Baccarat: Player, Banker and Tie
Baccarat is a card game built around two hands named Player and Banker. Before cards are dealt, a player chooses whether the Player hand, Banker hand, or a Tie will be the winning result.
The goal is not to build a hand freely as in blackjack. The draw and stand decisions follow fixed table rules, so the useful first step is to understand how the result is calculated.
The three main outcomes
Player
A Player bet wins when the Player hand finishes with a higher point total than the Banker hand.
Banker
A Banker bet wins when the Banker hand finishes with a higher point total than the Player hand.
Tie
A Tie bet is a separate outcome that wins only when the two final point totals are equal. Rules and payouts can vary by version.
How baccarat points work
Aces count as one; tens and face cards count as zero; other cards use their face value. If a total reaches two digits, only the final digit is used, so a total of 15 counts as five. A two-card total of eight or nine is called a natural and normally ends the round immediately.
When there is no natural, the game’s third-card rules decide whether either hand receives another card. This is a fixed procedure, not a decision made by the player.
Check the version before playing
Different baccarat variants can have different commission, side-bet, and payout rules. Read the game’s table rules and paytable before placing a bet. Set a spending and time limit, and do not treat a table-game outcome as a way to recover a loss.
Baccarat FAQ
Does Player mean the person at the table?
No. Player and Banker are the names of the two hands used to settle the round.
Can I choose whether to draw?
No. Standard baccarat uses fixed drawing rules for the Player and Banker hands.
Why should I read the paytable?
Commission, side bets, and payouts can differ between baccarat variants and operators.