Playing the game
To start to play baccarat
both player and banker are dealt two cards face down and the
next move depends on the cards in the hands.
If the player or banker has a card total of 8 or 9, he turns
the cards over immediately. The other must do so also. (In
web based baccarat cards are always face up) A 9 value wins
over any lesser total, and if neither player has a 9 then 8
wins over any lesser total. Tied 9s or tied 8s are a stand
off; no money changes hands. (Unless the other players
around the table can bet ties)
If neither player nor banker has a natural (a total of 8 or
9) then play goes to the player. The player stands (does not
draw) on a total of 6 or 7, but if the player has a total of
5 or less he must draw one card (face up).
Now it is the bankers' turn. With a total of 7, he stands.
With a total of 6 or less, his selection depends on the
value of his two card total and the value of the card that
the player drew. The rules are as follows:
Baccarat rules
The next tables sum up the rules for the player and the dealer:
| Player Rules | |
|---|---|
| Card | Action |
| 10, J, Q, K | Draw card |
| 1 | Draw card |
| 2 | Draw card |
| 3 | Draw card |
| 4 | Draw card |
| 5 | Draw card |
| 6 | Stand |
| 7 | Stand |
| 8 | Turn Cards Over |
| 9 | Turn Cards Over |
| Dealer Rules | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card | Draws When Giving | Does Not Draw When Giving |
| 10, J, Q, K | Draw card | Draw card |
| 1 | Draw card | Draw card |
| 2 | Draw card | Draw card |
| 3 | 0 (10, J, Q, K) - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 9 | 8 |
| 4 | 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 | 0 (10, J, Q, K)-1-8-9 |
| 5 | 4-5-6-7 | 0 (10, J, Q, K)-1-2-3-8-9 |
| 6 | 6-7 | 0 (10, J, Q, K)-1-2-3-4-5-8-9 |
| 7 | Stand | Stand |
| 8 | Turn Cards Over | Turn Cards Over |
Baccarat betting
Baccarat has quite
reasonable odds for the player. On player bets the house has
a small edge, to balance this the house takes a commission
(usually 5 percent) on winning bank bets. Bets are made
before any cards have been dealt. The banker plays against
only one player at a time, but any or all the other players
can bet on the hand.
Up to 12 or 14 players can sit around the baccarat kidney
shaped table depending on its size. Three dealers, called
croupiers, run the game; one handles the cards, while the
other two handle the wagers and the commission that is paid
on winning bank bets. Although where the players sit is not
important, bets must be made in a marked area on the table
that corresponds to the players seat. Players can bet three
different ways: on the bank, on the player's hand, or for a
tie. It is very common to see players switch from betting on
the bank to betting on the player's hand and vice versa.
Betting for a tie while having a larger payoff is not
usually smart; it is considered one of the worst wagers in
the casino. A bet is made by placing money on the table in
your marked area on the wagered spot. For example if you are
player number 5 and wish to bet on the bank you place the
desired wager amount on the table layout place for player
number 5 marked bank.