Walking past a Baccarat table can feel intimidating, but it requires absolutely no skill or complex strategy to play.
In fact, Baccarat is arguably the easiest table game in the entire casino, functioning almost exactly like a simple coin flip.
Understanding How Baccarat is Played
You simply place your chips on either the Banker section, the Player section, or the Tie section.
If a hand’s total exceeds 9, the first digit is dropped; for example, a 7 and an 8 equals 15, which drops the 1 to become a 5.
- The dealer distributes two cards to the Player hand and two cards to the Banker hand
- Depending on the exact totals, a complex set of casino rules determines if a third card is drawn for either side
- You do not need to memorize the third-card drawing rules; the dealer executes them automatically
Exploring Different Types of Baccarat
While the core math remains the same, casinos offer several variations to speed up the game or cater to different budgets.
In Mini-Baccarat, the dealer handles all the cards quickly, players cannot touch them, and the minimum bets are much lower.
| Game Term | Definition | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Natural | Dealt an 8 or 9 on the first two cards | Hand ends immediately, winner declared |
| Chemin de Fer | A French version where players bet against each other | Extremely rare outside of Europe |
Simply sit down, consistently bet the Banker, and let the dealer handle the complex drawing rules.