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Baccarat may look atas at first, but the truth? It’s one of the simplest games you’ll find at any online casino in Singapore. You don’t need to memorise dozens of rules or make split-second decisions. All you do is place a bet, then watch the cards play out. That’s it.
If you're new to baccarat or just want to refresh your basics, this guide will help you get up to speed—fast. Once you're done, you can move on to explore deeper tactics or even try out different versions of the game.
Rules, Odds & How Player, Banker, and Tie Bets Work
Let’s start with the basics.
In baccarat, the goal is to bet on which hand—Player or Banker—will finish with a total closest to 9. You can also bet on a Tie, but we’ll talk more about that in a moment.
There’s no need to make decisions during the game. You’re not hitting, folding, or calling anything. The only thing you control is where you place your bet before the cards are dealt.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the three main bets:
Banker: The most popular option, and for good reason. It wins slightly more often than the Player hand, thanks to how third-card rules work. Most seasoned players go with Banker for its lower house edge.
Player: Pays 1:1 and offers decent odds. It's a solid choice for those who prefer to avoid Banker’s 5% commission.
Tie: Pays 8:1, which sounds tempting—but it rarely hits. Only around 9.5% of rounds end in a Tie. High risk, high reward.
Here's a quick glance at the numbers:
Bet Type | Payout | House Edge | Win Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
Banker | 0.95:1 | 1.06% | ~45.86% |
Player | 1:1 | 1.24% | ~44.62% |
Tie | 8:1 | 14.36% | ~9.52% |
If you want to go beyond the basics, there are also side bets and more advanced wagers. You’ll find those covered in our Baccarat strategy guide and Baccarat variants article. For now, the three core bets are more than enough to get started.
Card Values and Scoring System Explained
This is where baccarat really shows off its simplicity. You don’t need to calculate complicated hands or worry about tricky rules. The entire scoring system runs on one principle: get as close to 9 as possible.
Let’s break down how the cards work:
Cards 2 to 9 keep their face value.
10, Jack, Queen, and King are all worth zero.
An Ace is worth 1.
So if you get a 5 and a 3, that’s 8. If you get a 7 and a 9, that adds up to 16—but in baccarat, we only take the last digit, so the hand counts as 6.
That’s why the best possible hand is a natural 9, and the second-best is a natural 8. When either hand gets a natural, the round often ends right there—just two cards.
This scoring style is one reason why baccarat is so popular with SG players. There’s nothing to memorise, no running calculations. You just bet and watch. And when that 8 hits? That’s not just a strong hand—it’s a lucky number that many of us already associate with wealth and good fortune. If you’re chasing prosperity, there’s no better number to root for.
Table Layout and Game Flow
Baccarat is a game that may seem very intimidating when you first lay your eyes on the table, but do not fret. After knowing where to put your chips and the entrapment of the game, everything becomes second nature.
What You’ll See on the Table
Most online baccarat tables are divided into three main zones:
Player
Banker
Tie
You simply place your chips in one of these betting areas before the round begins. In some versions, you’ll also see optional side bets like Player Pair or Banker Pair, but for beginners, the main three are more than enough.
Online baccarat games often come with slick, themed visuals. You’ll notice plenty of red and gold designs—popular colours tied to wealth and luck in Chinese culture. Some tables even feature koi fish motifs or other familiar icons that make the experience feel a little more “home-grown.”
How Each Round Plays Out
Here’s how a typical hand unfolds:
Place Your Bet – Choose Banker, Player, or Tie before the timer runs out.
Cards Are Dealt – Two cards go to the Banker, two to the Player.
Third Card Rule – A third card may be dealt to either hand, depending on the total score.
Winning Hand is Declared – Whichever hand is closest to 9 wins. If it’s a Tie, only Tie bets pay out.
The third card rule is something players often stress over, but don’t sweat it—it’s all handled by the system. You don’t need to decide anything. The game follows set rules based on the first two cards, and the draw happens automatically if needed.
That smooth flow is one reason why baccarat remains a favourite across Singapore. No distractions, no hard decisions—just pure anticipation and clean gameplay from start to finish.
Want to try your hand at different versions that tweak these rules slightly? Check out our picks for top-rated baccarat casinos in Singapore and explore your options.