How to Play Baccarat: Baccarat Rules Explained

Baccarat is one of the most straightforward casino games that require minimal skill. It happens to be the perfect game for bettors in the United Kingdom who love fast-paced card games, without having to learn plenty of complex rules. Probably only Roulette has as simple rules as Baccarat, which is one of the main reasons why Baccarat is still that popular.

We will go over the major aspects of each and every rule of the game in this guide. Starting with the card evaluation, what the game's objective is, and also what actions can the player and the banker take. To finish things up, we will see some of the major terms that can help even beginners start playing baccarat without any concerns.

What is Baccarat?

Baccarat, also referred to as just Baccara, is a casino card game. The simple gameplay of the baccarat card game is to compare cards, between the player’s hand and the banker’s. Each Baccarat coup, which is the term for the round in the game, has three possible outcomes:

• Player (Player’s hand is better),
• Banker (Banker’s hand is better),
• Tie.

Online Baccarat Rules Explained for UK Players

For the purposes of today’s guide, the Punto Banco Baccarat variation will be taken into account. Punto Banco is the type of game which is the most widespread, so it’s usually referred to as the standard baccarat variation.

It is important to remember that the Baccarat card game is a game of chance, so technically, increasing chances of winning are limited. But, there are still some key tricks that can help take an edge over the game, like avoiding the tie bet option.

Baccarat Gameplay

The Baccarat gameplay rules are quite simple, and all that has to be remembered when playing it is:

• The player always makes a bet on what the possible outcome of the game could be, where three options are available:

  • To Bet on a Player Win,
  • To Bet on a Dealer Win,
  • To Bet on a Tie.
• The cards are shuffled by the dealer every time, before dealing two cards to the player and himself, always face down,
• When neither side has a natural hand, which is an automatic win, when the cards are turned over, bets can be placed,
• The main objective of the Baccarat game is to get a hand with a value of 9, which is the highest possible combination.

The statistics say that the banker’s hand will win 45.8% of the time, whereas the player’s hand will win 44.6%, and the rest of 9.6% goes for a Tie.

Card Values

As stated in Baccarat card game rules, cards have point values as follows:

• Ace - 1
• Numbered Cards 2 to 9 - Face Value
• 10, J, Q, K - 0

The hand values in Baccarat are based only on the last digit of the card's value. As an example, if a player is dealt with a 6 and 9, the sum is 15, so the hand value is 5, which is the last digit of the number.

Stands and Draws Explained for UK Players

Draws (Hit) and Stands are the only possible actions that can be taken in a Baccarat Game. Draw, which is more popular in the Baccarat world as Hit, is when the player wants to be dealt an additional card, making the total count of cards 3.

If the player chooses to stand, it’s an indication that no more cards are required, so the intention is to proceed with the current value of their hand.

The Baccarat card game rules for hitting and standing are different for the banker and the player’s hands.

Rules for the Player's Hand

How the game proceeds is determined by the player’s hand, as the Banker’s actions may vary depending on the player’s decision to stand or draw.

• If the player is dealt with a total of 6 or 7, they stand.
• If the player gets 5 or less, a third card is drawn.

Rules for the Banker's Hand

The rules for the Banker's Hand are more complex, as the action is strongly dependent on how the player played their hand.

If the player stands, the banker follows the same rules as for the player’s hand. But, if the player has drawn a third card, the banker’s rules become quite more intricate.

• If the banker's total is 7, they stand every time,
• If the banker's total is 6, they draw if the third card dealt to the player is a 6 or 7,
• If the banker's total is 5, they draw if the third card dealt to the player is a 4, 5, 6, or 7,
• If the banker's total is 4, they draw if the third card dealt to the player is a 2, 4, 5, 6, or 7.
• If the banker's total is 3, they draw in all cases, except if the player's third card is an 8.
• If the banker's total is 2, they always draw another card.

While the dealer handles all these baccarat third card rules, it's always beneficial for UK players to be aware of them.

Why Play Baccarat Online in the UK?

Baccarat has consistently been one of the most popular online casino games for players to enjoy. There are numerous reasons for this, but let's explore some of the most significant ones for UK gamblers.

Advantages for UK Players

• The rules of baccarat at top UK online casino sites are straightforward and can be learned quickly.
• There are plenty of generous bonus offers available for playing online baccarat, which can enhance your gameplay.
• The online baccarat game is readily accessible at virtually any online casino catering to UK players.
• Online casinos offer numerous variations of the baccarat card game, providing diverse experiences.
• Baccarat boasts one of the lowest house edges among popular table games, offering better player odds.
• When playing baccarat online, players have full control over their bankroll management.
• Playing online baccarat is often free to try in demo modes before wagering real money.

Potential Drawbacks

• Some online baccarat tables may charge a commission on winning banker bets.
• The banker's drawing rules can be complex, making them challenging to memorise for some players.
• Baccarat tables could be rigged if played at unlicensed online casinos, highlighting the importance of choosing reputable sites.
• As a game of chance, baccarat outcomes are largely down to luck, making it difficult to influence the results consistently.
• The potential payouts for the standard banker and player bets in baccarat are not exceptionally high.

Final Thoughts on Baccarat for UK Players

Baccarat stands out as a table game with exceptionally simple rules and a low house edge, explaining its enduring popularity. Many players in the UK are keen to enjoy this straightforward game. With these baccarat rules demystified, any player can start playing online right away.

It's always wise to remember that while baccarat rules are simple, it remains a game of chance. Therefore, the odds of winning cannot be significantly influenced.