How Baccarat Works
Baccarat is a comparing card game between two hands: the "Player" and the "Banker." You bet on which hand will win, or if they'll tie.
Card Values: • Aces = 1 • 2-9 = Face value • 10, Jack, Queen, King = 0
The goal is to get as close to 9 as possible. If the hand total exceeds 9, only the second digit counts (e.g., 15 = 5, 17 = 7).
Both the Player and Banker are dealt two cards. A third card may be drawn based on fixed rules — you don't make any decisions after placing your bet. This makes baccarat one of the simplest casino games to play.
Baccarat Bets & House Edge
| Bet | Payout | House Edge | Commission | |-----|--------|-----------|------------| | Banker | 0.95:1 | 1.06% | 5% commission | | Player | 1:1 | 1.24% | None | | Tie | 8:1 | 14.36% | None |
Always bet on Banker. With a 1.06% house edge, the Banker bet is one of the best wagers in any casino game. The 5% commission on Banker wins is already factored into the edge — it's still the optimal play.
Never bet on Tie. The 14.36% house edge is terrible. The 8:1 payout looks attractive but doesn't compensate for how rarely ties occur.
Baccarat Strategy
Baccarat is almost entirely a game of chance. The optimal strategy is simple:
1. Always bet Banker — it has the lowest house edge at 1.06%. 2. Ignore pattern tracking — scoreboards and road maps are common at baccarat tables, but past results don't affect future outcomes. 3. Avoid side bets — Player Pair, Banker Pair, and other side bets have significantly higher house edges. 4. Set win/loss limits — Decide your stop-win and stop-loss amounts before sitting down. 5. Don't use betting systems — Martingale and other progressive systems don't change the math.
The beauty of baccarat is that optimal play requires zero skill. Just bet Banker and let the cards fall.
Live Baccarat vs RNG Baccarat
US online casinos offer two types of baccarat:
RNG (Software) Baccarat: • Faster gameplay — instant results • Lower minimum bets (often $1-$5) • No social interaction • Good for practicing or casual play
Live Dealer Baccarat: • Real cards dealt by human dealers on camera • Multiple camera angles and squeeze features • Higher minimums ($5-$25+) • Social chat with dealers and players • Multiple variants: Speed Baccarat, Lightning Baccarat, Baccarat Squeeze
Live baccarat is the premium experience. Evolution Gaming powers live baccarat at most US casinos and offers consistently professional streams.
Best Baccarat Games at US Online Casinos
• Lightning Baccarat (Evolution) — Random multipliers up to 512x. Available at BetMGM, FanDuel. • Baccarat Squeeze (Evolution) — Dramatic card reveal with squeeze mechanic. Available at BetMGM, DraftKings. • Speed Baccarat (Evolution) — Rounds complete in 27 seconds. For players who want fast action. • First Person Baccarat (Evolution) — RNG game with a 3D table view and low minimums. • EZ Baccarat — No commission variant. Banker wins with a three-card 7 push instead of paying 5%.