If you’ve never played Baccarat before, it might be a bit confusing knowing the different rules, types of bet and so on. We’ve created this guide to give you more of an idea of the rules of Baccarat and how to play. A winning hand in Baccarat is the hand closest to nine with a nine or an eight giving what’s known as a natural win. Two cards are dealt to the player and then to the banker after the initial bets are made.
Table Layout
All types of Baccarat use an identical table layout, although there might be some minor differences in the size of the table. A Baccarat table has a semi-circle shape and typically has space for fourteen players. In front of each player will be the space for the three main bets; player, banker and tie (more on these next). Off to the side of the table is the area for side bets.
Player, Banker, Tie
When you play Baccarat, you’ll choose your bet from three main different options at the start of the hand. These are:
- Player hand
- Banker hand
- Tie hand
Player or banker is the main bet, and you’ll have to pick one to play. The player pair and the banker pair are both side bets which aren’t available at all Baccarat tables. Some game variations of Baccarat will also allow you to bet on banker and player hand, banker and player pair, or tie at the same time.
In Baccarat, you are the player, and the dealer is known as the banker. Unlike most other casino games, you can still win at Baccarat if you happen to lose your hand. Provided you bet on the banker, you’ll still win your bet should the banker’s hand win. Before the round begins, you’ll choose whether you think your hand will win, the banker’s hand will win or if it will be a tie.
Side Bets
Some variations of Baccarat will also let you bet on side bets such as the player pair or the banker pair. This is where the first two cards dealt to either you or the banker are a pair. For example, a 10 and another 10. This side bet usually pays out at 12 to 1 but can vary depending on the site you’re playing at. Some casinos may offer other types of side bet too, make sure you check the in-game rules to see what’s available.