How to Play Baccarat

Mastering the Baccarat Rules and Gameplay

If you are interested in baccarat but know nothing about its rules or gameplay, you can become an expert by the end of this article. The reason so many players enjoy the card game is its simplicity, allowing anyone to grasp the rules of baccarat after just a few rounds of watching other players bet. Nevertheless, there are a few specific features of the game that you should become familiar with before you play baccarat.

Depending on where you play—at a land-based casino or an online venue—the baccarat table may look different. Playing at a brick-and-mortar casino can be slightly different, as virtual baccarat tables have more compact designs and fewer actors involved in the game. While baccarat is a luck-based game, you should learn bankroll management to ensure longer betting sessions. In this article, we cover the basics of the game as well as tips you can follow to make your baccarat experience more rewarding and fun.

Table Layout

The Fundamentals

The Role of the Banker

Gaming Process

Cards Value

Naturals

The Third-Card Rule

Conclusion

Table Layout & Bet Types

In many land-based casinos, baccarat tables can be found in a separate section, conveniently designed to provide players with the needed privacy, or in the area where the rest of the table games are positioned. They can be easily distinguished as they resemble the shape of an hourglass. Each one of them has a middle area from which two dealers bank the game while the caller directs the gameplay. The caller is the person responsible for dealing the cards, whereas the dealers manage the bets on their respective sides of the table.

The caller also collects the commission from players who have joined the baccarat game. As the caller carefully follows the action, it is their job to announce when there is a hit or a stand. The caller is also the dealer who announces the winner of every gaming session.

In addition to the caller, the big baccarat table also has two house dealers on each side. They help the players on their respective sides by handling their bets. As in other casino table games, the dealers on baccarat tables are switched by other croupiers every few minutes.

Baccarat tables vary depending on the version of the game you play and the casino offering it. Seating capacity also differs from one table to another, but most baccarat tables offer 14 spots for players. It is worth noting that every table has 15 seats; however, the number 13 is omitted because it is considered unlucky. Once seated, players will find in front of them an area for placing bets, conveniently separated into three sections.

There are three available betting options from which they can choose: “Player”, “Banker”, and “Tie”. Every bet has a different house edge and therefore gives players higher or lower chances of winning. Besides operating the game and managing the bets, the dealers are also responsible for keeping track of the commission that every player needs to pay. Usually, at the center of the baccarat table, there are commission boxes specially designed for this purpose.

The commissions are handled only by the caller, with every player who places their money on “Banker” owing the house a commission of 5%. Both “Banker” and “Player” bets pay out even money to those who have bet correctly. However, players who wager on the “Banker” side will also need to pay the aforementioned commission whenever they win.

The Fundamentals

Baccarat is a card game whose basic rules are moderately easy to comprehend, which makes it suitable for all types of players. It can be played with six or eight decks, which are placed in a box called a ‘shoe’. The rules are automatic, meaning that the dealer operates the game without needing to consult the players. In brief, players choose one of the three available betting options and then wait for the two hands on the player and bank sides to be dealt. The highest possible total in baccarat is 9, and thus the winning hand is the one closest to this number.

The cards in the deck are shuffled together, and a cut card is placed before the seventh-to-last card of the deck. This is known as cutting the deck, and drawing the cut card indicates the shoe’s final coup (round of play). The dealer then burns the first face-up card and discards as many cards as the value of the burnt card.

For every coup, the dealer hands out two face-up cards to each side of the table, starting from the player’s side. If either hand reaches a total of 8 or 9, the coup is finished and the caller announces the result. If neither side has reached that total, the drawing rules are applied to determine whether the dealer should draw a third card for the player. Then, depending on the value of the drawn card, drawing rules are applied again to decide whether the dealer should hand out a third card to the bank.

Some variations of baccarat may have players handling the cards instead of the dealer. In Chemin de Fer, a faster version of baccarat, one of the players is designated as the banker and will also deal the cards. The rest of the players who have joined the table are the “punters” playing against the banker.

