The Ultimate Baccarat Strategy Guide: How to Play Smarter at Tachi Palace Casino Resort

Baccarat is one of the world’s most popular card games, and if you’ve ever wondered what baccarat is or how the baccarat game actually works, you’re in the right place. Baccarat is one of the world’s most popular casino games, thanks to its straightforward rules and fast-paced play style. In fact, you might have seen Agent 007 himself play baccarat in one of the early James Bond films or novels. 

Whether you’re a new player or an experienced gambler, the tips in our baccarat strategy guide will give you a boost of confidence in approaching the table. Let’s dive in.

What Is Baccarat? Baccarat Explained

Baccarat is a card game played between two hands, the Banker and the Player, where the goal is simple: predict which hand’s total value will land closest to nine. Unlike blackjack or poker, you’re not playing against the dealer or other guests at the table. You’re wagering on the outcome of a hand that plays out according to a fixed set of rules, which means there’s no decision-making once your bet is placed. The dealer deals the cards, the drawing rules determine whether either hand takes a third card, and the hand closest to nine wins.

That simplicity is part of why baccarat has stayed a casino staple for so long; once you understand the basic hand values and drawing rules below, you can sit down at any baccarat table and follow along immediately.

The Basics: How Do You Play Baccarat?

While there can be as many as 14 players at a baccarat table at any time, the game is straightforward and easy to follow. Your goal as a player is to correctly guess which hand’s total value will be closest to nine before the cards are dealt. 

Here’s how a round normally plays out:

1. All players place bets on one of two hands — the Banker or the Player. Neither hand represents the guest or the house.
2. Once all bets are in, the dealer deals two cards to each hand. 
3. If either hand has a total value of either eight or nine, both hands stand and the round ends. Standing means neither player will draw a further card.
4. If both hands have a value lower than eight or nine, the dealer may call for another card to be drawn by one or both participants.
5. Whichever hand ends up with the highest value at the end of the round wins, and bets are paid out. 

You can also use a baccarat betting strategy to help you maximize your winnings.

Baccarat Rules and Hand Rankings

Every baccarat hand comes down to three things: card values, drawing rules and how the winning hand is determined. Here’s a quick reference for all three.

Card Values

Hand Rankings

Hand totals run from zero to nine. Because the first digit of any two-card total above nine gets dropped (see “How Do You Add a Hand’s Value?” below), nine is always the highest — and best — possible hand, commonly called a “natural nine.” A “natural eight” is the second-best outcome. Any hand of eight or nine automatically stands with no further cards drawn.

Betting Zones

In addition to the Banker and Player betting areas at the table, most baccarat tables also include a Tie betting zone for players who want to wager that both hands will finish with the same total.

Win Conditions

The hand with the total closest to nine wins the round. If both hands finish with the exact same total, it’s a tie, and only Tie bets pay out, Banker and Player bets on a tied hand are pushed (returned to the player) rather than lost.

When Do Participants Draw a Third Card?

Each participant has different rules for when they must draw a third card. The Player only draws a third card if the first two cards’ total is between zero and five, and any combination totaling six or above stands. 

The Banker, on the other hand, must follow more complicated rules. While the Banker always draws if they end up with a two-card total of zero to two, the rules vary as the value increases:

• Three: The Banker draws if the Player’s third card is anything but an eight.
• Four: The Banker draws if the Player’s third card falls between two and seven.
• Five: The Banker draws if the Player’s third card falls between four and seven.
• Six: The Banker can only draw if the Player’s third card is a six or a seven.

The Banker stands at a total of seven. A two-card value of either eight or nine is always a natural stand for both hands.

How Do You Add a Hand’s Value?

To determine the total value of a hand, simply add the values of the two cards together. The values vary by the type of card:

• Numbered cards: All cards numbered two through nine are worth their face value.
• Tens and face cards: Kings, queens, jacks and tens are all worth zero points.
• Aces: All aces equal one point.

