Baccarat Rules – How to Play Baccarat?
Do you love the glamorous casino world and want to feel like the next James Bond at the baccarat table – but have no idea how the game even works? No need to worry, because we'll explain the baccarat rules to you simply and clearly, so you'll soon be ready to participate in your first round – and maybe even win right away?
Rome wasn't built in a day, and like any other game, you first need to understand baccarat and familiarize yourself with the rules to play it. However, you already have the advantage that this card classic is easy to learn. There are only a few rules, and the rest is left to chance. Everything you need to know, you'll find out here – and if you want to jump right into the first round to put your newly acquired knowledge to use, you're in exactly the right place at the GOLDEN GRAND Online Casino.
What is Baccarat anyway?
The name Baccarat sounds familiar, but you're not sure what it actually is? In short: Baccarat is a game of chance played with cards. The card game is played in casinos worldwide and is considered one of the most popular casino games ever. But how did it come to be?
In fact, the origins of Baccarat can be traced back to the Middle Ages – so it's a game that has been providing fun, excitement, and enthusiasm for centuries. It is believed that the card classic originated in Italy in the 15th century, created by the gambler Felix Falguiere, and the name "Baccarat" is derived from the Italian word "baccara," which means "zero." This name was probably chosen because tens and face cards in the game have a value of zero points.
At the very beginning, Baccarat was played with tarot cards and was especially popular among the upper class. This is how it gained its reputation as a game of the nobility. Since then, however, the game has continuously evolved, and the baccarat rules have changed over time. For example, when Baccarat reached France in the late 15th century through soldiers, the variants Chemin de Fer and Baccarat Banque were mainly played, which focused on more interaction between players. Then later, in the 19th century, the game became increasingly popular in England and in America, where the modern variant Punto Banco was able to establish itself in casinos.
When Baccarat then found its way into Asian casinos and Las Vegas, it quickly became one of the most popular games ever. Punto Banco is considered the most widespread version, but numerous other versions (with different baccarat rules) are also represented – including here at GOLDEN GRAND.
And how does Baccarat work?
So now we know where the game comes from and how it has developed into one of the most popular casino games worldwide. Now to the most important question: How does Baccarat work?
It all depends on which version it is, because the baccarat game rules can differ from one another. However, the best-known versions are Punto Banco, where players play against the bank, and the older version Chemin de Fer, where players compete against each other. We focus here on Punto Banco, as this version is the most frequently played and is also available to you at GOLDEN GRAND.
The game table in Punto Banco is quite simple. There are three betting fields – one to bet on the bank (Banker), one to bet on the player (Player), and one for a possible tie bet (Tie). At the beginning of the game, you place your bets on the field of your choice, and then the game can begin.
What value does each card have?
To understand the baccarat rules, you first need to know what value the different cards carry – and of course, what payouts are possible with them.
While tarot cards were used in the past, Baccarat is nowadays played with conventional poker cards. Usually, 6 to 8 sets of 52 cards each are used. The values are as follows:
- The cards from 2 to 9 each carry the value of their number. That means: A 2 counts as 2 points, a 3 as 3 points, and so on.
- The Ace carries a value of 1 in Baccarat.
- The face cards (Jack, Queen, and King) and the 10 each carry a value of 0.
You should definitely remember these rules for the card game Baccarat, because the goal is to get as close as possible to a value of 9. How exactly this works and how the game proceeds, we will explain to you in detail in the following section. Important: This is still about the Punto Banco version.
This is how you play Baccarat – the game process
The baccarat rules for Punto Banco are basically simple. First, you must place your bet at the beginning of the game. You can either bet on the bank, on the player, or that the round will end in a tie. After you have completed your bet, the dealer deals the cards. The croupier himself gets two cards and all participating players also get two. In some Baccarat versions, the cards are dealt face down on the table, but in Punto Banco they are face up.
Now it's time to calculate – don't worry, no complicated equations await you. The values of the two cards in your hand are simply added together. For example, if you have a 2 and a 3, your hand value is 5. Very simple! The goal is to get as close as possible to a value of 9 during the game. Of course, it can also happen that you exceed this value right at the beginning. If you have a 6 and an 8, for example, the value would theoretically be 14, but in these cases only the ones digit of the number counts. The value in this example would therefore be 4.
