As in traditional Baccarat, Mini-Baccarat involves just a few decisions, how much you want to bet and whether to bet on the Bank, the Player, Tie or the Pairs Wager. In betting on the bank, the casino will collect 5% commission charge on money won. The commission is paid at the end of play or at the conclusion of each shoe. On select EZ Baccarat™ Mini-Baccarat games, the 5% commission will not be charged on winning Bank hands, instead a winning 3-card Bank hand that totals 7 will be a push.

Players may place a Pairs Wager by placing a wager on one or both of two designated betting areas on the table layout. These betting areas are identified as “Player Pair” and “Banker Pair” and are located on either side of the betting area for the “Tie Hand.” A winning Pairs Wager pays 11 to 1. A winning tie bet pays 8 to 1. In the event of a tie, a commission free game is offered and the wager on the Bank bet loses 25% of their bet.

Here are ten facts to increase your chances at winning:

1. In Mini-Baccarat, eight decks of cards are used and just as in Baccarat, the cards are shuffled and placed in the shoe
2. All cards in Mini-Baccarat are typically dealt by the Dealer, however in some cases, when the “Macau” version of the game is dealt, cards may be, at times, handled by the players
3. After announcing “no more bets,” the game starts with four cards dealt from the shoe, forming two hands, one called the Player’s hand, the other the Banker’s hand
4. The initial four cards are dealt alternately from the shoe. The first and the third cards dealt are for the Player’s hand. The second and fourth cards dealt are the Banker’s hand.
5. The cards are dealt according to fixed rules.
6. There are no options regarding drawing the third card for either Player’s or Banker’s hand.
7. No more than one additional card will be drawn to each hand.
8. The hand closest to 9 wins and shall be paid at odds of 1 to 1.
9. If both the Player’s and Banker’s hands result in identical totals, the tie bet wins, but the Player’s and Banker’s hands neither win nor lose.
10. All cards count as face value. Ace equals one. Deuce is two. All tens and face cards, or any combination of them, have no value. So; 9 + 5 = 4. Jack + 1 = 1.

Click here for the official rules

Information courtesy of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa