🎰 Baccarat Advisor

How Baccarat Works

The Goal

Get a hand total as close to 9 as possible. You bet on either the Banker, Player, or Tie before cards are dealt. You're NOT playing against the house — you're predicting which hand wins.

Card Values

• A = 1
• 2–9 = face value
• 10, J, Q, K = 0
• Only the last digit of the total counts. So 7 + 8 = 15 → 5

Natural Win

If either hand totals 8 or 9 on the first two cards, it's a "natural" — no more cards are drawn. Highest natural wins. Two naturals of the same value = tie.

Player's Third Card Rule

• Player total 0–5: draws a third card
• Player total 6–7: stands
• Player total 8–9: natural (stands)

Banker's Third Card Rule

The banker's draw depends on their total AND the player's third card:

Banker Total	Draws when Player's 3rd card is	Stands when
0–2	Always draws	—
3	0–7, 9 (NOT 8)	Player's 3rd = 8
4	2–7	0, 1, 8, 9
5	4–7	0–3, 8, 9
6	6–7	0–5, 8, 9
7	Stands	Always
8–9	Natural (stands)	Always

If the Player stood (didn't draw), Banker draws on 0–5 and stands on 6–9.

Payouts

• Player bet wins: pays 1:1
• Banker bet wins: pays 1:1 minus 5% commission (so 0.95:1)
• Tie bet wins: pays 8:1 (some tables 9:1)

Strategy — What to ALWAYS Do

• Always bet Banker — it has the lowest house edge at 1.06%
• Player is second best at 1.24% house edge
• NEVER bet Tie — 14.36% house edge, it's a sucker bet
• There is no strategy to change the outcome — the draw rules are fixed
• Card counting in baccarat gives a very tiny edge (< 0.2%) — not worth it compared to blackjack
• Pattern tracking doesn't predict future hands, but it helps you notice trends and manage bets

The Real Edge: Bet Sizing

Since the game is nearly 50/50, your best strategy is flat betting (same amount every hand) on Banker. If you see a long streak, ride it. Don't chase losses. Set a win limit and a loss limit before you start.