Objective:
The goal of baccarat is to bet on the hand that will have a total closest to 9, between the player’s hand and the banker’s hand. You can also bet on a tie, where both hands have the same total.
Card Values:
- Cards 2-9 are worth their face value.
- 10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 0.
- Aces are worth 1 point.
Gameplay:
- Bet Placement: Before cards are dealt, you place your bet on either the player, banker, or a tie.
- Dealing the Cards:
Two cards are dealt face-up to both the player and the banker.
Depending on the total of these initial cards, a third card may be dealt according to specific rules (see below).
Scoring:
- Add up the total value of the cards in each hand. If the total is 10 or more, the second digit of the total is the score (e.g., a total of 15 equals a score of 5).
- For example, if a hand has a 7 and an 8, the total is 15, and the score is 5.
Drawing Rules:
- Player’s Hand: The player hand always stands on totals of 6 or 7 and draws a third card on totals of 0-5.
- Banker’s Hand: The banker’s hand depends on the player’s hand:
If the player did not draw a third card, the banker draws on totals of 0-5 and stands on 6-7.
If the player drew a third card, the banker follows more complex rules based on the third card drawn by the player (available in detailed baccarat rule tables).
Winning Conditions:
- Player’s Bet: Pays even money (1:1).
- Banker’s Bet: Pays even money minus a 5% commission to the house because the banker bet has a slightly lower house edge.
- Tie Bet: Pays 8:1 or 9:1, depending on the casino, but has a much higher house edge.
Tips:
- Baccarat is largely a game of chance, so there’s no strategy that can guarantee wins. The house edge is low, especially on the banker bet, making it a popular choice.
- It’s good to familiarize yourself with the drawing rules to understand why and when a third card is drawn.
- Some casinos may have slight variations in rules or payouts, so it’s useful to check these before playing.
By following these steps, you should have a good understanding of how to play baccarat. It’s a simple yet engaging game once you get the hang of the rules!
Remember that exact rules may vary depending on the casino or the variant of the game you’re playing. It’s important to know the specific rules before you start playing. Have fun!
