Exploring The Rules And Variations Of Casino Baccarat

Walking past a Baccarat table can feel intimidating, but it requires absolutely no skill or complex strategy to play.


In fact, Baccarat is arguably the easiest table game in the entire casino, functioning almost exactly like a simple coin flip.

The Core Rules: Banker vs. Player

In Baccarat, there are only two hands dealt on the table: the 'Banker' hand and the 'Player' hand.


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 handDepending on the exact totals, a complex set of casino rules determines if a third card is drawn for either sideYou do not need to memorize the third-card drawing rules; the dealer executes them automatically
From Chemin de Fer to Punto Banco

While the core math remains the same, casinos offer several variations to speed up the game or cater to different budgets.


Another popular variation is 'EZ Baccarat,' which completely eliminates the annoying 5% commission on the Banker bet.

Rule VariationHow it Changes the GameHouse Edge ImpactStandard 5% CommissionRequires dealers to calculate small change payoutsBanker edge remains 1.06%EZ Baccarat (No Commission)Faster payouts, no annoying math for the dealerBanker edge remains roughly 1.02% (due to the push rule)

Simply sit down, consistently bet the Banker, and let the dealer handle the complex drawing rules.