Baccarat may have a reputation as a high-stakes game for the elite, but it's actually one of the easiest casino games to learn. It offers some of the best odds in the casino and requires very little strategy, making it a great choice for both beginners and experienced players.

The Goal of the Game
Baccarat is a comparing card game played between two hands: casino - atuttavita.com, the "Player" and the "Banker". The aim is to wager on the hand—Player or Banker—that will end up with a higher score. There are three possible bets: Player, Banker, or Tie.

Card Values in Baccarat

Cards 2-9: Count as their printed numerical value. 10s, casino Jacks, Queens, and Kings (Face Cards): These cards have no point value. Aces: Are worth 1 point.

Hand totals are calculated by adding the values of the cards. If the total is a two-digit number, only the second digit is used. A 7 and an 8 would total 15, so the hand's value is 5. A "natural" is a two-card hand totaling 8 or 9, and it is an automatic win unless both hands are a natural of the same value (a tie).

Which Bet is Best?
After you make your wager, the rest of the game is on autopilot. The dealer handles everything according to strict "tableau" rules. Let's examine the three wagers and their associated odds.

Wager Type House Edge Notes

Banker ~1.06% Despite a 5% commission on wins, this is the smartest bet you can make. It has the lowest house edge of the three.

Player Very Low (1.24%) A very solid bet with only a slightly higher house edge than the Banker. There is no commission taken on Player wins.

Bet on a Tie ~14.36% While the 8-to-1 payout is tempting, the Tie bet has a massive house edge and is one of the worst bets in the entire casino. It should be avoided by serious players.

The clear strategy in baccarat is simple: consistently bet on the Banker. While this may not be the most exciting approach, it gives you the best mathematical chance of winning over the long term. Baccarat's combination of simplicity, low house edge, casino and suspense makes it a timeless classic.