Baccarat Rules and Strategies for Beginners
August 6, 2026 2026-08-06 9:24Baccarat Rules and Strategies for Beginners
Baccarat Rules and Strategies for Beginners
Despite its glamorous reputation, baccarat is actually one of the simplest games in the casino.
Your only real decision is deciding which side to bet on before the cards are dealt.
How Baccarat Scoring Works
There are only two hands dealt in the game: the Player hand and the Banker hand.
If a hand’s total exceeds nine, the first digit is dropped (e.g., a 15 becomes a 5).
- Tens and face cards count as zero
- If the total goes over 9, drop the first digit
- The dealer automatically draws third cards
Which Baccarat Bet is Best?
Mathematically, the Banker bet is the safest wager you can make on the casino floor.
Consistently betting on the Banker is considered the optimal mathematical strategy for long-term play.
The Danger of Betting on a Tie
While the Banker and Player bets are fantastic, the Tie bet is famously terrible.
Although the high payout is alluring, the probability of a tie occurring is mathematically very low.
| Option | Casino Advantage | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Player Hand | Low | Good Bet |
| Tie Option | 14.36% | Never Bet |
By simply betting on the Banker consistently, you are playing with near-optimal mathematical efficiency.