The aim of baccarat is quite simple: predict which of two hands – player or banker – will have the best score, or whether it will end in a tie. The optimum score is 9.
Typically, baccarat uses six or eight decks of cards which are dealt from a shoe. Before the cards are dealt, you need to place your bet accordingly – Player, Banker, Tie. Each player and the banker are dealt two cards each, face up. The next actions depend on the result of the deal.
As already mentioned in How to Play Baccarat Online, the value of the hand cannot exceed 9, so only the last digit in a score counts. Cards are worth their face value, Ace is 1, six equals 6, with the exception of 10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings, which are 0.
The cards are added up to see what the hands’ results are. For example, K + 8 = 8; 7+5 =12, so the score is 2 (the first number being ignored).
The Third Card Rule
If neither of the hands dealt total 8 or 9, then a third card will be dealt. There is a table of rules around when a third card is dealt to either the player or the banker.
Player’s Rule
If the player’s hand has a value of 5 or less, then a third card is dealt to the player. This will then be their final hand.
If the initial total was 6 or 7, they stand; in other words do not take any more action.
Banker’s Rule
If the player stood (did not take a third card), then the banker follows the same rules as the player; i.e. the banker draws a third card if their hand totals 5 or less.
However, if the player drew a third card, then it is a little more complicated.
- If the banker total is 2 or less, they draw a third card regardless of what the player’s third card is.
- If the banker total is 3, they draw a third card unless the player’s third card is an 8.
- If the banker total is 4, they draw a third card if the player’s third card is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.
- If the banker total is 5, they draw a third card if the player’s third card is 4, 5, 6, or 7.
- If the banker total is 6, they draw a third card if the player’s third card is a 6 or 7.
- If the banker total is 7, they stand.
Stand: Doesn’t take another card.
Hit: Takes a third card.
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