When strolling past the expensive areas of a luxurious casino, you probably noticed wealthy gamblers huddled around a table a game of Baccarat. Due to its famous connection with Ian Fleming’s 007 and extreme wealth, Baccarat is often perceived as incredibly complex or exclusively reserved for the elite. In stark contrast, the truth is that this card game is one of the easiest and best odds games on the entire casino floor.

How the Game Works: Betting on the Banker or the Player

In stark contrast to skill games, you do not make any playing decisions once the cards are dealt. The casino staff runs the math. Your only job is to place a bet on which of two hands will have a value closest to the number nine. You can only wager on three outcomes: the ‘Player’ hand winning, the Banker side, or a dead draw. You must remember that the terms ‘Player’ and ‘Banker’ do not represent you and the casino; they are merely the labels for the two sets of cards.

How to Count the Cards and the Point System

The scoring system in Baccarat is slightly unusual. Cards numbered 2 through 9 retain their pip value. Aces are always worth exactly 1 point. The picture cards and 10s count as zero points. The unique mechanic is that your final score are capped at nine. If your total is 10 or higher, you simply drop the first digit. To clarify, if you get 7 plus 8, the total is 15. By dropping the 1, the hand is worth 5.

• The ‘Banker’ bet is statistically the best wager because the drawing rules slightly favor that hand.
• Because the Banker bet wins more often, the casino charges a standard 5% commission on winning Banker wagers.
• Avoid the Tie wager completely. The casino edge is huge of around 14 percent.
• Do not worry about the draw mechanics; the dealer does the math for you.

Evaluating the Odds

To make the best mathematical choice, the following table that breaks down the exact math for the Player, Banker, and Tie.

In summary, Punto Banco is incredibly easy that offers some of the best odds in the entire casino. By ignoring the complex scorecards and always wagering on the main two options, you can enjoy a fun and relaxing session without learning complex strategies or mathematical charts. The only thing to memorize is: the Tie is a trap!