Baccarat Game Rules

Baccarat is one of the most respected and widely enjoyed casino games in the world. The game, which has origins in Italy, was originally one reserved for royalty and higher-members of society. Now, it is widely available and can be found at many top online casinos. Of course, if you want to know how to play baccarat, then you are going to need to understand its rules.

Baccarat Rules Explained

One of the reasons for baccarat’s enduring popularity is that it is a really simple game to play. Unlike any other games, there is nothing overly complex about the game. In a standard round, players will have three betting options: dealer’s hand, player’s hand, or tie. All you need to learn, then, is the card values and how any third-bet rules might work. In this guide, we are going to break all of this down for you in detail.

Best Casino Sites to Play Baccarat

Baccarat can be found at a wide selection of top online casinos in the UK. The following are some of Gambling Zone’s picks for the best casinos to play baccarat online.

Gambling Zone Exclusive

Genting Casino

9.4 / 10
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18+. BeGambleAware.org. Automatically credited upon deposit. Cancellation can be requested. First Deposit Only. Min. deposit: £10. Max. Bonus £150. WR of 30x Deposit Plus Bonus amount (Slots count 100% and any other game 10%) within 30 days. Spin Game: Big Bass Bonanza. WR 60x spins winning amount (only slots count) within 30 days. Spin value: £0.10. Max bet is 10% (min £0.10) of the Bonus amount or £5 (lowest amount applies). Bonus must be claimed before using deposited funds. Bonuses do not prevent withdrawing deposit balance. First Deposit/Welcome Bonus can only be claimed once every 72 hours across all Casinos. Bonus Policy applies.

Lord Ping

8.7 / 10
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18+. BeGambleAware.org. Automatically credited upon deposit. Cancellation can be requested. First Deposit Only. Min. deposit: £10, max. Bonus £50. WR of 30x Deposit Plus Bonus amount (Slots count 100% and any other game 10%) within 30 days. Max bet is 10% (min £0.10) of the Bonus amount or £5 (lowest amount applies).Bonus must be claimed before using deposited funds. Bonuses do not prevent withdrawing deposit balance. First Deposit/Welcome Bonus can only be claimed once every 72 hours across all Casinos. Bonus Policy applies.

Grosvenor Casino

9.1 / 10
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New Players
Deposit £20
Play with £50

18+. BeGambleAware.org. New Customers Only. Min deposit £20 (Excl Paypal). Max Bonus £30, Bonus Amount Non-withdrawable, Playable on selected games only. 30X wagering For £30 Bonus. Expires within 30 Days. Max Win £2,000. T&Cs apply.
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Prime Casino

9.1 / 10
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Welcome Offer
100% up to £150
+ 55 Spins on Starburst

18+. BeGambleAware.org. Automatically credited upon deposit. Cancellation can be requested. First Deposit Only. Min. deposit: £10. Max Bonus £150. WR of 30x Deposit Plus Bonus amount (Slots count 100% and any other game 10%) within 30 days. Spins Game: Starburst. WR 60x free spin winnings amount (only Slots count) within 30 days. Spin value: £0.10. Max bet is 10% (min £0.10) of the Bonus amount or £5 (lowest amount applies).Bonus must be claimed before using deposited funds. Bonuses do not prevent withdrawing deposit balance. First Deposit Bonus can only be claimed once every 72 hours across all Casinos. Bonus Policy applies.

All British Casino

8.8 / 10
All British Casino logo

New Customer Offer
100% up to £100
+ 10% Cashback

18+. BeGambleAware.org. New customers only, min deposit £20, wagering 35x, max bet £5 with bonus funds. Max bonus is 100% up to £100. No max cash out on deposit offers. Welcome bonus excluded for players depositing with Skrill or Neteller. Cashback is cash with no restriction. Full T&Cs apply.

Rules in the 3 Types of Baccarat

When you are playing baccarat, you may hear it referred to in three different terms: Mini, Midi, and Full-Size. Let’s take a look at the subtle differences between the three and how it impacts the rules.

Mini Baccarat

In Mini Baccarat, the dealer is in charge, turning over all of the game’s cards. This makes for a much faster-paced game and is great for players who want their baccarat action to come thick and fast.

Midi Baccarat

Midi Baccarat is played in the same way as Mini Baccarat, with the key difference being a bigger table. This allows for more players to get involved with the game.

Full-Size Baccarat

Full-Size Baccarat follows all of the traditional rules of the game. Players can bet on either of the two hands winning or a tie, and they are able to turn over some of the cards, unlike in Mini Baccarat.

Third Card Rule in Baccarat

The most complicated rule in baccarat, regardless of which version is being played, is the third card rule. In a traditional game, players get dealt two cards and must reach or get as close to nine as possible. In certain circumstances, a third card can be dealt, and this is where some players may get confused. Let’s take a look at those circumstances and how they differ between the dealer and the player.

Player’s Third Card Rules

For players, if their hand is less than or equal to five, they draw a third card. If the player does not draw a third card, the banker will stand on six or more. If a player gets an eight or a nine on their first hand, they do not draw any more, and the hand is called a Natural.

Banker’s Third Card Rules

The rules can be more complex for bankers. The only time they will always draw is if their hand is one or two. Their hand value and whether they draw will then depend on the player’s hand. Let’s take a look at a table to help understand how this works.

Banker’s handDraw if a player’s third card is:Does not draw if a player’s third card is:
31, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 08
42, 3, 4, 5, 6, 71, 8, 9, 0
54, 5, 6, 71, 2, 3, 8, 9, 0
66, 71, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 0

If the banker’s hand is a seven, they will always stand, and if it is an eight or a nine, then it is a Natural.

The House Edge in Baccarat

The low house edge in Baccarat is one of the other reasons the game has remained so popular throughout the centuries. The house edge in the game can be as low as 1.06%, with players able to use some baccarat strategies and tips to help swing the game a little in their favour and minimise potential losses.

Baccarat Table

The baccarat table is always an exciting thing to be a part of. If players are going to play at a physical casino, then there are certain rules and pieces of etiquette players should be conscious of. These do not necessarily apply in the same way if you are playing baccarat online

Superstition, rightfully or wrongfully, plays a big part in the casino world, and at some tables, you will not encounter the number 13. In some Asian casinos, the number four may also be absent for similar reasons. 

Players are often welcome to watch baccarat taking place and will sometimes be invited to play by a dealer. One important rule is that players should not touch chips once the round has started, as is the place with most popular casino games. 

The dealer will typically work around the table with the lowest number first, though they may go with the highest wager. The game uses between six and eight decks, which is also true when playing online.

Baccarat Table Layout

Let’s have a more detailed look at how the baccarat table is laid out in the three main versions of the game.

Mini Baccarat Table

Mini Baccarat TableMini Baccarat Tables tend to feature fewer players, with the dealer handling all of the cards and keeping the game moving fast. This version of the game is most popular in Asia. The table typically has space for six to seven players.

Midi Baccarat Table

Midi Baccarat TableThis sits between the mini and full-size baccarat tables. Typically, these will have slightly higher betting limits than mini-baccarat and are able to accommodate more players. During the game, players are able to handle the card.

Full Size Baccarat Table

Full Size Baccarat TableFull-size baccarat is, as its name suggests, the biggest of the three baccarat tables. It can accommodate up to 14 players and is usually featured on the main casino floors. There are usually two dealers and a caller at these tables.

Online Baccarat Table

Online Baccarat TableOnline baccarat tables are much easier to understand than physical ones. There is a space where you, as the player, can join and play as and when you need. When you play, we recommend checking the paytable to make sure you know the betting limits and the game rules.

Baccarat Rules FAQs

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