Baccarat Game Rules

how to play baccarat

baccarat rules

Baccarat is seen as the game of choice for high rollers and is often in a VIP section of the casino or in a baccarat 'pit'. This is because it has the one of the lowest house edges of any game in the casino - only 1.06%. Its also a game where very little skill is required

The aim of baccarat is to bet on who is going to get nearer to 9 on a 2 card deal. You can bet on either the 'banker' or the 'player'. You also have the option to bet on a 'tie' (ie both the 'player' and 'banker's' hand are the same) . You can bet on a combination of these bets.

In baccarat, all tens and picture cards are worth zero and aces are worth 1. If the value of the 2 cards exceeds 9, the value is adjusted by subtracting 10 from the total. For example, 9 + 4 = 13 - this would become 3. Sometimes, a third card may be dealt - this is subject to the third card rule (this is an automatic process - you don't have to ask for the card) When the 'player' and the banker's hands are equal, there is a 'tie' .

Third Card Rule

After the Player's Hand acts on a third card draw, the Banker's Hand receives a third card according to these rules :

- If the players or the bankers hand equals 8 or 9, they both stand

- If the players hand is less than 5, the player hits

- If the player stands, then the banker must hit on a total of 5 or less

- If the player hits, then the banker will hit or stand according to the following

	Player's Third Card
Banker's Total	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
7	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
6	S	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	S	S
5	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	S	S
4	S	S	H	H	H	H	H	H	S	S
3	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	S	H
2	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
1	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
0	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H

A winning Player hand wager is paid at 1 to 1. A winning Banker hand wager is also paid at 1 to 1 but there is a commission to be paid to the bank. This is determined by the casino - but is never more than 5%. The payout for a 'tie' is also determined by the casino, but are often 7-1 or 8-1.

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