Baccarat rules — Banker, Player and Tie explained
Baccarat is a simple card game with three possible bets and one of the lowest house edges in the casino.
Updated: 2026-04-30 · By the CasinoMenu.se editors
Baccarat is arguably the casino game most celebrated by mathematicians. It is simple, fast, and has one of the lowest house edges when you bet Banker. Despite that it is less well known in Sweden than blackjack and roulette. This guide teaches you everything you need to follow along at the table.
The basic idea
Baccarat is not about beating the dealer. You bet which of two hands — Banker or Player — will land closer to 9. You can also bet Tie. Each hand receives two cards, sometimes three. Face cards and tens count as 0. Aces are 1. Other cards count their face value.
If the total is two digits, the tens digit is dropped — 7 + 8 = 15 counts as 5. Fixed drawing rules determine whether a third card is dealt, so you do not have to make decisions. That is why baccarat is extremely beginner-friendly.
The house edge per bet
The Banker bet historically has the lowest house edge — around 1.06% — but the casino takes a 5% commission on wins to offset it. The Player bet has roughly a 1.24% edge. The Tie bet looks tempting at 8:1 but the house edge is a whopping 14.4%. Avoid Tie.
- Banker — house edge 1.06%, 5% commission.
- Player — house edge 1.24%, no commission.
- Tie — pays 8:1, house edge 14.4%.
Side bets and variants
Player Pair, Banker Pair, Big and Small are common side bets. They pay more than the main game but carry a higher house edge. Squeeze Baccarat slows the game with ceremonial reveals. Speed Baccarat deals each round in 27 seconds. Punto Banco is the same game under a different name.
Key takeaways
- Banker has the lowest edge — around 1% after commission.
- Tie looks rich but is the casino's most expensive side bet.
- You never decide whether to draw a third card.
- Speed Baccarat hits 100+ rounds an hour — watch your bankroll.
Frequently asked questions
Does baccarat count toward bonus wagering?
Usually only 10% or less, sometimes excluded entirely. Always read the bonus terms.
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