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GAME GUIDE
Baccarat guide
How to compare baccarat games, rules, limits and responsible-play choices.
Rules first. This guide is editorial and not betting advice - confirm the game and limits on the operator you choose.
LEARN THE GAME
Baccarat
Baccarat looks intimidating and is actually one of the simplest games on the floor - and one of the lowest-edge. The catch is the tie bet and its side bets.
Player, banker, tie
You bet on which of two hands wins (or on a tie). You do not decide the cards; the rules decide. Banker wins slightly more often and pays a 5% commission - that commission is why banker carries the lowest edge, about 1.06%.Skip the tie
The tie bet looks generous but carries a house edge north of 14%. It is the worst bet on the table by a wide margin. Player and banker are both under 1.25%.Side bets are sugar
Dragon Bonus and company sound exciting and pay big, but their edges are brutal. If you play baccarat for the low edge, side bets undo the point.Why it fits cautious players
With only three decisions and a low house edge on the main bets, baccarat rewards patience over action. Set a loss limit and let the low edge do the work.CHECKLIST
What to check before you play
A short list for this game.
- Bet banker or player, not tie
- Commission understood
- No side bets
- Loss limit set first
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Where to go next
Put the rules to work.