How to Play Baccarat

Baccarat Table Betting

Baccarat remains mysterious to many players; but once you know the basics, it’s essentially a simple game. The game’s object is to get as close as possible to 9 in your hand in two or three cards. Only three bets are possible, and wins and losses are settled as soon as each hand is completed.

Baccarat differs from other games in the values assigned to each of the cards. The face cards (King, Queen, and Jack) and 10’s are worth zero (0). Aces are worth 1. All other cards are worth their face value, regardless of suit. So, the 4 of clubs is worth 4; the 9 of hearts is worth 9.

Two hands are dealt in this game: your hand and the banker’s hand. Another difference between this baccarat and other card games is that you can bet on the banker’s hand to beat your own. A bit like laying a horse in normal betting, You can bet your hand to lose.

The Rules

Both the player and the banker draw two cards.

If either draw a total of 8 or 9, both stand. This is automatic; no exceptions are allowed.

If the player has a total of 6 or 7, the player stands. If the banker has a total of under 5 when the player stands, the banker hits.

If the player has a hand worth 5 or less, the player must hit. The banker deals the player a third card.

If the player is dealt a third card, the banker’s actions depend on the total of the banker’s hand:

• When the banker’s total is 0, 1, or 2, the banker must draw a third card.
• When the banker’s total is 3, the banker draws unless the player’s third card is an 8.
• When the banker’s total is 4, the banker draws if the player’s third card is between 2 and 7.
• When the banker’s total is 5, the banker draws if the player’s third card is between 4 and 7.
• When the banker’s total is 6, the banker draws if the player’s third card is a 6 or 7.
• When the banker’s total is 7, the banker must stand.

After the cards have been dealt according to the above rules, the hand with its total closest to 9 wins. If either hand has a total of 8 or 9, it’s a “natural” and automatically wins - unless both hands are naturals, and the hands tie.

The rules above might make the game seem more complicated than it really is. An easy way of learning more about it is to download software from any casino on this site, and then make full use of the “free play” option. Practice until the game becomes familiar. That’s why casinos make this software available, to let you try out the game until you're ready to bet your cash on it.

Baccarat Tips | Baccarat Strategy | History of Baccarat | How to play baccarat