Baccarat Strategy Guide

Baccarat Basics

Baccarat is a simple card game where you bet on either the Player, Banker, or Tie. The goal is to get as close to 9 as possible. Face cards and 10s count as 0, aces count as 1, and all other cards count as their face value. If the total exceeds 9, only the last digit counts (e.g., 15 = 5).

Game Flow

1. Place your bet on Player, Banker, or Tie
2. Two cards are dealt to Player and Banker
3. If either hand totals 8 or 9 (natural), the game ends
4. Otherwise, a third card may be drawn based on fixed rules
5. Closest hand to 9 wins

Betting Options & House Edge

Optimal Baccarat Strategy

1. Always Bet on Banker

The Banker bet has the lowest house edge at 1.06%. This is your best option for minimizing losses over time.

2. Never Bet on Tie

With a 14.44% house edge, the Tie bet is one of the worst bets in any casino game. The attractive 8:1 payout doesn't come close to compensating for the terrible odds.

3. Use Flat Betting

Since baccarat is a negative expectation game, progressive betting systems like Martingale will only increase your losses. Stick to flat betting with a consistent bet size.

4. Set Loss Limits

Decide how much you're willing to lose before you start playing and stick to that limit. Never chase losses.

5. Ignore Patterns

Each hand is independent. Previous results have no bearing on future outcomes. Don't fall for the "hot streak" fallacy.

Baccarat Variants

Standard Baccarat (Banker Edge: 1.06%, Player Edge: 1.24%)

Traditional baccarat with 5% commission on Banker bets. House edge: Banker 1.06%, Player 1.24%

Commission Baccarat (Banker Edge: 1.17%, Player Edge: 1.24%)

Higher commission (usually 6%) on Banker bets. House edge: Banker 1.17%, Player 1.24%

Mini Baccarat (Banker Edge: 1.06%, Player Edge: 1.24%)

Faster-paced version with lower betting limits. Same rules and house edge as standard baccarat.

Punto Banco (Banker Edge: 1.06%, Player Edge: 1.24%)

Most common variant in US casinos. Same rules as standard baccarat.

Why Baccarat Has a House Edge

Even though the Banker has a slight statistical advantage, the 5% commission on winning Banker bets ensures the house always has an edge. This is why baccarat, like all casino games, is designed to be profitable for the casino over time.

Key Takeaway: No betting system or strategy can overcome the house edge in baccarat. The best you can do is minimize your losses by betting on Banker and using flat betting.

Simulator Strategy

In the baccarat simulator, we recommend:

• Always select "Banker" as your bet type
• Use "Flat" betting pattern to minimize risk
• Set realistic bankroll limits
• Focus on entertainment value, not profit