This is an educational guide to how casino games work. House edge and payout figures are typical values and vary by game, rules and operator. No casino game can be beaten in the long run — play for entertainment, never as a way to make money, and only stake what you can afford to lose.
What Is the Banker Commission in Baccarat?
New baccarat players are often surprised that winning Banker bets pay slightly less than even money. That’s the commission — and there’s a good reason for it. Here’s how it works.
Why it exists
The Banker bet wins a little more often than the Player bet, thanks to baccarat’s drawing rules. To stop the Banker being a guaranteed edge for players, casinos take a 5% commission on Banker wins. So a winning £10 Banker bet returns £9.50 profit.
Still the best bet
Even after the commission, the Banker has the lowest house edge in the game — about 1.06%, versus around 1.24% for the Player. So it remains the smart main bet.
Commission-free baccarat
Some tables advertise “commission-free” baccarat. There’s no free lunch, though — they adjust certain payouts (often paying less on a winning Banker 6) to compensate, so check the rules. See how to play baccarat, a natural in baccarat and what the house edge is.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there a commission on Banker bets?
Because the Banker bet wins slightly more often, casinos take a 5% commission on Banker wins to keep their edge.
Is the Banker still the best bet?
Yes — even after commission, the Banker has the lowest house edge at about 1.06%.
What is commission-free baccarat?
A version with no commission, but it adjusts certain payouts to compensate — check the rules.
Related guides: how to play baccarat, a natural in baccarat and what the house edge is.