Despite its reputation as an intimidating, elite game played only in private VIP salons, Baccarat is actually incredibly simple.

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

You simply place your chips on either the Banker section, the Player section, or the Tie section.

If a hand’s total exceeds 9, the first digit is dropped; for example, a 7 and an 8 equals 15, which drops the 1 to become a 5.

• The dealer distributes two cards to the Player hand and two cards to the Banker hand
• Depending on the exact totals, a complex set of casino rules determines if a third card is drawn for either side
• You 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.

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