If you’re trying to decide between playing baccarat and blackjack at mBitcasino and want to know how they compare, it’s actually quite simple. Baccarat is easier to pick up, learn and play and has a low house edge of 1.06% if betting on the Banker, while blackjack rewards skilled play with a lower house edge of around 0.5% but takes time to learn how to play effectively.

Therefore, choose blackjack games if you’re willing to put time into learning basic strategy to get the best odds, or choose baccarat if you want a simple, fast-paced game that practically plays itself.

Baccarat vs Blackjack – A Quick Comparison

Both baccarat and blackjack offer better odds than most other casino table games, but the gameplay each offers will appeal to players who prefer a specific style of play.

Feature	Baccarat	Blackjack
House Edge	1.06% (Banker)	Under 0.5% with basic strategy
Best Strategy	Bet on Banker	Using basic blackjack strategy
Skill Required	Not really	Yes to get the lowest house edge
Decisions During Play	Just the main bet	Yes, multiple decisions needed
Beginner Friendly	Excellent	Good with practice
Pace	Fast	Moderate
Top Standard Payout	8:1 (Tie)	3:2 on qualifying tables (Blackjack)
Best For	Casual players	Odds-focused players

How to Play Baccarat

Of the two games, baccarat is the easiest to pick up and play for a beginner. The goal is simple, as you bet on the result of a hand played between the Banker and Player. You can bet on either position to win by having a hand value closest to 9 or on the hand ending in a Tie.

The card values are:

2 – 9 are face value
10s and face cards are valued at 0
Aces are valued at 1

Cards are added together to determine the hand value, but if the value is 10 or more, the first digit is dropped. For example, a 7 and 8 would equal 15 and would therefore have a final hand value of 5.

The rules do go a bit deeper than that, as third card rules apply. So, to find out more, we recommend checking out our How to Play Baccarat guide here.

As for the payouts, these are:

Player: 1:1
Banker: 1:1 minus approximately 5% commission
Tie: typically 8:1

How to Play Blackjack

At its core, blackjack is also fairly simple to play, as the idea is to just beat the dealer by getting a hand value as close to 21 as possible without going over. However, becoming competent at the game requires much more effort, as you’ll need to learn basic strategy to get the lowest house edge.

There’s also a variety of decisions you’ll have to make during a hand. Typically, you can choose from the following actions:

Hit (take another card)
Stand (stick with your current hand total)
Double Down (double your initial bet and receive one last card)
Split (turn your paired hand into two separate hands)
Surrender (if available)

Face cards have a value of 10, the Ace is worth either 1 or 11, and all other cards hold their face value. The hand closest to 21 without going over is the winner, and tied hands result in you receiving half your stake back.

As an expert tip, try to play on a blackjack table that pays 3:2 for a natural blackjack hand, and avoid those that pay 6:5 for a natural blackjack, as the latter significantly increases the house edge and reduces your expected return.

House Edge – Baccarat vs Blackjack

In a straight-up comparison between the two, blackjack outshines baccarat when it comes to house edge, but only if the player uses the correct basic strategy.

If the correct actions are taken at the right times, the house edge of blackjack can be around 0.5% and sometimes even 0.3% on some tables with specific rules, such as having a single-deck in play and the dealer forced to stand on 17.

As for baccarat, while the house edge is lower than many other games, it falls short of properly played blackjack across all bet types:

Baccarat Banker: 1.06%
Baccarat Player: 1.24%
Baccarat Tie: 14.36%

Is Baccarat Harder to Learn Than Blackjack?

No, it’s the other way around. In fact, baccarat is one of the easiest casino table games to play. You don’t even play the hand yourself; instead, you bet on the position you think will win or if the result will be a tie. Then, it’s just waiting to see if you win.

As for blackjack, you’ll need to understand a lot more, such as:

When to hit or stand
When to double down or split
How the dealer’s upcard plays a big part in every decision

Furthermore, as the best odds come by making the optimal decision every time, you’ll also need to understand basic strategy. The ideal decision also changes depending on the number of decks used in the game and the specific table rules in play.

Therefore, if you choose blackjack, we strongly suggest reading our guide on How to Win at Blackjack.

Is It Better for a Beginner to Play Blackjack or Baccarat?

If you’re wondering which is the better game to play as a beginner, the answer will depend on what type of gameplay you want. Baccarat is all about fast rounds that need no real input from the player, while blackjack will tick your boxes if you’re after slower, more strategic action.

What Players Say on Reddit & Quora

The consensus with experienced players across Reddit and Quora is pretty much the same, with most agreeing that blackjack is the better option for serious players willing to learn basic strategy.

However, they do often caveat that claim by stating that most casual players rarely follow basic strategy and literally throw away the theoretical advantage they’d have by doing so.

That issue is not possible in Baccarat as the house edge is fixed and players have no actual input into a hand. Therefore, many agree that baccarat is probably the best option for beginners looking to pick up a new casino table game to play.

Which Is More Fun to Play?

What is fun to different players is subjective, so which you will enjoy the most will usually come down to your preferred style of play.

As there is more to do during a hand of blackjack and your decisions impact your odds, it’s not difficult to see why many are attracted to blackjack. Playing live blackjack, in particular, is great fun due to the action playing out in real time with a professional dealer.

On the other hand, baccarat will appeal to players who want faster rounds, fewer decisions to make and less complex rules.

Play Baccarat & Blackjack at mBitcasino

Whether it’s the best mathematical odds or the simplest game to learn, you’ll find both in abundance at mBitcasino.

If it’s strategy and decision-making that appeals the most, we recommend starting with blackjack. On the other hand, if you’d rather a simpler experience involving low-effort gameplay, then you should try playing online baccarat with Bitcoin.

Whichever you opt for, just remember to play responsibly and within a budget you can afford to lose.

FAQ

Does baccarat have the best odds in a casino?

No, while baccarat does have some of the best odds, especially the low 1.06% house edge when betting on the Banker, they’re not quite the best. These are found in blackjack when using basic strategy, where it’s possible to play with a house edge of between 0.3 and 0.5%.

Is baccarat more profitable than blackjack?

Not usually. Due to its lower house edge and higher long-term expected return, blackjack is typically more profitable when played with basic strategy. Having said that, baccarat is easier to play, and its odds are not too far from blackjack’s.

What makes blackjack better than baccarat?

Blackjack isn’t necessarily better, but it’s a game that rewards skill. By making the right decisions, it’s possible to reduce the house edge to 0.5% or lower. While baccarat is easier to learn and play, there is no way to improve the house edge through your gameplay.

Is it better for a beginner to play blackjack or baccarat?

Baccarat is probably the better of the two games for beginners. It is easy to learn and requires virtually no strategy aside from avoiding the Tie bet and betting responsibly. Blackjack is arguably the better long-term option, though, as it offers a lower house edge once you’ve mastered basic strategy.