Definition
Banker Commission is a 5% fee that players pay to the casino when they win a bet on the “Banker” hand in Baccarat. This fee exists because the Banker hand has a slightly higher chance of winning than the Player hand, and the commission ensures the house keeps a mathematical advantage.
In context
In a standard Baccarat game, if you bet $100 on the Banker and it wins, the dealer won’t give you $100 in profit. Instead, they will pay you $95 and keep $5 as the commission. On some tables, the dealer keeps track of this debt in a small “commission box” and collects the total amount when you leave the table or when the deck (shoe) is finished.
Why it matters
Understanding Banker Commission is the difference between knowing your true odds and being surprised by your payouts. Even with the 5% fee, the Banker bet remains one of the best wagers in the casino with a house edge of only 1.06%, which is much lower than most slot machines or other table games.
Related terms
In detail
The Banker Commission is one of the most misunderstood mechanics in the casino, mostly because it feels like the house is “taxing” a winning bet. To understand why it exists, you have to look at the math of Baccarat. In this game, the Banker hand acts second, which gives it a tiny but significant statistical advantage. Without the commission, the player would actually have an edge over the house by simply betting on Banker every time. The 5% fee turns that player advantage into a house edge of 1.06%.
The Math of the Payout
When you win a bet on the “Player” side, you get paid even money (1 to 1). You bet $10, you win $10. However, the Banker hand wins approximately 50.68% of all non-tie hands. If the casino paid even money on Banker wins without a fee, the house would lose money over the long term. By taking 5%, the house changes the payout from 1:1 to 0.95:1.
If you are playing at a “commission” table, the dealer has to track these nickels and dollars. In a high-limit room, this is usually handled by the dealer placing a small “lammer” or marker in a numbered box that corresponds to your seat. If you win five Banker bets at $100 each, your commission box will show $25. You are expected to pay this before you “color up” and leave the table.
Commission vs. No-Commission Tables
Because calculating and collecting 5% on every hand slows down the game, many casinos have introduced “No-Commission Baccarat” (sometimes called EZ Baccarat or Super 6). In these games, Banker bets pay even money (1:1) most of the time.
However, there is a catch—and this is where the “Truth” in Chips and Truths comes in. In No-Commission games, if the Banker wins with a specific total (usually a 3-card 7 or a total of 6), the bet either “pushes” or only pays 50% (half). While this makes the game faster, it actually increases the house edge. In “Super 6,” for example, the house edge on the Banker bet jumps from 1.06% to 1.46%. The “No Commission” label is a marketing tactic that usually costs the player more money in the long run.
Why Operators Care
For a casino manager, the commission is a double-edged sword. It guarantees the math of the game, but it creates “friction.” Dealers have to be fast at math, and players often forget they owe money at the end of the shoe, which can lead to arguments. This is why you see a massive shift toward digital displays and automated commission tracking.
Strategic Implications
If you are a serious player, you should always look for the 5% commission tables over the “No Commission” variants if you plan to play for a long time. While paying a fee feels worse than getting paid even money, the “hidden tax” on the specific Banker wins in No-Commission games is mathematically more expensive.
Another thing to watch for is the “Minimum Commission.” Some casinos won’t track 50-cent pieces, so if you bet $5 on Banker, they might charge you a full $1 commission, which is effectively a 20% fee. Always bet in increments that allow for an even 5% calculation, or stick to $20 increments to keep the math simple ($1 per $20).