Baccarat Rules Guide
Making the Bet
Unlike other games, before the hands are dealt you have a choice of betting on the player’s hand, the banker’s hand, or for a tie to occur. Betting on the player or banker is a 1 to 1 bet. So for example, if you bet $10 on the player’s hand and won, you would get $20 back.However if you bet for a tie to occur and you win, then you will be returned at the rate of 8 to 1. So if you bet $10, you would get paid back $90.
Game Objective
The objective of the game is to have the total values of your cards dealt to be as close to 9 as possible. If your initial two cards that are dealt have a total value greater than 9, then the first digit is dropped. For example, if you are dealt a 4 and a 7, the total is 11 but since you drop the first digit, the value is 1. Cards of value 10, Jack, Queen and King are given a value of 0 and an Ace is valued as 1.
Card Values
| Numbered Cards | Face Value |
|---|---|
| 10, Jack, Queen and King | 0 |
| Ace | 1 |
Playing the Game
Two cards are initially dealt to the banker and player face up. If either has a total value of 8 or 9, it is considered a natural hand and the winner is decided at that point. Having a natural hand of 9 is greater than having 8. If neither parties have a natural hand, a third card is drawn to determine the winner. The rules for who receives a third card are as follows:
- If the player has a total of 6 or 7, he stands and does not receive a third card. Since the player has a total of 5 or less, the banker must hit and receive a third card.
- If the player has a total less than 6, he must hit and receives a third card.
- In the event that the player has received a third card, the banker also receives a third card pending the following:
| If the banker has a total of 2 or less | Banker draws a third card. |
| If the banker has a total of 3 | Banker draws a third card if the player’s third card is anything but an 8. |
| If the banker has a total of 4 | Banker draws a third card if the players third card 2,3,4,5,6 or 7 |
| If the banker has a total of 5 | Banker draws a third card if the player’s third card 4,5,6,7 |
| If the banker has a total of 6 | Banker draws a third card if the player’s third card is 6 or 7. |
| If the banker has a total of 7 | Banker stands and is not drawn a third card |
The side with its total value closest to 9 wins.
