Baccarat looks intimidating because of its reputation as a high-roller game, but the rules are actually simpler than blackjack. Two hands are dealt — Player and Banker — and you simply bet on which will total closer to 9.
How Hands Are Scored
Cards 2 through 9 are face value, 10s and face cards count as zero, and Aces count as 1. If a total goes above 9, only the last digit counts — a hand of 8 and 7 (15) becomes a 5.
The Three Bets
Banker bet: pays even money minus a 5% commission, and has the lowest house edge on the table at roughly 1.06%. Player bet: pays even money with a house edge around 1.24%. Tie bet: pays 8 to 1 but carries a house edge above 14% — it’s a sucker bet best avoided.
Where to Play
Most NJ online casinos offer baccarat in both RNG and live dealer formats, often under names like “Speed Baccarat” for a faster-paced version. Stick to Banker bets for the best long-term odds.
