Key takeaways
- Blackjack: around 0.5%.
- Baccarat: about 1.06% on banker.
- Cheaper per pound staked: blackjack.
- Cheaper per hour at typical stakes: blackjack.
AnswerBoth are cheap. Blackjack is cheaper with correct play and dearer without it; baccarat costs the same however you play.
Side by side
| Line | Blackjack | Baccarat |
|---|---|---|
| House edge | Around 0.5% | About 1.06% on banker |
| RTP | 99.5% | 98.94% |
| Skill | Yes | No |
| Rounds an hour | About 60 | About 50 |
| Volatility | Low | Low |
| Best bet | A 3 to 2 table, played with basic strategy | Banker, every hand |
| Avoid | Insurance, side bets and 6 to 5 tables | The tie |
| Bonus contribution | 0% to 20% | 0% to 20% |
An hour of each
| Game | Stake | Rounds | Staked | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackjack | £1 | 60 | £60 | £0.3 |
| Baccarat | £1 | 50 | £50 | £0.53 |
Typical stakes and pace. A long-run average.
£100 staked
On blackjack, £100 of stakes costs £0.5 on average. On baccarat, £1.06.
In practice
Think of baccarat as blackjack with the decisions removed and a slightly higher price. If learning basic strategy sounds like a chore, baccarat on banker is the better choice: you will actually achieve its published 1.06%, whereas instinctive blackjack runs nearer 2%.
How they feel
You and the dealer each try to get closer to 21 without going over. It is the one common casino game where your decisions change the price.
Two hands, player and banker, are dealt to fixed rules. You bet on which will finish closer to nine.
Verdict
Choose blackjack if
you enjoy decisions and will follow a chart.
Choose baccarat if
you want low cost with nothing to learn.
Full guides
Blackjack and Baccarat. Any pair: comparison tool.
More comparisons: Slots vs roulette, Slots vs blackjack and Live vs online casino games.
Elsewhere on the site: Casino games of skill, Fairness and RNG, Baccarat rules, Easiest casino games to win and Live baccarat UK.
Both are dealt live at all five casinos by report, so trying each for a few hands at minimum stakes is easy.
House edges and RTPs are standard published figures for common rules, and are long-run averages. Offer terms dated 5 October 2026. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.
Frequently asked questions
Is blackjack or baccarat better?
Both are cheap.
Which has the lower house edge?
Blackjack.
Which is cheaper per hour?
Blackjack, at typical stakes.
Which needs skill?
Blackjack.