In every gaming round, a different player becomes the banker, with the position shifting counterclockwise. Once bets are made, the banker deals four cards face-down—two for themselves and two for the punters. The player with the highest wager, or the first one in play, acts as a representative of the punters and checks their two cards. The banker also checks their cards. If either side has a total of 8 or 9, this is announced and the cards are revealed.

If neither side has 8 or 9, the player may choose to accept or refuse a third card, which is dealt face-up. Then it is the banker’s turn to decide whether to draw a third card. Once all decisions are made, both sides reveal their cards and the result of the game is announced.

Baccarat Table Variations

When you set foot inside a land-based casino, you may come across several different variants of baccarat tables. Although the rules of the game remain the same, playing at a larger or smaller table may change the way bets are placed.

If you learn to differentiate baccarat tables by their size, you will have no problem playing the game as soon as you spot it at any brick-and-mortar casino. Online variations of baccarat may also feature tables of different sizes, so it is always useful to know how to place your bets.

Full-Size Baccarat

Big baccarat tables are typically present in brick-and-mortar casinos that welcome many players and can cater to a large number of baccarat fans simultaneously. Usually, big baccarat tables have several dealers who handle the bets.

There are several specific characteristics of the big baccarat table’s layout:

• Big tables accept between 12 and 14 players at the same time
• Full-size baccarat tables are found in secluded areas on the casino floor, as they are typically dedicated to high rollers
• The big baccarat table requires three different dealers to conduct the gameplay (one caller and two house dealers)
• Since big baccarat tables cater to high rollers, the betting limits are typically higher
• The two house dealers stand on both ends of the table, assisting the players on their respective sides

Midi-Baccarat

The midi-baccarat table has a similar layout and playing rules to the full-sized one, but it is smaller. There are, however, some specific features of midi-baccarat that help players differentiate between the various versions of the game.

• Midi-baccarat tables accept only 9 players at a time
• In midi-baccarat, players are allowed to handle their cards
• The betting limits are lower compared to big baccarat tables

Mini Baccarat

Big baccarat tables are typical for land-based casinos, and most of the time such tables are suitable only for high rollers. Meanwhile, those who would like to enjoy the game but make more reasonable bets can try their luck at Mini Baccarat. Typically, online variations of baccarat also use the Mini Baccarat layout, as there is no need for a huge table when each player is playing on their own.

While the rules of the game are essentially the same, there are a few specific features of Mini Baccarat that will help you spot such tables at land-based casinos.

• Mini Baccarat tables can be joined by only 7 players at the same time
• Betting limits are significantly lower
• The Mini Baccarat table is much smaller than the full-sized one
• Players are not allowed to handle cards

The Role of the Banker

In Punto Banco, the role of the banker is performed by the participants, as all of them take turns dealing the cards. Usually, the first player to become the banker sits at the first position on the table. The role of the banker is passed to the next player from right to left, and their turn ends when they lose a hand. It is also possible to decline the role, in which case the next player automatically becomes the banker. Another important point regarding the banker’s position is that the player has the same betting options as the rest of the participants; however, it is customary for them to place their wager on the ‘Banker’ section.

Gaming Process

As already mentioned, the three possible bets are: “Player” (Punto), “Banker” (Banco), and the rarely considered “Tie” (Standoff). After players have chosen and placed one of the three bets, their role is complete and there are no further decisions to make. It is worth noting that the ‘Player’ bet should be viewed as an independent wager. The same goes for the ‘Banker’ bet, as it does not belong to the casino. To clarify this matter further, let’s look at the gaming process and the rules behind it.

In baccarat, regardless of the number of participants, only two hands are dealt, each consisting of two cards. The game follows this sequence – first, players make their wager, and then the banker deals two face-down cards. The caller passes the hand to the player who has placed the highest bet on the ‘Player’ section. That player looks at the two cards before giving them back to the banker.

