Baccarat Rules and Odds: Banker, Player and Tie Bets
Baccarat is one of the simplest casino games — and one with a clear mathematical lesson about the tie bet.
Table of contents
Quick answer
In baccarat you bet on the Banker hand, the Player hand or a Tie. With standard rules and a 5% commission on Banker wins, the house edge is about 1.06% on Banker and 1.24% on Player. The Tie bet, usually paying 8:1, carries an edge of around 14.4%.
How a hand works
Two hands — Player and Banker — receive two or three cards according to fixed rules. The total closest to 9 wins. You only choose what to bet on.
Source: Standard 8-deck rules, 5% Banker commission, Tie pays 8:1.
The lesson of the tie
A big payout is not the same as a good bet. The tie pays 8:1 but happens far less often than that price implies.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there commission on Banker?
The Banker hand wins slightly more often, so a 5% commission keeps the house edge in place.
Is the tie bet worth it?
Mathematically it is the worst bet at the table.
Sources & references
- BeGambleAware www.begambleaware.org
- National Council on Problem Gambling www.ncpgambling.org
We check every figure against the source listed. Spotted an error? Request a correction.
Related topics
