How to Play Baccarat: Rules, Scoring and Odds
How to play baccarat: bet on Player, Banker or Tie, learn how hands are scored and when a third card is drawn, and see why Banker has the lowest house edge.
Jump to a chapter
Tap a step to jump straight to it in the video.
About this video: How to Play Baccarat
How to Play Baccarat explains one of the simplest card games in the casino. You do not play a hand yourself. Instead, you bet on whether the Player or the Banker hand will finish closer to 9, or on a Tie.
First, the video shows how a hand plays out. Each hand gets two cards, and then a third card may follow fixed rules. Next, it explains scoring. Cards 2 to 9 count at face value, tens and picture cards count as zero, and an ace counts as 1.
Then it covers naturals and the third card. An 8 or 9 from two cards is a natural, so both hands stand. Otherwise, the Player draws on 0 to 5. For example, 7 plus 8 makes 15, which counts as 5.
Finally, it compares the bets. Banker has a 1.06% edge after 5% commission, and Player has 1.24%. However, a Tie at 8 to 1 carries 14.36%. Also, scorecards and staking systems cannot beat the house edge.
However, rules and offers change. For that reason, we check every video against the Gambling Commission and other official sources. In fact, we last checked this one on 16 October 2026.
Read the transcript
Baccarat is one of the simplest casino card games to learn. Here’s how a hand works, how the cards are scored, and which bet gives you the best odds.
You don’t play a hand yourself. Instead, you bet on which of two hands will finish closer to 9: the Player or the Banker. You can also bet on a Tie.
First, place your chips. Next, two cards are dealt to each hand. Then a third card may be drawn to either hand, following fixed rules. Finally, the hand closest to 9 wins.
Cards 2 to 9 count at face value. Tens and picture cards count as zero, and an ace counts as 1. Only the last digit counts, so 7 plus 8 makes 15, which counts as 5.
An 8 or 9 with the first two cards is a natural, and both hands stand. Otherwise, the Player draws on 0 to 5 and stands on 6 or 7. The game applies all the rules for you.
Player pays 1 to 1, with a house edge of 1.24%. Banker also pays 1 to 1, minus 5% commission, for an edge of 1.06%. The Tie bet pays 8 to 1, but its edge is over 14%.
So the Banker bet offers the best value, with Player close behind. Each hand is independent, so scorecards of past results cannot predict the next one, and no staking system beats the house edge.
18+. Please gamble responsibly.
More video guides
18+ only. Gambling can be addictive; please play responsibly. Free, confidential help: BeGambleAware.org or the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.