Baccarat is a casino card game built around two hands called Player and Banker. Before the cards are dealt, you choose whether you think the Player hand will win, the Banker hand will win or the result will be a Tie. Despite their names, Player and Banker are simply the names of the two hands. Betting on Banker does not mean you become the dealer or act as the casino.
The rules can vary between baccarat versions, so it is worth checking the information displayed at the table or in the game before playing.
What Is the Objective of Baccarat?
The objective of baccarat is to predict which hand will finish with a total closest to nine.
There are three possible main outcomes:
- Player wins: The Player hand is closer to nine.
- Banker wins: The Banker hand is closer to nine.
- Tie: Both hands finish with the same total.
A hand does not have to reach exactly nine to win. It simply needs to have a final value closer to nine than the other hand.
Baccarat Card Values
Understanding baccarat card values is one of the first things beginners should learn:
- Ace: Worth 1 point.
- 2 to 9: Worth their displayed value.
- 10, Jack, Queen and King: Worth 0 points.
- Suits: Do not affect the value of a hand.
Only the final digit of a hand’s total counts. For example:
- A 4 and a 3 equal 7.
- A 7 and an 8 total 15, so the hand’s value is 5.
- A 9 and a King equal 9, because the King is worth zero.
The highest possible baccarat hand value is nine.
Baccarat Betting Options
There are three main baccarat betting options.
Player bet: A Player bet wins if the Player hand finishes closer to nine than the Banker hand.
Banker bet: A Banker bet wins if the Banker hand finishes closer to nine. Depending on the game, a winning Banker bet may be subject to a commission or use an alternative payout structure.
Tie bet: A Tie bet wins if the Player and Banker hands finish with the same final value.
Payouts, commissions and available side bets can differ between baccarat games. Always check the displayed rules and payouts rather than assuming every table works in exactly the same way.
How a Baccarat Round Works
A typical baccarat round follows a straightforward sequence:
- Choose a stake: Select an amount within the game’s minimum and maximum betting limits.
- Place a bet: Choose Player, Banker or Tie.
- Cards are dealt: The Player and Banker hands normally receive two cards each.
- Values are calculated: The baccarat scoring system is applied to both hands.
- Additional cards may be dealt: A third card can be added according to predetermined rules.
- The hands are compared: The hand with the value closest to nine wins, and qualifying bets are settled.
A round can therefore be completed without players having to make decisions about how the cards themselves are played.
How Does the Third-Card Rule Work?
The third-card rules are an important part of baccarat for beginners, but they are simpler from a player’s perspective than they may initially appear.
Players do not decide whether the Player or Banker hand receives another card. The dealer or game software follows predetermined drawing rules.
An initial two-card total of eight or nine is generally called a natural, and the hand normally stands. Otherwise, the Player hand may receive a third card depending on its total. Whether the Banker hand draws depends on its own total and, in some situations, the third card received by the Player.
The exact rules can vary by baccarat version, so check the game’s information if you want to understand the specific drawing procedure.
How Are Winning Bets Determined?
The final values of the two hands determine which main bets win:
- A Player bet wins when the Player hand is closest to nine.
- A Banker bet wins when the Banker hand is closest to nine.
- A Tie bet wins when both hands have the same final value.
- If a Tie occurs, Player and Banker bets may be treated differently depending on the game’s rules.
Before placing a wager, review the displayed payout information and any commission applied to Banker wins.
What to Check Before Playing Baccarat
Before playing baccarat in Botswana, check:
- Minimum and maximum stakes.
- Player, Banker and Tie payouts.
- Any commission on winning Banker bets.
- The game’s third-card rules.
- Available side bets and their payouts.
- Which baccarat version is being offered.
- Whether it is an RNG-based or live-dealer game.
- The game’s published RTP information.
These details can help you understand exactly how the selected game operates before you place a wager.
Baccarat Tips for Beginners
A few basic points can make the rules easier to understand:
- Learn the card values before playing.
- Remember that only the final digit of the total counts.
- Check payouts because they can vary between games.
- Choose stakes that fit a predetermined budget.
- Do not chase losses or increase stakes impulsively.
- Previous results do not determine the outcome of the next hand.
- Treat side bets as optional and read their rules carefully.
Understanding baccarat rules can help you follow the game, but it does not change the element of chance involved.
Play Baccarat Responsibly
Baccarat is a game of chance, and no betting pattern or system can guarantee a winning result. Set time and spending limits before you play, take regular breaks and only use money you can afford to lose.
For more information, players can also explore guides to casino games such as blackjack, poker and roulette, as well as resources explaining RTP and volatility and responsible gaming.
18+ only. Gambling can be harmful. Play responsibly and within your limits.
Play Baccarat on Betway Botswana
Join our Telegram Channel
Get way more with Betway. Enjoy the thrill of sports betting, casino games, and more. Join our community for tips, bonuses, and exciting offers. #BetwaySquad
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, Instagram and Youtube. Download the Betway app to bet on the go!
