How to Play Baccarat
What is the main objective of Baccarat?
The goal of Baccarat is to predict which of two hands—the Player or the Banker—will get a point value closest to 9. Individuals can also bet that the hand will result in a Tie.
How are the card values and hand totals calculated?
Aces: Worth 1 point.
2 through 9: Worth face value.
10s and face cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings): Worth 0 points.
To calculate the total, the card values are added. If the sum is 10 or more, the first digit is dropped. For example, a hand of 7 and 8 totals 15, which becomes a 5. A hand of King and 9 totals 9.
How is a hand played?
Once bets are placed, the dealer gives two cards to both the Player and the Banker. If either hand totals 8 or 9, it is a "natural" and the game ends immediately. If not, the Player hand acts first, drawing a third card on a total of 0 to 5, and standing on a 6 or 7. The Banker then draws or stands according to a strict mathematical table that factors in the Banker's total and the Player's third card.
What are the different bets, payouts, and odds?
Banker Bet: Typically Pays 0.95:1
Player Bet: Typically Pays 1:1
Tie Bet: Typically pays 8:1.
Why does a winning Banker bet pay less than a Player bet?
The Banker acts after the Player, giving the Banker a positional advantage. Because the Banker's hand knows what the Player drew before acting, it has a higher mathematical probability of winning
Side-Bets
Many Baccarat games offer Side Bets, such as betting on Paired Cards, Suited Cards, or individual point totals. If side bets are offered, these will be detailed in the individual game rules along with their payouts.