Explained: Baccarat Card Values

By Dan Holmes Casinos.US Writer Updated: 10/30/2024

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Dan Holmes is our ultimate go-to expert when it comes to table games, slots, casino regulations, and legalization. He’s been in the industry for over 30 years, and his skillful insights have built him a strong following on the Internet. Dan’s favorite game is blackjack and loves to analyze and track revenue trends, as well as the tactics of players.

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Baccarat Card Values

Baccarat may seem like a mysterious game to the uninitiated, conjuring up images of tuxedoed players in luxurious casinos. But beneath the glitzy surface, baccarat is one of the simplest games to understand. The heart of the game revolves around its card values, and once you understand those, you’ll be ready to dive in and even play baccarat online with confidence.

This article will break down baccarat card values for you, making it easy to grasp whether you’re sitting at a live table or playing a hand on your phone during a coffee break. We’ll walk through how the cards are valued, what the game is about, and how these values influence your decisions in both traditional and online baccarat.

• What is baccarat?
• Baccarat card values
• Cards worth zero
• Online baccarat values
• Winning at baccarat
• Baccarat odds
• Pronunciation
• Common pitfalls
• Responsible baccarat play

What is Baccarat?

Baccarat (pronounced bah-kah-rah, not back-a-rat, so you can impress the dealer when you step up to the table) is a simple card game often found in both physical and digital casinos. It is thought to have originated in Italy during the 15th century and eventually made its way to France, where it became popular among the aristocracy.

In essence, baccarat is a game where the goal is to bet on which hand—either the Player or the Banker—will get closest to a total of 9. You don’t play against the other players or the dealer, and there’s no fancy strategy involved. It’s all about placing your bets and letting the cards do their work.

You’ll notice that unlike poker or blackjack, where face cards have complex values, baccarat card values are refreshingly straightforward. The game removes the guesswork, letting you focus more on your bets than on complex calculations. Now, let’s review the baccarat card values.

Baccarat Card Values

In baccarat, each card in the deck is assigned a value. And these card values in baccarat are different from what you might expect if you’re used to other card games like blackjack. Here’s how baccarat card values break down:

• Cards 2 through 9 – These cards are worth their face value. So, a 2 is worth 2 points, a 3 is worth 3 points, and so on.
• 10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings – All these cards are worth zero. Yes, zero. In baccarat, a King’s value is the same as a 10 or a Queen—absolutely nothing. This might sound like an insult to royalty, but that’s how the game works.
• Aces – An Ace is worth 1 point.

There’s no worrying about the suits or any additional rules like “Aces can be low or high” as in other games. Simple, right? Now, to make things even easier for you, we’ll give you a few examples of baccarat values and how they actually play out during a hand.

Examples of Baccarat Values

If a Player is dealt a 7 and a 9, you would add them together: 7 + 9 = 16. In baccarat, when the total exceeds 9, you drop the first digit. So, 16 becomes 6. This hand is worth 6 points. If a Banker is dealt a Queen (which is worth zero) and a 5, the hand is worth 5 points.

The highest possible hand in baccarat is 9, and if the Player or Banker is dealt a total of 8 or 9 right off the bat, this is called a “natural,” and the game may end right there with a win, much like getting a 21 in blackjack. If no one has a natural, additional cards may be drawn, but you don’t have to worry about that—you’re not the one dealing.

Baccarat Worth Zero: The Unfortunate Royals

As mentioned earlier, one of the quirkiest things about baccarat is that face cards, normally prestigious in other games, are worth zero in baccarat. A baccarat king value holds no weight, making a King the ultimate underachiever at the baccarat table. It’s a rare moment where royalty doesn’t matter.

The fact that Kings, Queens, Jacks, and 10s are worth zero in baccarat keeps the focus on the numerical cards and adds a layer of simplicity to the game. Instead of worrying about the “power” of face cards, you only need to think in terms of single digits.