To calculate the total, you add together the two cards based on the value scheme above. All totals of nine or lower are valid as is, and play continues if any players need to draw another card.

If the total exceeds nine, the first digit gets dropped. For example, a hand totaling 12 is only worth two points. Unless the other participant has a score higher than six or seven, that hand would need to draw another card.

Who Should You Bet on in Baccarat?

Unlike in other table games, you don’t play against the dealer in baccarat. You bet on the outcome of each draw instead. Your options include:

• The Banker: Because the Banker follows a specific set of rules, they have a slightly higher chance of winning. Betting on this hand is typically the best baccarat strategy for new players.
• The Player: Betting on the Player is slightly riskier than betting on the Banker because there’s more chance involved. However, the Player is more likely to win than a tie.
• Tie: While you can bet that the Banker and Player will have the same value and receive a higher payout, this outcome is rare. 

Baccarat Odds and Payouts

Each of the three baccarat bets pays out differently, and understanding the odds behind each one is part of playing smart:

• Banker bet: Pays 1:1, though most casinos collect a small commission (typically around 5%) on Banker wins, since the Banker hand wins slightly more often than the Player hand over time.
• Player bet: Pays 1:1 with no commission, making it the more straightforward of the two main bets.
• Tie bet: Pays out at a much higher rate, commonly 8:1 or 9:1 depending on the table, but ties are rare, which gives the Tie bet the highest house edge of the three options.

Because the Banker bet wins more often over the long run even after commission, it consistently carries the lowest house edge of the three bets, which is why it’s the option most new players are steered toward. Exact commission rates and tie payouts can vary by table, so it’s always worth checking the felt or asking your dealer to confirm the specific payout structure before you sit down

3 Advanced Baccarat Strategies for Experienced Players

Want to play baccarat like a pro? The three strategies below can help you up your game and make it easier to stay at the table.

1. Paroli

The Paroli strategy involves doubling your bet after each win to capitalize on winning streaks and reduce your overall losses. It’s a good starting strategy for new players because it involves the lowest amount of risk. 

Here’s how it works — if you were to bet $20 on your first round and win, you’d follow that up with a $40 bet on the next round and $80 on the third. After three wins, you return to your original bet of $20 so you can keep going without potentially depleting your bankroll in one loss.

2. Fibonacci

If you remember high school math class, you might recall the famous Fibonacci sequence, where each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers. Similarly, the Fibonacci betting strategy involves adding each of your previous bets together to come up with your next bet.

For example, if you bet $10 on the first round, you’d add 10 and zero to bet $10 on the second round. When the third round comes up, you’d add 10 and 10 to bet $20, and so on. Once you reach a predetermined number, you begin again to avoid going overboard.

3. Martingale

The Martingale strategy is an old, straightforward betting tactic that’s well-known among seasoned gamblers. You double your bet after every loss with the goal of eventually recouping your losses — or even making a profit — with the next win.

Let’s say you start with a $20 bet and lose your first round. You’d then bet $40 on the next round. If you lost that round, you’d bet $80 in the next, and so on.

This strategy works best for disciplined players with a substantial bankroll because it requires the self-control to stick to your original plan after a losing streak. We recommend waiting to try this strategy until you’ve got some real casino experience under your belt.

Where to Play Baccarat at Tachi Palace

Ready to put this baccarat strategy guide to use? You’ll find live baccarat among the table games at Tachi Palace Casino Resort, right alongside our other classic table games. Stop by our table games area on the casino floor, and our dealers can walk you through the current table availability and get you seated for your next hand.

Try New Baccarat Tips and Tricks at Tachi Palace Casino Resort

Now that you’ve had a chance to learn some tips from our casino baccarat strategy guide, why not apply your new knowledge in a real casino setting?

With thrilling table games like baccarat, hundreds of slots and luxurious amenities, Tachi Palace can help you make the most of your casino experience. Melt away your stress at our in-house day spa after a long night of gambling, or take a break from the floor and enjoy our exciting live entertainment options. 

Our palace is your playground. Book your stay today!