How to Win at Baccarat: The Guide for US Players

Baccarat is a classic casino game popular in all parts of the globe. Its popularity started to grow many years ago. With the digitalization of the gaming industry, many people have gotten access to enjoy this wonderful game online. 

I played this game for the first time in Vegas many years ago. Simplicity and a mix of strategy and luck are two things that have convinced me to test it. Today, I play it at least twice a week because it lets me relax and have fun. 

On this page, I reveal some of my baccarat strategies that will increase your odds of winning. Ready to start your baccarat journey?

Understanding the Basics of Baccarat 

If you have never played this game, we need to start from the very beginning. Newbies should learn more about the basics of this game, the goal, and which baccarat variants are available in the online and offline casino world. 

The Objective of Baccarat

Baccarat has certain similarities with blackjack. The point of the game is to guess the hand that will be closer to the total value of nine. You can either bet on the banker, player or tie bet. Logically, each betting option comes with different winning odds and payout rates. 

Both sides participating will get two cards. In some cases, a third card will be added. Whether that will happen or not depends on the cards drawn to both sides. I will explain that in detail later. 

Another thing you need to know is the value of each card. You may think that you get the most points from 10 to K. But it’s quite the opposite, and the values look like in the table below: 

Cards	Value
From 2 to 9	Face Value (2 = 2, 4 = 4, etc.)
10, J, Q, K	0
A	1

Baccarat Rules and Gameplay

Everything starts with betting on one of the three options — banker, player, or tie.

In other words, it is not the point to get better cards than the dealer: you are not playing against the house. Your task is to predict who will win. I advise you to remember that sentence because it will simplify your first steps a lot. 

After you choose the winning side, the banker and the player get two cards. In some cases, the third card will be added.

Example:

If the total value in your hand is 5 or below:

• You will get the chord one.
• The banker must draw a card if the value of his card is 6 or lower.
• If he has 7, 8, or 9 in total, the stand option is the only possible choice.

What happens if the outcome is “Tie”? Depending on the baccarat variant, you can get the total amount back. On the other hand, if you place a wager on a tie, you will establish the biggest profit. 

Speaking of payouts, they look like this: 

• Player bet: 1:1
• Banker bet: 0.95:1
• Tie bet: 8:1

Variations of Baccarat  

Just like with any other casino game, there are different variants of baccarat. These are the most popular ones: 

• Punto Banco: Favorite version according to many gamblers (including me). It is played with 5 decks of 52 cards. 
• Chemin de Fer: It is mostly popular in Western Europe, especially in France. In this game, a player can be a banker. Meaning, you can play against other players at the table. 
• Baccarat Banque: Just like the previous variant, it is mostly popular in Europe, and the player can act as the banker. Still, you don’t play against others; you can just bet on the win of any side participating. The game is played with three decks.

Personally, me favorite version of the game is the mini baccarat. To find out its particular rules and how to win, read my dedicated page.

Essential Baccarat Strategies

What is the winning strategy for baccarat? If you have carefully read the rules, you can easily understand that things mostly depend on luck. Your task is to make moves that will eventually decrease the house edge and raise your chances of winning. 

Betting on the Banker Advantage 

I almost always place a banker bet because this option brings the highest chances of winning. For starters, the odds that a banker will win are 45.73% on average. Yet, the payout rate is slightly lower. For every dollar you invest, you will get 0.95 USD. 

Are odds for player and tie bet low? Well, predicting the player wins brings a decent amount of cash. You get a dollar for every USD you wager. The odds are 44.63% on average. At least, that’s something that official data says. From my experience, the chances are even lower. Tie bet is not worth mentioning. 

Avoiding the Tie Bet 

Okay, I need to mention it negatively. Indeed, a tie bet brings you $8 for every single dollar you invest. That means if you place a bet of $200, you can get 1.6k, which is an extremely profitable option! 

According to different studies, the odds of guessing this option are 9.53%. That’s a pretty slow percentage. Even if this scenario does happen, and you didn’t bet on it, your funds will be given back to you. Is it really worth risking?

Understanding the House Edge 

Do you know what house edge is? It is a parameter that defines the amount of money the game is programmed to keep for itself. Each baccarat game is supported by a random algorithm, which ensures complete randomness. 

On average, the RTP of this game is 1.24%. Still, different betting options come with different house edge percentages. For the banker’s hand, it is 1.06%; for the player’s hand, it is 1.24%. When we consider all the table games that exist, only blackjack comes with higher RTP, and that only counts for specific variants. 

House edge serves as a reminder that you can’t win always. 

Advanced Techniques to Enhance Your Game

In due time, you will get the desire to use advanced strategies. Here are four of them that I have been using for years. 

The 1-3-2-4 Betting System

The purpose of this tactic is to minimize the losses. Your baccarat session starts with a 1-unit bet. If you win, you move to 3 units, then 2, then 4. When you lose, you get back to the initial bet of one unit. 

The player here must define the reasonable amount per unit. For now, I will let you make your calculations. We all have different budgets available for gambling.

Flat Betting

Flat betting in baccarat is a straightforward strategy where players wager the same amount every round, regardless of previous outcomes. This method promotes responsible gambling by minimizing emotional decisions, controlling spending, and reducing losses during losing streaks.

While it requires patience and doesn’t promise quick wins, it helps players enjoy prolonged sessions and better manage their bankroll.

Bankroll Management Strategies 

I don’t know how much money you earn a month. That’s why I will share my casino budgeting method, which helped me never to cross my limits. 

Use less than 3% of your total budget on gambling. When you do the calculations, determine how many sessions you plan to have monthly. Each session should be supported with the same amount of money. 

Now, plan the number of rounds you plan to play. That will give you a precise amount of cash you can wager each time. You will expand your gameplay this way a lot. 

Recognizing Patterns and Trends 

I don’t like to talk about patterns in the gambling world. You may hear some crazy stories about the so-called shoe pattern. However, I even won’t spend your time explaining it because it is not worth it. 

I believe more in myths about ocean animals than in patterns and trends in baccarat. It is impossible to predict something. Doing so may lead you to some illusions that, very often, end up pretty bad. 

Tips for a Successful Baccarat Experience 

Despite choosing the best strategy, you need to work on a few more things. They are related to table selection and responsible gambling. 

Selecting the Right Table 

The right table is the one that comes with favorable rules. Carefully read the features of the selected baccarat variant. Ensure it has the lowest possible house edge. 

On the other hand, pick tables according to your financial capabilities. The lower minimum bet is always an adequate solution for beginners and players with moderated budgets. 

Managing Emotions During Play

Gamble responsibly with no excuse! I understand that losing strikes can make you feel nervous. However, consider baccarat a source of entertainment. Why do you play it if you are not feeling well while playing it? You have missed the point of this game! 

To clear your mind, take short breaks at least once per hour. They do not have to be too long. Five minutes will be enough. During that period, practice deep breathing with closed eyes. At least, that’s something that always helps me. 

Knowing When to Walk Away

When to stop playing baccarat? One method that can help you is setting win and loss limits.

It is not the point to gamble for the entire day. Tripling your initial budget is a fantastic reward. Every so often, I even leave the table after doubling it. It is unreasonable to expect massive rewards. 

Moreover, set the time limits. I recommend you play this only twice a week. Each session should last no longer than an hour and a half. However, track your wins and losses. They can last even shorter. 

And Now?

You are ready to start your baccarat journey. Pick the right table, set up your budget, and work on your self-control. Apply some strategies to increase your chances and enjoy every session to the fullest. If you need additional tips, feel free to check out my other guides on different baccarat variants.