Exploring The Rules And Variations Of Casino Baccarat

Walking past a Baccarat table can feel intimidating, but it requires absolutely no skill or complex strategy to play.


In fact, Baccarat is arguably the easiest table game in the entire casino, functioning almost exactly like a simple coin flip.

The Core Rules: Banker vs. Player

In Baccarat, there are only two hands dealt on the table: the 'Banker' hand and the 'Player' hand.


Because of this dropping rule, it is mathematically impossible to 'bust' or go over 9 in Baccarat.

The dealer distributes two cards to the Player hand and two cards to the Banker handDepending on the exact totals, a complex set of casino rules determines if a third card is drawn for either sideYou do not need to memorize the third-card drawing rules; the dealer executes them automatically
Mini-Baccarat and Other Popular Variations

While the core math remains the same, casinos offer several variations to speed up the game or cater to different budgets.


Another popular variation is 'EZ Baccarat,' which completely eliminates the annoying 5% commission on the Banker bet.

Rule VariationHow it Changes the GameHouse Edge ImpactStandard 5% CommissionRequires dealers to calculate small change payoutsBanker edge remains 1.06%EZ Baccarat (No Commission)Faster payouts, no annoying math for the dealerBanker edge remains roughly 1.02% (due to the push rule)

If you want a low-stress game with fantastic mathematical odds, Baccarat should be your primary destination on the floor.