The next move
The value resulting from the added numbers determines how the game continues. If at least one player or the dealer has a "Natural Hand," i.e., a hand value between 8 and 9, the game ends immediately; no further cards are dealt. If this is not the case, the game continues and the croupier may deal a third card. The following baccarat rules apply:
| Current hand value of the player | Following move |
|---|---|
| The value is between 0 and 5 | The player gets a third card |
| The value is between 5 and 7 | The player initially does not get a third card |
For the bank, i.e., the dealer, the rules look a little different:
| Current hand value of the bank | Following move |
|---|---|
| The value is between 0 and 2 | The bank draws a third card |
| The value is 3 | The bank draws a third card, unless the player's third card was an 8 |
| The value is 4 | The bank draws a third card, unless the player's third card was an Ace (1), an 8, a 9, or a card with a value of zero (10, Jack, Queen, King) |
| The value is 5 | The bank draws a third card if the player's third card has a value between 4 and 7 |
| The value is 6 | The bank draws a third card if the player's third card is a 6 or 7 |
| The value is 7 | The bank does not draw an additional card |
If the player does not receive a third card, the whole thing looks different again. In this case, the dealer follows the same baccarat rules as the player. If the dealer receives a third card after the player has not received one, in most cases the player will now receive a third card after all, if the dealer was able to achieve a higher point value with his 3 cards than the player with 2 cards.
In the end, it means: Whoever is closest to 9 has won! And of course the big question: Did you place your bet correctly at the beginning of the round?
The most beautiful moment of the game: Your win!
You've understood the baccarat rules? Perfect! Then you're now almost ready to participate in your first game. However, one important question is still open: What about the winnings?
- If you bet on the player at the beginning of the game and were right, you receive a win in the ratio of 1:1. This means: If you bet CHF 10, you get this stake back and another CHF 10 as winnings. You have doubled your stake.
- The same rule applies in principle if you bet on the dealer and he wins. Statistically, however, the bank wins slightly more often than the player, so most casinos deduct a 5% commission here. This means: Instead of CHF 20 (including stake), you receive CHF 19.
- Are you particularly brave and love to place risky bets that can bring you high winnings? Then you should bet on a tie in Baccarat. The probability of winning with this is only about 9.5%, but the payout is, depending on the casino, 8:1 or even 9:1!
So: How will you place your bet? Do you think the player will win - or the dealer? Or do you want to really challenge your luck and bet on a tie to maybe rake in the big win afterwards? Your game, your decision! In any case, you are now familiar with the baccarat rules and at GOLDEN GRAND, several versions await you as table games as well as exciting baccarat rounds in the Live Casino!
Chemin de Fer – Player vs. Player
While Punto Banco is undoubtedly the most popular and widespread version of the card classic, the Chemin de Fer version is also frequently represented, so we'd like to give you a brief overview of the corresponding baccarat rules here as well. There are some decisive differences:
- In Chemin de Fer, the role of the dealer is taken by the players themselves. The bank role rotates clockwise around the table.
- The baccarat rules in this version give the player more freedom of decision. With a point score of 5, the player decides for himself whether to draw a third card or not. The player who is currently acting as the bank can also make this decision for himself.
- The current banker sets a stake at the beginning of the game and the other players can bet against it.
- Apart from the fact that the baccarat rules are different in Chemin de Fer, the variant popular especially in France has a more personal character as players interact more with each other.
If you decide to play Chemin de Fer rather than Punto Banco, you are now familiar with the corresponding baccarat rules for this as well and can start directly into the first round. We wish you a lot of fun - and of course good luck!
Baccarat at GOLDEN GRAND – the hunt for the magical 9 begins!
The question "How to play Baccarat?" has been answered, you now master the baccarat rules like a pro and you feel ready to dive into the game? Then choose between exciting versions like Speed Baccarat and Golden Wealth Baccarat in the Live Casino at GOLDEN GRAND or put your newly acquired skills to the test with our table games. There really is the right Baccarat game for every player here!
And if you want to try something else in between, of course other casino games from Roulette to Poker to Blackjack are waiting for you. We'll be happy to explain these to you as well if you've never played them before: Here, for example, is our article on Roulette rules.
Psst! If you're completely new to GOLDEN GRAND, we have a little something for you: a generous Welcome Bonus with which you can dive right into the world of casino games!
FAQ
What Baccarat variants are there?
There are quite a few variants of the popular card game, each with slightly different baccarat rules. The most popular and well-known versions - besides Punto Banco and Chemin de Fer - are Baccarat Banque and Mini-Baccarat. In addition, there are some less common variants such as Super 6, EZ Baccarat or Dragon Tiger.
Are there exceptions to the Baccarat rules in the casino?
Yes, depending on the casino and game variant, there can be differences in the baccarat rules. These mainly concern the amount of the payout and the commission that the casino receives. In some cases, side bets are also offered that allow for higher payouts.
Is Baccarat purely a game of chance or does strategy count?
Primarily, Baccarat is a game of chance, as players have no influence on which cards are drawn. Also, in most cases, the decision whether to draw a card is not up to the player, but to the rules. However, with a clever betting strategy, one can minimally influence the chances.
