• Strategy

Baccarat Basics

Contrary to appearances, baccarat (pronounced "bah-ka-rah") is probably the easiest game to play and has long been one of the most well-liked casino games in Europe and Latin America.

Overview of baccarat

In Baccarat, your goal is to place a wager on one of two hands that you believe will be the closest to nine. The best hand is a nine. The value of ten value cards is zero. Aces are always worth one. The value of the second digit is added to the dealt cards if either hand's total is higher than nine.

Example: 10=0 17=7 20=0 23=3.

Eight decks of cards are kept in the shoe. Every time a player hand succeeds, it is passed from one player to the next counterclockwise around the table. This motivates all players to actively participate in managing the game. Everyone places a wager on the side they believe will win (banker or player) before cards are dealt from the shoe. Then, four cards are dealt alternately by the player holding the shoe. Two of the cards are for players, and two are for bankers. The dealer calls for a potential third card for either side if the rules call for it and announces the sum of each hand (see chart). Losing bets are collected after the winning side is declared, and winning bets are paid out at even money.

A 5% commission is applied to each successful wager on the banker's side. Your commission will be tracked by the dealer, and it must be paid at the end of the shoe (though you can do so at any time during the game).

Pairs and tie bets are two additional wagers. You wager that the first two cards in either the Banker or Player hands are a pair when you place a "Pairs" bet. If so, you will receive 12 for 1. You wager that both the player and banker hands will tie when you place a "Tie" wager. In the event of a tie, you'll receive 9 for 1. Additionally, there is a proposition bet called Lucky 6.  Should you choose to wager on the Lucky 6, you win 13 for 1 on any winning two card Banker hand totaling 6 and 21 for 1 on any three card Banker hand totaling 6.

We cordially invite you to take a seat at any of the top Baccarat tables in Las Vegas, where our dealers will be happy to demonstrate the game and address any additional inquiries.

Baccarat with no commission

This thrilling Baccarat variant levies no commission on a successful bank hand. The payout for a successful Banker hand totaling 6 receives 50% of the initial wager, though.
 

The Basics To Bear In Mind

1. No additional cards are dealt if the first two cards in either the banker's or player's hand total eight or nine.
2. A card must be drawn if the player hand has zero to five cards. The player hand must stand if it has a six or seven.
   As instructed by the chart, the banker hand either stands or draws one card.
3. Mini-baccarat provides the same thrills and enjoyment as regular baccarat. The Baccarat rules also apply here. The croupier is the only person allowed to deal cards in Mini-Baccarat.

Player Hand Third Card Rule

When a player’s first two cards total:      Player’s hand:
0-1-2-3-4-5                                             Draws a card
6-7                                                           Stands
8-9                                                           Natural stands
 

Banker

When banker’s first two cards total:    Draws when player’s third card is:    Does not draw when player’s third card is:
0-1-2                                                    Banker’s hand always draws on a two-card total of 0-1-2
3                                                           1-2-3-4-5-6-7-9-0                             8
4                                                            2-3-4-5-6-7                                      1-8-9-0
5                                                            4-5-6-7                                             1-2-3-8-9-0
6                                                            6-7                                                    1-2-3-4-5-8-9-0
7                                                           Stands
8-9                                                       Natural stands

Arena Baccarat

By adding great moments of anticipation and thrills with a reasonable table minimum of just $5, this innovative new format gives the traditional baccarat format a fresh spin. You should try Stadium Baccarat if you enjoy playing the game of baccarat.

Playing Baccarat at a table and in a stadium are very similar. You can see the cards being dealt through the betting terminal's display as the game is being dealt in front of you by the dealer. Players can play up to four games simultaneously by touching the betting area on their terminals to place their bets.