10 Ways to Look Like a Pro at the Baccarat Table

The popularity of baccarat is currently at an all-time high. The excellent game has already replaced blackjack as the number one game in the gambling capital of the world, Macao.

The trend has made it across the Pacific, and many Las Vegas casinos are making room for added baccarat tables.

Some of you may be unfamiliar with the surprisingly simplistic game. And I have great news for you and anybody else who may be on the fence about baccarat.

Here are 10 ways to look like a pro at the baccarat table. These hacks will have you rubbing elbows with some of the most exciting people and lowest house edges in the casino.

1 – Be Friendly

Anytime you’re in the casino, you should be courteous and mindful of your fellow gamblers.

Players are typically seated at a baccarat table, so there’s a bit of a built-in buffer zone between yourself and fellow gamblers.

Still, you should always be sure to respect other casino guests’ and casino employees’ personal space. 

Smokers can get a bad rap in the casino because a lot of players aren’t smokers, and it can be somewhat of a nuisance. It’s well within your rights to smoke in most areas of the casino, and I would never want to infringe on that.

However, you should still be conscious of your surroundings. Instead of blowing the smoke to the side where it may affect other players, try blowing your smoke straight up.

It will then be far less likely to interfere with your fellow players.


Most importantly, treat the other players in the same friendly manner you’d want to be treated. You never know when the person seated next to you or the dealer may have valuable information regarding the game.

Acting entitled won’t make you appealing to your fellow gamblers or casino staff.

2 – Know When to Jump in

Baccarat games move incredibly efficiently, but a hand will occasionally take longer. You don’t want to slow down the game or interrupt a hand trying to buy in.

In fact, I suggest you wait until the current hand is entirely finished before you take a seat. Doing so will allow the dealer and players to focus on the hand being played completely free from the added distraction of you making yourself at home.

Sometimes, the dealer or a player may invite you to have a seat during the middle of a game. In this instance, you should take your seat and quietly observe the action.

I assure you that the dealer will get straight to exchanging your cash for chips. By allowing the dealer to steer the game, you’ll appear confident and relaxed.

3 – Familiarize Yourself With the Game

This is a no-brainer. Before you even step a single foot into the casino to play baccarat, you should learn everything you can about the game.

Baccarat is a straightforward game of chance. One of the aspects of baccarat that appeal the most to the whales is the element of luck.

You could quickly learn the ins and outs of baccarat in under an hour. Still, you’ll need to practice in order to become intimately familiar with the gameplay.

For many of you, that means you’ll need to play baccarat online for free or download an app to your smartphone or tablet. There aren’t many better ways to learn a game than by playing it for hours.

However, be sure to check the table rules where you’ll be playing and do your best to mimic those in the virtual game.

Many casinos will also offer beginner classes for table games, baccarat included. You could use this free casino service to test the waters, but you’ll be wasting your precious casino time.

4 – Avoid Looking at the Previous Results

Look, it’s human nature to look for patterns where they don’t exist. The casinos understand this tiny bit of human psychology, so they put scoreboards on some table games.

Casino games like baccarat are entirely random. This randomness means there’s nothing for the casino to lose by prominently displaying previous hands’ results.

The casino has much to gain through this clever little trick. You see, our brains are hardwired to find order in the chaos.

So, when our brains see a string of consecutive wins or a pattern seemingly emerge, we instinctively bet based on the perceived pattern.


You’ll be best served to completely ignore the scoreboard. Trust me, this small step will pay huge dividends in the long term.

5 – Dress to Impress

Not to be a snob here, but you’re going to want to dress the part. You won’t look like much of a pro if you show up to the baccarat table wearing cargo shorts and a tank top.

Hey, hey, don’t get offended; you’re the one trying to pose as a baccarat pro…

Look, how you present yourself is going to go a long way in how others perceive you. Dressing sharp will instantly put you in the class of avid baccarat players that frequent many casino floors.

When you look good, you’ll inherently feel good. This will lead to more confident decision-making, which will ultimately make you look like a pro.

Dressing to impress is the easiest step you can take towards looking at home when playing baccarat.

6 – Place Your Bets

Placing your bets at the baccarat table is a relatively straightforward process. 

However, there are two fundamental rules you should be sure to follow religiously.

The first rule you’ll want to make sure to follow is waiting for the dealer to call for bets. Never place your chips in the game until after the dealer announces the stakes to the table.

You should stack your wager neatly and place it in the appropriate betting circle. Once the bet has been placed, you should avoid touching the chips until the hand is completed.

That brings us to rule number two. Never touch your chips during a hand; wait until the hand is done and winning bets have been paid.

7 – Don’t Start Grabbing Cards

Never assume that you can start touching the cards. Table rules vary significantly. While most tables prohibit players from touching the cards at all, others allow for handling under certain circumstances.

You’ll almost never have a decent reason to touch the cards at the baccarat table. So, in most cases, it’s best to simply allow the dealer to do their job.

The autopilot nature of baccarat is a massive draw for many players. Seeming too eager can be a dead giveaway that you’re no pro.

8 – Keep Your Wits About You

Anytime you’re trying to put your best foot forward playing in the casino, you must maintain a certain decorum. 

That will include keeping your wits about you. The casino will continue to feed you complimentary alcoholic drinks while you are playing.

It’s easy to slide down this slippery slope and wind up slightly intoxicated. Most players can enjoy the free drinks and not have an embarrassing incident on the casino floor.

However, even if the player is on their best behavior, the alcohol can lead to some poor gameplay. Keep the free drinks to a minimum, and you’ll be well on your way to looking like a pro at the baccarat table.

9 – Find the Best Table

Finding the best baccarat table in the casino is easier said than done. There are a ton of variable factors that you’ll need to consider before settling on a table.

The most common baccarat tables on the casino are mini-baccarat. Also referred to as midi baccarat, these games are played on a table similar to blackjack tables.

For the best gaming experience, you should look for traditional baccarat tables. Why does this make a difference?

Because on traditional baccarat tables, the players get the opportunity to deal with the game. You can imagine the time difference between having Tom from Fort Smith, AR deal a hand versus a trained baccarat dealer.

Baccarat moves at a breakneck pace. By slowing the game down, you’ll effectively extend your bankroll.

You may have a hard time finding a traditional table at the lower limits. So, you’ll need to weigh how the larger bet size formulates with, the fewer hands.

Be sure you never overextend or expose your bankroll.

10 – Bet the Banker

This key to looking like a pro is a no-brainer. So, I’ll keep it short and sweet.

Always bet on the banker in baccarat. The house edge on the banker bet is just a hair over 1%, making it one of the best bets in the casino.

The casino does charge a 5% commission on all winning banker bets. Still, it remains a better value than betting on the player.

Bet the banker, and you’ll look like a pro at the baccarat table.

Conclusion

These 10 ways to look like a pro at the baccarat table will significantly enhance your overall experience in the casino.

The most important key to playing any casino game is to remember to enjoy yourself. Regardless of whether or not you look like a pro, having a blast is going to be of paramount importance.