Baccarat Commission Calculator: The 5% Explained

Banker bets pay 0.95:1 due to a 5% commission on wins—but it's still the best bet at the table. Our calculator shows how commission affects returns and whether commission-free variants offer genuine value.

What Is Baccarat Commission?

Commission is the 5% fee casinos take from winning banker bets. Since banker wins slightly more often than player (50.68% vs 49.32%), casinos charge commission to maintain their edge. Without it, banker would be a player-advantage bet.

Quick Answer: 5% commission on banker wins creates 1.06% house edge (still lowest at table). Player bet has no commission but 1.24% edge. Without commission, banker would return 101.36%! Commission makes banker bet profitable for casino while remaining best choice for players. Commission-free variants add alternate rules that often increase house edge.

How to Use Our Calculator

Use the Baccarat Commission Calculator →

Enter bet amount to see commission impact and true returns.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Bet Amount: Banker wager

2. View Commission Rate: Usually 5%

3. Calculate Net Win: After commission

4. See True Returns: Effective payout

5. Compare Variants: Commission vs no-commission

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Bet Amount	Banker wager	$100
Win Probability	Banker wins	50.68%
Gross Payout	Before commission	$100
Commission (5%)	Casino take	$5
Net Payout	After commission	$95
Effective Odds	True payout	0.95:1
House Edge	Casino advantage	1.06%

Why Commission Exists

Without Commission

Banker win probability: 50.68%
Player win probability: 49.32%
(Tie excluded from these percentages)

Without commission:
$100 bet × 50.68% = $50.68 expected wins
$100 bet × 49.32% = $49.32 expected losses

Net EV = +$1.36 per $100

Player would have 1.36% edge!

With 5% Commission

$100 banker bet:
Win: $95 (after commission)
Lose: $100

EV = ($95 × 50.68%) - ($100 × 49.32%)
EV = $48.15 - $49.32 = -$1.17

House edge: 1.06%
Commission creates house advantage

Commission Mathematics

Standard Calculation

Bet: $100
Banker wins

Gross win: $100
Commission: $100 × 5% = $5
Net win: $95

Effective payout: 0.95:1

Session Tracking

10 banker bets at $100 each:
Wins: 5 (approximately expected)
Losses: 5

Gross winnings: $500
Commission: $500 × 5% = $25
Net winnings: $475

Total losses: $500
Net result: -$25

Reality: Varies with actual win rate

Banker vs Player Comparison

$100 bet comparison:

Banker:
- Wins 50.68%, loses 49.32%
- Net payout: $95 on win
- House edge: 1.06%

Player:
- Wins 49.32%, loses 50.68%
- Net payout: $100 on win
- House edge: 1.24%

Banker still better despite commission

Commission-Free Variants

EZ Baccarat

No commission on banker wins
But: Banker push on specific outcome

"Dragon 7" rule:
Banker wins with 7 using 3 cards = push

Effect on house edge:
Standard baccarat banker: 1.06%
EZ Baccarat banker: 1.02%

Slightly better! But variance different

Super 6 / Punto 2000

No commission normally
But: Banker 6 pays 0.5:1 instead of 1:1

Banker wins with 6: Half payout
Other banker wins: Full payout

House edge: 1.46%
Worse than standard baccarat!

Commission-Free Analysis

Variant comparison:

Standard (5% commission): 1.06%
EZ Baccarat: 1.02%
Super 6: 1.46%
Commission-free (bad): Often 1.46%+

Not all "no commission" is better
Check specific rules carefully

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Session Commission Tracking

Session: 50 banker bets at $50 each

Results:

Wins: 27 (54%)
Losses: 23 (46%)

Gross winnings: 27 × $50 = $1,350
Commission: $1,350 × 5% = $67.50
Net winnings: $1,282.50

Total losses: 23 × $50 = $1,150
Session profit: $132.50

Commission cost: $67.50
Would have won $200 without commission

Example 2: High Roller Commission

Bet: $10,000 on banker

Win scenario:

