How to Play Baccarat | The Complete Beginnerâs Guide for 2023
Are you a beginner to online gambling and want to learn how to play baccarat and win? Then youâre in the right place! This classic casino card game has been around for centuries and continues to be a casino staple in both land-based casinos, as well as online. Itâs a game that is easy to learn and simple to play, which makes it a particularly good game for beginners. We will show you step by step how to play baccarat online so you can play confidently and win. Â
The Game of Baccarat
As we mentioned already, baccarat is very easy to learn. What makes it especially simple is that there is little to no strategy required so beginners have as much chance of a win as more experienced players. This is the ultimate game of luck and chance because the rules predetermine the moves that are available to the player. The only decision the player really makes is whether to bet on the player, the banker, or a tie. This will become clearer in the next section.Â
The benefits of playing baccarat donât stop there. There are more incentives for learning how to play baccarat game that apply to not only beginner players, but also more experienced players as well. One is that baccarat has some of the best odds in the casino. Furthermore, the house edge is very low, the payouts are good, the win frequency can be high, and the return to player percentage (RTP) is also fairly high. These factors are just some of the reasons why every player should learn and know how to play baccarat card game. Â
How to Play Baccarat â Rules
Whether you want to learn how to play baccarat in casino or online, the game is the same. Once you learn the rules of how to play, you can apply it to every baccarat game you play!Â
To start off, each round of the game is known as a âcoupâ. Before a coup begins, the player will place their bet on the playerâs hand winning, the bankerâs hand winning, or a tie. The payouts for the player hand and the banker hand winning are both 1:1. However, the house edges are different. In a game of baccarat played with six decks, the house edge is 1.24% for the playerâs hand winning and 1.06% for the bankerâs hand winning. As for a tie, the payout is 8:1 but the house edge is 14.44%. Â
Once bets are placed, the coup begins, and the dealer will deal out two cards per hand face up for each player and himself. The totals of each hand are added together with a goal of reaching 9 or the closest to it as possible. Â
Different cards hold different values, see below:Â
- Face cards and 10âs are counted as zeroÂ
- Aces are counted as oneÂ
- All other cards are counted as their valueÂ
If the total of a hand comes out to 8 or 9, then this is called a ânaturalâ and that hand wins. At this point, the coup is over, and bets are paid out. If both dealer and player have a hand with the same total of 8 or 9, then it is a tie. The coup is over and bets are paid out. Â
However, If the total of a hand comes out to ten or above, then it is subtracted by 10 and the difference is the final total. For example, say the playerâs hand was dealt a 9 and a 3, which totals to 12. Then 10 is subtracted from that to get a total of 2. In the same round, the dealerâs hand was dealt a 7 and a 3, which totals 10. If 10 is subtracted by 10, then we get a total of 0. Â
With these totals, then the predetermined rules come into play that say whether a third card is drawn for the player, dealer, or both. No hand will ever have more than three cards. In a land-based casino, these rules are usually available at the table and the same is true in online casinos. Â
Letâs use the example from above. The playerâs hand is always consulted first before the dealer. Since the player has a total of 2, letâs consult the rules that will determine whether a third card is drawn or not. Â
The rules state that if the playerâs hand totals:Â
- 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, then a third card is drawn and the values totaled againÂ
- 6 or 7, then it stands and no additional card is drawnÂ
For the dealerâs hand, the rules are a bit more complicated. If the playerâs hand stood and a third card was not drawn, then the rules are the same for the dealerâs hand:Â
- If total is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, then a third card must be drawn and values totaled againÂ
- If total is 6 or 7, then it stands and no additional card is drawnÂ
However, if the player did draw third card, then the rules are the following for the dealerâs hand:Â
- If the total is 0, 1, or 2, then a third card must be drawnÂ
- If the total is 3, 4, 5, or 6, then the decision to draw or stand depends on the third card that was drawn for the playerâs handÂ
- If the total is 7, then it must standÂ

Ready to Play
Pretty simple, right? Sure, the rules can get a bit complex when it comes to the dealerâs hand but thatâs why the handy chart is made readily available. There are no surprises here and no memorization required for the rules of the game. Players know exactly what to expect and can rest easy knowing that there is a process that baccarat follows. Just place your bets and the rest is a piece of cake. Try out the game, either free demo or real money, and find out for yourself why gamblers love baccarat!Â
FAQ: How to Play Online Baccarat?
What is the best beginner strategy for playing baccarat?
Unfortunately, there is no strategy when it comes to baccarat. This is a game that relies purely on fate and chance, so players have little to no control over how it plays out. However, more experience could lead to better results or, at the very least, more confidence and fun!Â
Where can I play baccarat online?Â
There are many places to play baccarat. Most online casinos have this classic game as it is one of the more popular games. In fact, you might have several options available to you, including live baccarat, which is a player favorite!