Baccarat has a reputation for elegance, but beneath that, it is one of the simplest casino games you can learn.
This guide explains how it works in the UK, covering the rules, different types of baccarat games, and the role of chance. By the end, you’ll see why it is considered a game of probability rather than decision-making, with clear examples.
Understanding this may help you decide if baccarat may be the right game for you.
What Is Baccarat and How Is It Played?
Baccarat is a card game where the main decision is whether to place a bet on the Player hand, the Banker hand, or on a Tie. These are not people at the table, but the names given to two hands of cards dealt in each round.
- The hand that ends closest to a total of nine wins.
- Aces are worth one, cards two to nine keep their face value, while tens and picture cards (kings, queens, jacks) count as zero.
- If a hand totals more than nine, only the last digit is used. For example, a seven and an eight total 15, which counts as five.
You place your bet before the cards are dealt. After that, the dealer or computer software handles everything. There are no personal playing choices once the round begins.
How Do the Rules of Baccarat Work?
Two cards are dealt to the Player hand and the Banker hand. If either totals eight or nine, this is called a “natural” and the round ends. If not, the drawing rules decide if a third card is dealt.
- The Player hand draws a third card if the total is between zero and five. If it is six or seven, it stands.
- The Banker hand follows a more detailed set of rules. Whether it draws or stands depends not only on its own total, but sometimes on the Player’s third card. This is why the Banker has a statistical edge over many rounds.
These rules are automatic, so you do not need to learn the full chart to play. However, knowing that the Banker has a small advantage explains why potential payouts are slightly adjusted on any Banker wins.
What Are the Different Types of Baccarat?
In the UK, the version you’ll most often see is Punto Banco. In this game, the casino runs everything, and your role is only to decide on your bet.
Other variations exist, but are less common online or in land-based casinos:
- Chemin de Fer: Players take turns acting as the banker and may make some decisions. It is more traditional and mostly found in continental Europe.
- Baccarat Banque: Similar to Chemin de Fer, but one player remains the banker for several rounds.
- Mini Baccarat: A faster version of Punto Banco, usually on a smaller table but with the same rules.
Some games may also add side bets with their own payout potential. These may look interesting, but usually carry a higher house edge than the main bets.
How Does the Dealing Process Affect the Game?
Baccarat is usually played from a shoe holding six or eight decks of cards. Each round, the dealer distributes two cards to each hand, with a third added only if the rules require it.
Because all of this follows a set procedure, the outcome of each round depends solely on the order of the cards. Players do not handle the cards in UK casinos, whether online or in person. The number of decks can slightly affect the probabilities, but the rules tend to stay the same.
Is Baccarat More About Probability or Decision-Making?
Baccarat is driven by probability. The main choice you make is which hand to bet on. Once bets are placed, the outcome is dictated by the drawing rules.
Over many rounds:
- The Banker bet has a house edge of around 1.06% (with standard 5% commission on any wins).
- The Player bet has a house edge of around 1.24%.
- The Tie bet, when paid at 8:1, carries a much higher edge of around 14.36%.
These figures mean the casino has a built-in advantage, but it is smaller on Banker and Player bets than on Tie.
What Role Does the House Edge Play in Baccarat?
The house edge is the mathematical advantage the casino holds over time. In baccarat, it comes from two main sources:
- The slight statistical advantage of the Banker hand, due to how the drawing rules are structured.
- The commission or altered payout rules on any Banker wins, which help balance that advantage.
Some tables may offer “no commission” baccarat. In these, the casino may instead pay reduced odds on any specific Banker wins, such as a total of six paying only half the stake. This helps to keep the house edge in line with traditional baccarat, even if it looks different on the surface.
Does Player Choice Have Any Impact on the Outcome?
Your decision is limited to betting on Player, Banker, or Tie. Once that choice is made, you cannot influence how the cards are drawn.
That said, your choice of bet type matters. Picking Banker or Player will usually give you better long-term value than Tie. However, winnings are never guaranteed.
Choosing where you play also matters, as some casinos may offer slightly different payouts or side bets. Checking the paytable before you play can help you avoid any surprises.
Why Do Many People Think Baccarat Is Purely Chance?
Baccarat feels like a chance-based game because there are no in-play choices to make. Unlike blackjack, where players can decide to hit or stand, baccarat rounds resolve automatically.
Although probability shows how results may even out over many rounds, each round is independent and can end in different ways. For this reason, baccarat is generally seen as a game of chance, not one of skill.
Are There Common Myths About Skill in Baccarat?
Several myths circulate around baccarat:
- Betting systems: Some may suggest increasing your bet after losses, but this does not change the odds or house edge.
- Pattern spotting: Scoreboards showing past results may tempt you to look for streaks. However, each round is independent, so past results do not affect future ones.
These approaches may add variety for some players, but they do not alter the mathematical advantage held by the casino.
If you play baccarat, set a spending limit you’re comfortable with and view any winnings as a bonus, not an expectation. As outcomes are unpredictable, take breaks and treat the game as entertainment within limits that suit you. Always play responsibly.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.