Gross win: $10,000
Commission: $500
Net win: $9,500

$500 commission on single bet!
High rollers feel commission acutely
Some negotiate lower rates

Example 3: Commission Timing

Casino A: Commission collected each hand Casino B: Commission tracked, collected at leave/change

Effect:

Casino A:
Win $100, receive $95 immediately
Simple, no outstanding balance

Casino B:
Win $100, receive $100
Owe casino $5 (tracked)
Settle on session end

Same math, different cash flow

Example 4: Comparing Variants

Choice: Standard vs EZ Baccarat

Analysis:

Standard baccarat:
100 banker bets × $50 = $5,000 wagered
Expected loss: $5,000 × 1.06% = $53

EZ Baccarat:
100 banker bets × $50 = $5,000 wagered
Expected loss: $5,000 × 1.02% = $51

Savings: $2 per 100 hands
Minor difference, but EZ is slightly better

Commission Collection Methods

Per-Hand Collection

Most common method:
Win banker bet: Dealer takes 5% immediately
Payout is net amount

Advantages:
- No tracking needed
- Clean accounting
- No disputes at end

Running Tally

Alternative method:
Wins tracked on commission box
Full payout given temporarily
Settle before leaving/color change

Advantages:
- More chips in play
- Psychological preference
- Same mathematical result

Negotiated Rates

High rollers may negotiate:
- 4% commission
- 3% commission (rare)
- Comp-based reductions

Effect:
4% commission = 0.60% house edge
3% commission = 0.14% house edge

VIPs get better terms

Common Mistakes

1. Avoiding Banker Due to Commission

Mistake: "I'll play player to avoid the 5%" Problem: Player has higher house edge (1.24%) Fix: Banker is still optimal despite commission

2. Assuming Commission-Free Is Better

Mistake: Choose any "no commission" game Problem: Rules often worse than commission Fix: Compare house edges, not just commission presence

3. Not Tracking Commission Owed

Mistake: Forget owed commission on tally method Problem: Surprise charge when leaving Fix: Track your own commission or prefer per-hand

4. Commission on Ties

Mistake: Think commission applies to tie bets Problem: Only banker WINS pay commission Fix: Understand commission only on banker victories

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is banker still better with commission?

Because banker wins 50.68% vs player's 49.32%. The 5% commission on wins doesn't offset the higher win rate.

Can I negotiate commission?

High rollers sometimes can. Standard players cannot. Ask your host if you're a significant player.

Is commission-free baccarat better?

Depends on the rules. EZ Baccarat (1.02%) is slightly better. Super 6 (1.46%) is worse. Always check specific rules.

When is commission paid?

Per-hand (immediate) or tallied and collected when you leave. Same mathematical impact either way.

Why don't casinos charge commission on player bets?

They don't need to—player already loses more often. Charging commission would make it unprofitable for players.

Is 5% the only commission rate?

Standard is 5%, but some casinos offer 4% as promotion. Very high rollers might negotiate lower. Never pay more than 5%.

Pro Tips

• Banker despite commission: Still best standard bet

• Check variant rules: "No commission" needs scrutiny

• Track your play: Know how much commission you're paying

• Ask about promotions: Some offer reduced commission periods

• VIP negotiation: High volume may earn better rates

Related Calculators

• Baccarat Odds Calculator - All bet analysis
• Baccarat Banker Strategy Calculator - Optimal play
• Baccarat Expected Value Calculator - EV analysis
• House Edge Calculator - Edge comparison
• Gambling Bankroll Calculator - Session sizing

Conclusion

Commission is the casino's mechanism for maintaining edge on banker bets—without it, you'd have an advantage. Our calculator shows exactly how 5% affects returns and why banker remains optimal despite the fee.

Calculate Baccarat Commission Now →

Understanding commission reveals baccarat's elegant design: banker wins more often, commission balances the equation, and players still get the table's best odds. Our calculator quantifies every aspect, from session commission totals to variant comparisons.