Online Baccarat Values

When you play online via your phone, tables, or desktop, the card values in baccarat are the same as in a physical casino. They behave exactly as they do at a traditional table, with no special rules or variations. The online version uses a Random Number Generator (RNG) to shuffle and deal the cards, ensuring a fair game, but the values remain constant.

Popular online casino apps offer baccarat as part of their gaming suites, making it easy to play on the go or from the comfort of your home. With baccarat card values staying the same across all platforms, you don’t need to relearn anything when switching from live to digital play.

Advantages of Online Baccarat

Online gambling sites typically list the baccarat values and basic rules right in the game lobby, so you can quickly get up to speed before placing your bets. You can even practice and sharpen your skills before playing for real money. Here are the main advantages of online baccarat games:

Winning Baccarat: The Math Behind It

Like most casino games, baccarat has a mathematical house edge. However, baccarat is known for having one of the lowest house edges in the casino, making it a great option if you’re looking for better odds. Here’s a quick breakdown of the math:

So, while there’s no surefire strategy to guarantee a win, betting on the Banker gives you the best shot at walking away with more than you came in with. But remember, baccarat is a game of chance, so the cards will fall as they may.

Baccarat Odds in Online Play

When you play baccarat online, the odds and payouts remain the same as they do in a traditional casino. The main difference is that online play tends to be faster, and you can get through many more hands in a shorter period of time.

This can either be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how the cards fall. The same mathematical odds apply to online games. So, whether you’re playing on BetMGM or DraftKings, you can expect the Banker to be the safest bet in the long run.

A Simple Pronunciation Guide

If you’ve ever wondered how to say “baccarat” without getting a side-eye from the dealer, here’s your guide. Baccarat is pronounced bah-kah-rah. The “t” is silent, so don’t emphasize it like you’re ordering a fancy coffee. Now that you know the correct pronunciation, you’re one step closer to blending in with the pros at the table.

Baccarat Worth Zero: Common Pitfalls

One of the most common misunderstandings when playing baccarat for the first time is not fully grasping that face cards and tens are worth zero in baccarat. New players often place undue importance on drawing a King or Queen, only to be disappointed when these high-ranking cards in other games do nothing for their hand. Here are some things to remember:

• Face cards and 10s will do nothing to help you get closer to 9.
• Aces are your friends in this game, as they’re worth 1 point.
• Adding up cards is simple: If your total exceeds 9, just drop the first digit.

Another frequent misconception in baccarat is the belief that the goal is to reach exactly 9 with your cards, similar to blackjack. In reality, the objective is simply to get as close as possible to 9, and exceeding it is not a bust – just a chance to reset your count.

Responsible Baccarat Play

Like any form of gambling, it’s essential to approach baccarat with a sense of responsibility. The simplicity of the game, combined with the fast-paced nature of online platforms, can make it easy to lose track of time or money. Whether you’re at a traditional table or playing baccarat online, the same principles of responsible gaming apply, and we’ve included a few tips below:

• Set a budget – Decide on a limit before you start and stick to it.
• Know when to walk away – Even if you’re on a winning streak, it’s important to take breaks.
• Don’t chase losses – Baccarat is a game of chance, and losses are part of the game. Chasing losses can lead to bigger problems.
• Use casino tools – Many online casinos like FanDuel and Caesars offer tools to set deposit limits or cooling-off periods if you feel you’re playing too much.

Baccarat is a game of elegance and simplicity, both in its gameplay and its card values in baccarat. From the fact that face cards are worth zero in baccarat to the minimal decision-making required, it’s a great option for players who want to enjoy a fast-paced game without needing to master complex strategies.

With the same rules applying whether you play in person or play baccarat online, you can enjoy this classic game from wherever you are. Just remember, the key to enjoying baccarat is understanding the baccarat values and betting wisely. Whether you’re betting on the Banker or the Player, the cards will fall as they may— and you’ll finish as a winner or be forced to try again.