Banker and Player Bets in Baccarat – If you’ve never tried your hand at baccarat, you’re not alone. Baccarat can be one of the most intimidating games in the casino. Unlike more familiar games like blackjack, craps, or roulette, baccarat is often found in high-limit areas, which can discourage casual players from giving it a go. The layout and scoreboard can seem confusing, and the high stakes may make it feel unapproachable.

However, baccarat is actually one of the most player-friendly games out there. Once you understand how it works, you’ll realize how straightforward it really is. With few decisions to make during play and one of the lowest house edges of any casino game, it’s no wonder that baccarat is a favorite among high rollers.

In this guide, we’ll explore the different betting options in baccarat—player bets, banker bets, and tie bets. We’ll explain how to place these bets, what it takes to win, and what the house edge is for each.

How to Win at Baccarat

Each round of baccarat involves two sets of cards: the player’s hand and the banker’s hand. As a gambler, you can bet on either hand. The goal is for the hand you bet on to come as close to 9 as possible.

Cards 9 and below are worth their face value, while face cards count as zero. If a hand totals more than 9, the first digit is dropped. For example, if a hand consists of a 7 and an 8, which totals 15, the 1 is dropped, making the hand a 5.

Baccarat Drawing Rules

There are specific rules for drawing additional cards, and neither the player nor the dealer gets to make those decisions. The cards drawn after the initial deal follow a predetermined set of rules. Once you’ve placed your bet on either the player or banker’s hand, all you need to do is sit back and see how the cards play out.

Now that you have a basic idea of how baccarat works, let’s dive into the betting options—starting with the player bet.

Baccarat Player Bets

Though it’s called the “player” hand, you don’t have to bet on it—you can bet on either the player or the banker’s hand. The player bet has a house edge of just 1.24%, making it one of the most attractive bets in the casino.

When the game begins, both the player’s and banker’s hands are dealt two cards. Depending on the value of those cards, additional cards may be drawn. If either hand totals 8 or 9 right off the bat, that’s called a “natural,” and the round is over, with the closest hand to 9 winning.

Definition of Horn Bet in Craps

If neither hand totals 8 or 9, the player’s hand will draw first. If the player’s total is 6 or 7, they stand. If the total is 5 or below, the player draws one more card. Once the player’s hand is complete, attention shifts to the banker.

Baccarat Banker Bets

While the player bet is already a great option, the banker bet is even better, with a house edge of just 1.06%. This makes it one of the best bets you can place in any casino.

Why is the banker bet slightly more favorable? It’s because of the way the drawing rules work. The banker hand goes last and has slightly better odds due to more favorable drawing rules.

The edge is so good for players that casinos charge a 5% commission on all winning banker bets. Without this commission, players would actually have an advantage over the house—a situation no casino could allow! The 5% fee helps maintain the house’s edge.

We won’t get into the nitty-gritty details of the banker’s drawing rules, as they can be a bit complex, but the important thing to remember is that the banker usually draws last, giving them a slight advantage over the player. If the player draws or stands and their hand isn’t better than the banker’s, the banker wins.

Conclusion

Baccarat may seem daunting at first, but once you understand how the game works, it’s surprisingly simple. With low house edges on both player and banker bets, it’s one of the most player-friendly games in the casino. Whether you’re at the high-limit table or playing online, knowing the basics of player and banker bets gives you a great starting point. Give it a try, and you might just find it’s your new favorite game!