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.
The Basics of Baccarat Scoring
You simply place your chips on either the Banker section, the Player section, or the Tie section.
If a hand's total exceeds 9, the first digit is dropped; for example, a 7 and an 8 equals 15, which drops the 1 to become a 5.
- 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
Mini-Baccarat and Other Popular Variations
While the core math remains the same, casinos offer several variations to speed up the game or cater to different budgets.
In Mini-Baccarat, the dealer handles all the cards quickly, players cannot touch them, and the minimum bets are much lower.
| Rule Variation | How it Changes the Game | House Edge Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 5% Commission | Requires dealers to calculate small change payouts | Banker edge remains 1.06% |
| EZ Baccarat (No Commission) | Faster payouts, no annoying math for the dealer | Banker edge remains roughly 1.02% (due to the push rule) |
It is the perfect game for players who prefer to rely entirely on luck without worrying about making strategic mistakes.