Baccarat Made Simple: Player, Banker or Tie?
Baccarat looks posh but it's one of the simplest casino games. Here's how a hand works and why the Banker bet is the classic choice.
In this article
In baccarat you don't play a hand yourself. You bet on which of two hands, Player or Banker, will finish closest to 9, or on a Tie.
Card values
Aces count 1, 2–9 count face value, and 10s and picture cards count 0. Only the last digit of the total matters: 7 + 8 = 15, which counts as 5.
The three main bets
| Bet | Usual payout | House edge (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Banker | 1:1 minus 5% commission | 1.06% |
| Player | 1:1 | 1.24% |
| Tie | 8:1 | 14%+ |
Why Banker is the classic bet
Because of the drawing rules, the Banker hand wins slightly more often, which is why the casino charges a commission on Banker wins. Even after commission, it has the lowest house edge.
Skip the Tie
The 8:1 payout looks tempting, but ties don't happen often enough to make it worthwhile over time.
Card games not your thing? Try roulette or our live casino guide.
Tunde Bakare
Tunde has followed European and African football for over a decade and builds data-driven previews focused on value, not hype.
