How to Play Baccarat: Rules, Bets and Odds

FRENZY96 · 14 October 2026

Baccarat is the most popular game in live casino studios, and it is one of the easiest to learn. You do not make any decisions during the hand — you only choose what to bet on before the cards are dealt.

The aim of the game

Two hands are dealt: Player and Banker. You bet on which hand will finish closer to 9, or on a Tie. Despite the names, you are not the Player and the dealer is not the Banker — they are simply the two sides you can bet on.

Card values

Ace counts as 1.
Cards 2 to 9 count at face value.
10, Jack, Queen and King count as 0.
Only the last digit of a total counts: 7 + 8 = 15, which counts as 5.

How a hand is played

Two cards are dealt to Player and two to Banker.
If either hand totals 8 or 9 (a "natural"), both hands stand and the round ends.
Otherwise, Player draws a third card on a total of 0 to 5 and stands on 6 or 7.
Banker then follows a fixed table of rules based on its own total and Player's third card. The dealer applies these automatically — you never need to remember them.

The main bets

Player — pays 1:1. House edge about 1.24%.
Banker — pays 1:1 minus a 5% commission on wins (so a $10 win pays $9.50). House edge about 1.06%, the lowest of the three.
Tie — usually pays 8:1. House edge about 14%, so it is the most expensive bet on the table.

Some tables run "no commission" baccarat, where Banker pays 1:1 but a Banker win on a total of 6 pays only half. Side bets such as Pairs are also common. Each studio sets its own payouts, so check the payout board on your table.

Do patterns and roadmaps help?

Live baccarat tables show roadmaps (the Big Road, Bead Plate and so on) that record past results. Many players enjoy following them, but each hand is dealt from a shuffled shoe, and past results do not predict the next one.

A simple approach

If you want the lowest house edge, stick to Banker or Player and skip the Tie and most side bets. Choose a table whose minimum bet fits your budget, and decide in advance how many hands you will play.

See live casino studios

Frequently asked questions

Is Banker or Player the better bet in baccarat?

Banker has a slightly lower house edge (about 1.06% against 1.24%) even after the 5% commission. The difference is small, so either is a reasonable choice.

Why is there a commission on Banker bets?

Because of the drawing rules, Banker wins slightly more often than Player. The 5% commission balances that advantage.

What happens to Player and Banker bets on a Tie?

On most tables, Player and Banker bets are returned (a push) when the hand is a Tie. Check the rules on your table.

Do I need to know the third-card rules?

No. The dealer applies them automatically. You only choose your bet before the cards are dealt.

Can I play live baccarat on my phone?

Yes. Live tables at FRENZY96 stream to your mobile or desktop browser, in Australian dollars.