No-Commission Baccarat and EZ Baccarat both remove the normal 5% Banker commission, but they usually replace it in different ways. Common no-commission or Super 6-style baccarat half-pays Banker wins with 6. EZ Baccarat usually pushes Banker wins with a three-card 7. Same promise, different rule, different math.
Quick Facts
- Both formats remove routine 5% Banker commission.
- No-commission / Super 6-style baccarat commonly pays Banker wins with 6 at half.
- EZ Baccarat commonly pushes Banker wins with a three-card 7.
- The two games should not be treated as the same variant.
- Side bets may use names that make the confusion worse.
- The layout, not the marketing name, controls the real rule.
- Main-bet house edge depends on the exact replacement rule.
Plain Talk
The phrase “no commission” tells you only what the table removed. It does not tell you what the table added.
Classic baccarat charges commission on winning Banker bets because Banker wins slightly more often than Player. If the casino removes that commission and keeps paying every Banker win at even money, the player would get a favorable game. Casinos do not offer that as the standard product. They replace the commission with a special payout rule.
The common split is simple:
| Variant label | Common replacement rule |
|---|---|
| No-Commission Baccarat / Super 6-style | Banker win with 6 pays half |
| EZ Baccarat | Banker win with three-card 7 pushes |
The Wizard of Odds commission-free baccarat appendix describes a commission-free version where Banker wins on 6 pay 1 to 2. The Wizard of Odds EZ Baccarat page describes the Dragon 7 push structure. California’s EZ Baccarat rules also define the Dragon 7 side bet around a three-card winning Bank hand totaling 7.
This page is about the comparison. For the standalone rules, read no-commission baccarat, Super 6 Baccarat, and EZ Baccarat.
How It Works
The base baccarat deal is the same in both games. Banker and Player receive cards according to automatic drawing rules. Naturals stop the hand. The player does not make drawing decisions.
The difference appears when the dealer settles winning Banker bets.
| Situation | Standard commission baccarat | Banker 6 half-pay no-commission | EZ Baccarat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banker wins with 5 | Pays 0.95:1 | Pays 1:1 | Pays 1:1 |
| Banker wins with 6 | Pays 0.95:1 | Pays 0.5:1 | Pays 1:1 unless three-card 7 rule irrelevant |
| Banker wins with three-card 7 | Pays 0.95:1 | Pays 1:1 if not Banker 6 | Push |
| Player wins | Banker loses | Banker loses | Banker loses |
| Tie | Banker/Player push | Banker/Player push | Banker/Player push |
The danger phrase: “no commission”
“No commission” sounds like a rule. It is really a label. You still need the table rule.
Ask one question before betting Banker:
What happens when Banker wins with 6 or with a three-card 7?
That answer tells you what game you are actually playing.
Baccarat Table Example
You are looking at two baccarat tables with the same $50 minimum.
| Table | Posted rule | $50 Banker result |
|---|---|---|
| Table A | Banker wins with 6 pay 1:2 | Banker 6 win pays $25 |
| Table B | Banker three-card 7 pushes | Dragon 7 result pays $0 and returns stake |
| Table C | Standard 5% commission | Banker win pays $47.50 profit |
Now imagine you move from Table A to Table B without reading the felt. On Table A, Banker 6 is the trap result. On Table B, Dragon 7 is the trap result. A player who calls both games “no commission” can easily complain about a correct payout.
From the Casino Side:
Casinos like no-commission baccarat because it speeds up the table. Standard commission creates chip-handling, rounding, marker tracking, and arguments. Removing commission reduces friction.
But the replacement rule creates its own control point.
On a Banker 6 half-pay table, the floor watches whether the dealer pays half instead of full. On an EZ Baccarat table, the floor watches whether Dragon 7 is correctly pushed. Surveillance checks card count, final total, number of cards, and exact payout.
Training matters because both games look nearly identical during the deal. The wrong payout happens at the end, usually when the table is excited and players are already reaching for chips.
Common Mistakes
- Treating all no-commission games as EZ Baccarat.
- Treating all EZ Baccarat as Super 6.
- Looking only at the words on the table sign.
- Forgetting that side-bet names can duplicate main-game names.
- Assuming “no commission” is automatically better than standard baccarat.
- Ignoring whether the rule applies to Banker 6 or Banker three-card 7.
- Comparing payouts without comparing house edge.
Hard Truth
No commission is not a discount. It is a trade. The casino removes one visible charge and writes the cost into a specific Banker result.
FAQ
Are No-Commission Baccarat and EZ Baccarat the same game?
No. EZ Baccarat is one type of commission-free baccarat, but many no-commission games use a different Banker 6 half-pay rule.
Which rule does Super 6 usually use?
Super 6-style baccarat commonly pays Banker wins with a total of 6 at half instead of full.
Which rule does EZ Baccarat usually use?
EZ Baccarat commonly pushes Banker wins with a three-card total of 7.
Does no commission mean better odds?
Not automatically. The replacement rule may make the game similar to, better than, or worse than standard baccarat depending on exact pricing.
How do I know which version I am playing?
Read the payout box on the layout. Look for “Banker 6 pays 1/2” or “Banker three-card 7 pushes.”
Do Player and Tie bets change too?
Often they remain similar to standard baccarat, but always check the layout and posted rules.
Which version should a beginner choose?
Choose the table whose rules you understand. If you cannot explain the special Banker result, do not sit down yet.
Deeper Insight
Commission is not just a math feature. It is an operational feature.
Standard commission baccarat tells the truth every time Banker wins: the casino takes a visible slice. No-commission baccarat hides the slice inside outcomes. The table feels cleaner, but the game is not suddenly player-favorable.
EZ Baccarat is often easier for dealers because there is no commission tracking. But it requires disciplined recognition of Dragon 7. Banker 6 half-pay baccarat is also easier than commission baccarat, but it requires strict half-pay discipline.
From the player’s side, the danger is language. Players often say, “I play no commission,” without knowing whether they mean Banker 6 half-pay or Dragon 7 push. That is like saying “I play blackjack” without knowing whether blackjack pays 3:2 or 6:5.
The name is not enough. The payout is the game.
Formula / Calculation
Expected Loss = Total Amount Wagered × House Edge
Compare two $2,000 Banker sessions:
| Game type | Approx. Banker house edge | Expected loss on $2,000 action |
|---|---|---|
| Standard commission baccarat | 1.06% | $21.20 |
| EZ Baccarat Banker | about 1.02% | $20.40 |
| Common Banker 6 half-pay version | about 1.46% | $29.20 |
House Edge = -Player EV / Initial Stake
Formula Explanation in Plain English
The table with the lowest house edge costs less over the long run, but all three examples still have a casino edge. No-commission wording does not matter by itself. The replacement rule decides the cost.
Related Reading
Use the baccarat guide as the course hub. For the base numbers, read baccarat odds and baccarat house edge. Then compare standard commission baccarat, no-commission baccarat, Super 6 Baccarat, and EZ Baccarat. To test your table rule, use the house edge calculator or expected loss calculator.