A short introduction to Baccarat
Baccarat (also known as Punto Banco or Chemin De Fer) is actually a very easy and fast game to play. You do not really need to know the rules of the game because, baccarat, unlike blackjack, has no optional draw of cards.
Cards are drawn according to a set of rules and baccarat dealers are the ones who need to be proficient, not you!
The game of Baccarat can be played using either a full-sized table that usually seats 12 – 15 players in an elegant and sophisticated setting, or it can be played on a mini version of the table that can accommodate up to seven seated players.
Layout of a full sized Baccarat table
Typical Mini-Baccarat table
There are three possible betting choices with the respective odds:
| 1. Bet on BANKER: | – a win will pay 1:1 LESS 5% for commission |
| 2. Bet on PLAYER: | – a win will pay 1:1 |
| 3. Bet on TIE: | – a win will pay 8:1 |
Betting on BANKER or PLAYER, the winning hand is determined by the hand with the highest point count after all cards are dealt for the hand.
The minimum point is 0 and the highest point count is 9.
In determining the point count, cards have the following values:
| Aces: | – have the value of 1 |
| 2s – 9s: | – have face values |
| 10s: | – have a value of 0 |
| Picture Cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings): | – have a value of 0 |
Any combinations of cards totaling 10 or a multiple of 10 will also have a value of 0.
Examples:
Ace + 6 = 7
Ace + King = 1
Ace + 9 = 0
10 + Jack = 0
2 + 3 + 9 = 4
5 + 5 + 5 = 5
As mentioned earlier, baccarat is a game with NO optional draws. Cards are drawn according to a set of rules and each side can never have more than three cards drawn.
A variation of baccarat is one with NO COMMISSION deductions for BANKER wins. However, this version of ‘no commission’ baccarat usually pays 50% if the BANKER wins with a point count of 6 (often referred to as a B6 win).
In a typical Baccarat hand, four cards are dealt, to begin with:
1st card goes to the PLAYER
2nd card goes to the BANKER
3rd card goes to the PLAYER
4th card goes to the BANKER
* If either the PLAYER or the BANKER or both have a point count of either 8 or 9 with their first two cards, then no further cards will be drawn. Both hands will stand. This rule will override all other rules with respect to drawing the 3rd card.
If neither the PLAYER nor the BANKER cards have a ‘Natural’ 8 or 9 after the initial two cards each, the above is then followed by drawing a 3rd card for PLAYER and BANKER according to the following rules:
Drawing the 3rd card for the PLAYER side:
| PLAYER’s first 2 cards: | PLAYER side action: |
| 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 | Draws 3rd card |
| 6 or 7 | Stand |
| 8 or 9 | Natural 8 or 9: Stand. No cards drawn. |
Drawing the 3rd card for the BANKER side:
| BANKER’s first 2 cards: | BANKER draws 3rd card if PLAYER’s 3rd card is: | BANKER stands if PLAYER’s 3rd card is: |
| 3 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, or 10 | 8 |
| 4 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 | 1, 8, 9, or 10 |
| 5 | 4, 5, 6, or 7 | 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, or 10 |
| 6 | 6 or 7 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, or 10 |
| 7 | BANKER stands | |
| 8 or 9 | Natural 8 or 9: Stand. No cards drawn. | |
| 0, 1, or 2 | BANKER draws a 3rd card |
In a typical 8-deck Baccarat shoe:
The BANKER bet has a probability of approximately: 45.86 %
(BANKER win pays 1:1 with 5% commission deduction)
The PLAYER bet has a probability of approximately: 44.62 %
(PLAYER win pays 1:1)
The TIE bet has a probability of approximately: 9.52 %
(TIE win pays 8:1)
Note: During a TIE, BANKER and PLAYER bets do not lose.
Baccarat is an easy, fun, and fast-paced card game. To win consistently, however, may not be so easy or that much fun! However, with sound knowledge of game analysis and bet selection techniques, it is quite possible to win consistently. To learn how the pros do it, click here.