Baccarat is the easiest casino game to learn — and also one of the most elegant. Popularised by James Bond, it draws beginners and high rollers alike. Unlike blackjack, you make no strategic decisions about the cards: you simply bet on the winner.
In this guide, we explain everything a beginner needs to know to play baccarat on Slott, Celsius and RingoSpin.
1. The rules in 3 minutes
Baccarat pits two hands against each other: the Player and the Banker. Your goal: bet on whichever gets closest to 9 points.
Here's how it unfolds:
- You bet — On Player, Banker or Tie.
- Dealing — 2 cards for the Player, 2 cards for the Banker.
- Possible draw — A 3rd card may be drawn according to fixed rules (see below).
- Result — The hand closest to 9 wins.
On Celsius, Evolution Gaming's live baccarat offers stakes from €1. Slott offers Speed Baccarat (27-second rounds). RingoSpin has VIP tables up to €10,000 per hand.
2. How to bet at baccarat
Three betting options:
- Player — You bet the Player hand will win.
- Banker — You bet the Banker hand will win.
- Tie — You bet both hands will score the same.
3. Third-card drawing rules
Don't worry — the dealer handles everything automatically. But understanding the rules helps you follow the game:
- Score of 8 or 9 ("Natural") — No extra card. The hand wins immediately.
- Score of 0 to 5 — A 3rd card is drawn for the Player.
- Score of 6 or 7 — Player stands. Banker draws based on its own hand and the Player's 3rd card.
The Banker's rules are more complex but fully automated online.
4. Odds and house edge
Baccarat offers one of the lowest house edges in the casino:
| Bet | Win probability | Payout | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banker | 45.86% | 0.95:1 (5% commission) | 1.06% |
| Player | 44.62% | 1:1 | 1.24% |
| Tie | 9.52% | 8:1 or 9:1 | 14.36% |
Always bet on the Banker. It's the only bet in the casino with a house edge under 1.1%. The Tie is a trap — 14.36% house edge is worse than most slot machines.
5. Basic strategy
Baccarat is a game of pure chance — no decision can influence the outcome. But you can optimise your expectation:
- Always bet on the Banker — Even with the 5% commission, it's the best mathematical option.
- Avoid the Tie — The 8:1 payout looks tempting, but it's the worst bet in the casino.
- Don't switch bets — "Systems" (following trends) don't work. Every hand is independent.
- Set a target — +50% bankroll = stop. -50% = stop too.
The "hot shoe" myth
Some players track results and bet on "trends". That's the gambler's fallacy — every hand is independent. Baccarat has no memory.
6. Managing your bankroll
Baccarat is fast. A round lasts 30–60 seconds. So you could play 100 hands in an hour. Golden rules:
- Max stake 2% of your bankroll — With €100, don't play more than €2 per hand.
- Max 1h session — The fast pace is tiring and can lead to loss of control.
- Never double after a loss — "Chasing" is fatal at baccarat.
7. Where to play baccarat online?
All our partner casinos offer excellent tables:
- Slott — Speed Baccarat (27s/round), stakes €1–€5,000, RTP 98.94%
- Celsius — Live Baccarat by Evolution Gaming, stakes €1–€2,500
- RingoSpin — RNG + live Baccarat, stakes €0.50–€10,000, VIP tables
🎰 Ready to try the Banker?
Play live baccarat with stakes from €0.50. Welcome bonus on every casino.
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