Baccarat is famous worldwide as the game of choice for James Bond and high-rolling Asian billionaires.
In fact, Baccarat is arguably the easiest table game in the entire casino, functioning almost exactly like a simple coin flip.
Understanding How Baccarat is Played
The objective is to bet on the hand that you believe will have a total point value closest to the number 9.
Cards 2 through 9 are worth their face value, Aces are worth 1, and 10s and Face cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings) are worth absolutely zero.
- The dealer distributes two cards to the Player hand and two cards to the Banker hand
- Depending on the exact totals, a complex set of casino rules determines if a third card is drawn for either side
- You do not need to memorize the third-card drawing rules; the dealer executes them automatically
Exploring Different Types of Baccarat
While the core math remains the same, casinos offer several variations to speed up the game or cater to different budgets.
To compensate for the removed commission, EZ Baccarat makes a specific winning Banker hand (a three-card total of 7) a push instead of a win.
| Variation Name | Key Difference | Player Interaction |
|---|---|---|
| Big Baccarat (Punto Banco) | High limits, massive table | Players physically squeeze the cards |
| Mini-Baccarat | Low limits, half-sized table | Fast-paced, dealer touches all cards |
Simply sit down, consistently bet the Banker, and let the dealer handle the complex drawing rules.