Table & Live Games
How to Play Baccarat: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Baccarat is the most popular live casino game in Malaysia. The rules look complicated at first, but the dealer does all the work. Here is exactly what happens in each round.
The goal
Two hands are dealt: Player and Banker. The names are just labels; you do not play as either. You bet on which hand will finish with a total closer to 9, or on a Tie. You make no decisions after placing your bet.
Card values
| Cards | Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 |
| 2 to 9 | Face value |
| 10, J, Q, K | 0 |
Only the last digit of a total counts. For example, 7 + 8 = 15, which counts as 5. The highest possible total is 9.
How a round is dealt
- Two cards each
Player and Banker receive two cards each.
- Check for a natural
If either hand totals 8 or 9, it is a "natural" and both hands stand. The round ends.
- Player's third card
With 0–5, Player draws a third card. With 6 or 7, Player stands.
- Banker's third card
Banker follows the rule below, which depends on Player's third card.
The Banker third-card rule
If Player stood with two cards, Banker draws on 0–5 and stands on 6–7. If Player drew a third card, Banker acts as follows:
| Banker total | Banker draws when Player's third card is | Banker stands when Player's third card is |
|---|---|---|
| 0, 1, 2 | Any card | — |
| 3 | Anything except 8 | 8 |
| 4 | 2 to 7 | 0, 1, 8, 9 |
| 5 | 4 to 7 | 0 to 3, 8, 9 |
| 6 | 6 or 7 | Anything else |
| 7 | — | Always stands |
You do not need to memorise this; the dealer applies it automatically. Knowing it simply helps you follow the game.
Main bets and payouts
| Bet | Usual payout | Approx. house edge |
|---|---|---|
| Player | 1:1 | about 1.24% |
| Banker | 1:1 minus 5% commission | about 1.06% |
| Tie | 8:1 (some tables pay 9:1) | about 14.4% at 8:1 |
On a tie, Player and Banker bets are usually returned (a "push"). Some tables use a no-commission version where Banker pays 1:1 but a Banker win on a total of 6 pays only half. Check the table rules for the version you are playing.
Sensible baccarat habits
Baccarat rounds are quick, so set a time limit as well as a money limit. Avoid betting systems that increase your stake after losses. And remember that the scoreboards on screen record the past; they do not predict the next hand. Our guide to baccarat roadmaps explains how to read them without being misled.