If none of the participants has placed such a bet, the role is taken by the caller. After the cards are dealt, the player’s hand is revealed first, followed by the banker’s hand. These actions are followed by announcing the totals, after which the dealer may request a third card. Players should bear in mind that the third-card rule can vary depending on the casino and the version. If the total happens to be 8 or 9, no more cards are dealt, as the hand results in an instant win. The final stage of the game is the payout, which is handled by the dealers.

Baccarat History

Baccarat House Edge

Baccarat Bet Types

Strategy for Baccarat

Assigned Value of the Cards

Like many other card games, Baccarat assigns each card a particular point value, and in this case, the card suits are irrelevant. This is one of the most important rules in the game, and as such, players should learn it to play correctly. Compared to other card games, the assigned values in Baccarat are moderately easy to remember, which makes the game much more straightforward. The assigned value of each card is as follows:

• The cards from 2 to 9 are counted at face value
• Aces are worth 1 point
• 10s and face cards (Jack, King, Queen) are valued at 0

Every combination of two cards that reaches or exceeds the value of ten has to be adjusted. In such cases, players remove the first digit of the total, as the highest value in the game is 9. For instance, if the two cards are 8 and 5, their total is 13. Therefore, the first digit—one in this case—should be removed, resulting in a three-point hand. Following the same logic, if the total of both cards is 14, the hand will have a value of 4, as the amount exceeds 10 and the first digit has to be omitted.

Naturals

A hand whose first two cards have a value of 8 or 9 is considered a ‘natural’, meaning that it automatically wins and no more cards are dealt. If both the banker and the player have a natural, the hand with the higher value wins.

The Third-card Rule

If neither the player nor the banker has a natural, a third card can be dealt. Usually, both the player and the banker have the chance to receive a third card; however, it is also possible that only one of them takes advantage of this option. When it comes to the third-card rule, it is worth mentioning that it can differ from one casino to another. Even though it is automatically applied, it is highly advisable to get acquainted with it, as even the smallest changes to the rules can influence the players’ odds. The maximum number of cards a particular hand can have is three, and the minimum is two.

As previously indicated, the caller is responsible for various tasks, including helping players with the third-card rule and guiding them through the entire gaming process. In most casinos, if the player has a value of 5 or less, they draw another card. If the player’s hand totals 6 or 7, they must stand. It is also possible to decline the draw, in which case the banker’s hand stands on 6 or more and takes a third card only if its total is 5 or less. However, if the player decides to draw a third card, the following rules, determining whether the banker must draw a third card, apply:

• If the banker has a total of 2 or less – another card is drawn for the bank regardless of the player’s third card.
• If the banker has a total of 3 – another card is drawn for the bank, except when the player’s third card is 8.
• If the banker has a total of 4 – another card is drawn for the bank, unless the player’s third card is 0, 1, 8, or 9.
• If the banker has a total of 5 – another card is drawn for the bank, unless the player’s third card is 4, 5, 6, or 7.
• If the banker has a total of 6 – another card is drawn for the bank, except when the player’s third card is 6 or 7.
• If the banker has a total of 7 – the bank is required to stand.

Conclusion

Baccarat is one of the most exciting card games, which is why it can be found in numerous land-based and online casinos. It has never been so easy and accessible to enjoy this game, with players having the opportunity to play baccarat in the comfort of their own homes and still feel the same thrill as if they were in a traditional brick-and-mortar casino. Gamblers all over the world have the chance to familiarize themselves with the game’s moderately easy rules and enjoy it virtually.

This casino game is famous for offering high-limit tables, which greatly attract high rollers worldwide. However, it is now possible to find many variations whose rules are designed to suit all types of players, regardless of their bankroll or betting style. What makes baccarat so enticing is its simple, yet fully sufficient, rules that create a highly entertaining game.