has the lower house edge, which is why a small commission (usually 5%) is taken on Banker wins. The Tie bet is the weakest because it rarely happens.
Why does 13 score as 3 in baccarat?
Only the last digit of the total counts, so any total of 10 or more drops the tens. 7 + 6 = 13 becomes 3, and the highest possible score is 9.
Do I decide whether to draw a third card?
No. The third-card rules are fixed and applied automatically by the dealer, which is what makes baccarat so simple to play.