Baccarat Game

Table Layout

The standard, full-size baccarat table is as large as the table used for craps but here, up to 14 gamblers can participate. There are also mini and midi tables but we will not be looking at these in this guide. The table has an oval shape and is covered in green or blue felt where the betting layout can be seen. It is quite simple with clearly separated sections for the “Player”, “Banker” and the “Tie” bets.

The game is usually managed by up to three casino employees and players take turns to deal the cards from the shoe. Players are allowed to skip their turn as dealers if they wish to. This applies only for the baccarat games in brick-and-mortar casinos, of course. When playing online baccarat, players simply have the three betting options while the cards are being dealt automatically.

Valuation of Hands

When comparing the two hands in each coup, we use the sum of the value of the three cards that are being dealt to the Player and the Banker. The term Player here refers simply to one of the hands; it is not identical to the gambler who plays the game. So, how do we value the cards in baccarat?

Cards from 2s through 9s count as their face value, while cards from 10s through Kings count as zero. The Aces are counted as 1. The total value of the hand, however, cannot be higher than 9, which is why their value will be equal to the rightmost digit of the sum of the cards. For example, a hand comprising of 5 and 8 is counted as 3 because this is the rightmost digit in their sum, 13. If the hand is 5-King-8, this is also 3 because the King counts as 0. Hands valued as 8 or 9 are known as naturals.

Rules of Play

The game starts when casino patrons make one of three possible bets. Then, two cards are being dealt to each of the Player and the Banker, starting with the Player. A third card may be dealt, depending on the specific rules of the baccarat variation. If any of the two hands totals 8 or 9, it is considered a natural and both the Player and the Banker stand, i.e. they can no longer draw cards from the shoe.

Up to three cards can be dealt to each hand and once both are standing, their totals are compared. The greater total value wins. If they have the same values, this is a tie and those who placed the Player and the Banker bets have their stakes returned to them, while those who placed the Tie bet win the coup and receive a payout of 8:1.

Third Card Rules

There are several basic rules that say when to draw a third card and when to stand. First of all, the Player hand takes a third card when it has a value of 5 or less. When the Player stands after two cards and the Banker has a total of 5 or less, it receives a third card. If any of them, however, have 8 or 9, both hands automatically stand.

Things become a bit more complicated for the Banker when the Players receives a third card – several conditions would determine whether the Banker also takes one more card. If the Banker has 2 or less, a third card is always dealt. If the Banker hand total is 3, it takes a third card unless the Player’s third card is 8. If it is 4, a third card is drawn if the Player’s final card is between 2 and 7. If it is 5, the third card is drawn if the Player’s third card is 4, 5, 6, or 7. When the Banker has 6, it takes another card if the Player has 6 for 7. If the Banker has 7, it always stands.

Chemin de Fer

This is the most popular version of baccarat in France and in it, one of the players on the table is the Banker while everyone else is considered a “punter”. The game uses 6 decks and is usually found only in land-based casinos. Here, gamblers can decide whether to take a third card or not instead of being forced to do so by the rules.

Punto Banco

Punto Banco or Player Banker is the game, which has become a standard in most casinos across North America, in Macau, the United Kingdom, Australia, and much of Europe. Usually, this version of baccarat is played with 6 or 8 decks and all card drawing moves are determined by the rules. In other words, the gameplay is automatic and independent of player decisions.

Baccarat Banque

This variation is similar to Chemin de Fer – players take turns to be the Banker and are free to decide whether to take a third card or not. There are several slight differences between the two games, however, and the most prominent one is that in Baccarat Banque, the Banker position is more permanent.

European Baccarat

European Baccarat is quite similar to Punto Banco but players can choose whether to draw another card or stand on 5. The Banker hand is financed by the casino and those who play that hand can also choose to draw a third card.

Mini Baccarat

Mini Baccarat is typically played under the Punto Banco rules but with two main differences – the baccarat table here is smaller with up to 7 seats and the betting limits are much more modest. This low-stakes game of baccarat is particularly popular among Asian gamblers and in online casinos.