Learn to Play Baccarat

Play

• The game involves two hands of cards: The "player's hand" and the "banker's hand." Each hand gets two cards to start the game. Aces count as one, two through nine count for their numerical value and 10s and face cards count as zero. If the cards for either side equal eight or nine (called a baccarat natural), no more cards are drawn. If the player's two cards total anything from zero to five, the player gets another card; the player doesn't get another card when holding a six or seven. If the player didn't get another card. the banker then draws a card on a total of zero to five and stands on a six or seven. If the extra card the player drew is a two or three, the banker draws when holding a total of zero to four. If the player's drawn card is a four or five, he banker draws when holding a five or less. If the player drew a six or seven, the banker draws on a six or less. If the player drew an eight, the banker draws on a two or less. If the player drew a nine, ace or any "zero" card, the banker draws when holding a three or less.
  
  

Winning and Betting

• The winner is the one whose hand is closest to nine. A player/banker who holds more than nine does not automatically lose; however, 10 points are deducted from the total if that happens. Since either side can reach a total of up to 18 with the given values, the total after deduction can be anything from zero to nine. (Since neither side gets an extra card when the first two total eight or more, the only way one can get 17 or 18 is to have the first two equal that). There are no tiebreakers in the game (like the "hard" and "soft" hands of blackjack), so games can end in a tie. Before the deal, any number of people can bet on either the "player's hand" or the "banker's hand" winning (although these are the only two hands in the game), and they can also bet on a tie. Betting on either the player or banker usually pays out 1-to-1, but a player who bets on the banker and wins must then pay a small commission back to the banker (usually 5 percent). Depending on the casino, betting on a tie usually pays out at 8-to-1 or 9-to-1.