How to Play Baccarat

In the game of Baccarat, there are two hands dealt – one is termed the "banker" hand and the other is the "player" hand. Each hand holds either two or three cards. The winning hand is determined by checking to see which hand has a value that is closest to 9.

The following rules are applied in determining the value of the hand –

Any ten or cards with a picture such as a jack, queen, or king, are given the value of ‘0’. Aces have a value of ‘1’. The other cards, or 2 through 9, are given their face value.

To calculate the total value of a hand you sum up the value of the cards, whether two or three are being played. If the total of the hand exceeds 9, then 10 is subtracted from it.

Here are some examples:

• A hand with a 3 and a 4 is valued at 7.
• A hand with an ace, a jack and a six is valued at 7.
• A hand with a jack and a queen has a value of 0.
• A hand with a 5 and a 6 is valued at 1.
• A hand with a 3 and two 2’s is valued at 7.
• A hand with a 5 a 3, and a 6 is valued at 4.

Bets are placed before the hand is dealt and there are generally three options available:

1. You can bet on the hand of the Player. The payout on this bet is 1 to 1, meaning that a $25 bet for example, would pay back the original $25 plus a second $25. The edge that the casino has for that type of bet is approximately 1.3%.
2. you can bet on the Banker’s hand. The payout on this bet is 1 to 1, meaning that a $25 bet for example, would pay back the original $25 plus a second $25, less a 5% commission. On this betting option the casino holds an edge of about 1%.
3. You can bet that the Player and the Bank tie, or a tie hand. The odds on winning this bet are 8 to 1. For example, a $25 bet on this hand winning would return $225. The edge held by the casino on this hand is about 15%.

In reality when you are playing Baccarat the only decision that you are required to make is how to place your bet before the cards are dealt. The remainder of play goes according to set rules.

After all bets have been made, four cards are dealt face down. Two are dealt to the player hand and two to the banker’s hand. As regards the drawing of an additional card, the following rules apply:

• If one or both of the hands have a value equal to 8 or 9 then both hands stand (a third card is not drawn).
• If the player’s hand comes to 6 or 7, then the player is required to stand.
• If the player stands, then the banker must take a card if her total is 5 or less.
• If the player’s hand is equal to 5 or less, the player automatically draws a card.

Assuming that the player draws a third card. Now the following rules apply to the banker’s drawing of a third card:

• If the total value of the banker’s hand is 0, 1 or 2 then the banker must draw a third card.
• If the total value of the banker’s hand is 3, then the banker must draw a third card only in the case where the value of the player's third card is not 8.
• If the total value of the banker’s hand is four, he/she must draw a third card but only in the case where the player’s third card’s value is a 2 or a 3 or a 4 or a 5 or a 6 or a 7.
• If the total value of the banker’s hand is 5, then the banker must draw a third card only in the case where the value of the player's third card is not a 4 or a 5 or a 6 or a 7.
• If the total value of the banker’s hand is 6, then the banker must draw a third card only in the case where the value of the player's third card is is a 6 or a 7