Baccarat is a classic casino card game that’s easy to learn and thrilling to play. Here are the key rules you need to know:
Objective: The goal is to predict the winning hand: either the player’s hand, the banker’s hand, or a tie.
Card Values: Number cards from 2 to 9 are counted at their face value. Cards like 10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are valued at zero. Aces are worth 1 point each.
Calculating Hand Value: To determine a hand’s value, add up the values of all the cards. Should this total be greater than 9, only the last digit of the total is used.
Natural: When the initial two cards dealt to either the Player or Banker add up to either 8 or 9, this is termed a “Natural,” and no further cards are drawn.
Third Card Rule: The rules may require an extra card for the Player or Banker depending on the initial hands.
Player’s Drawing Rules: Players with a hand total between 0 and 5 must take an additional card. If the total is 6 or 7, they do not draw more cards.
Banker’s Drawing Rules: The Banker’s decision to draw a third card depends on their own total and the Player’s third card, if any. If the Player does not draw a third card, the Banker follows a set of predetermined rules.
Standoff / Tie: A tie occurs if both the Player and Banker’s hands have the same total.
Payouts: Bets on the Player winning offer even money (1:1). Bets on the Banker also pay even money but are subject to a 5% commission due to the Banker’s slightly better odds of winning. Winning bets on a tie usually offer payouts of 8:1 or 9:1.
Commission: A 5% fee is charged on winnings from bets placed on the Banker, to account for their statistical advantage.
