The object of Baccarat is to predict which of two hands will have a
point value closest to 9. In Baccarat, face cards and 10s count as zero
(0), aces count as one, and all the other cards keep their face values.
Adding the point values of the cards dealt and looking at the last digit
of the sum determine hand point values. For example, a 9 and a 5 in a
hand would total 14. Dropping the first digit leaves a 4, which
represents the hand's value.
Baccarat requires little or no skill. Once bets have been placed and
the cards have been dealt, the player has no further effect on the
outcome of the hand. The real "skill" of Baccarat comes in predicting
which of the three possible outcomes (Banker win, Player win, or tie)
will occur. Many strategies for streak betting have been theorized and
tested, and not surprisingly none have been proven to work over the long
run.
There are three betting areas on the baccarat table: Player,
Banker, and Tie. To begin play, place a wager on one or more of these
areas.
ll Baccarat hands consist of two initial cards with specific rules
governing whether a third card is dealt.
When the point value of the first two cards dealt equals 8 or 9,
the hand is called a "natural". The only hand that will beat a natural
8 is a natural 9. If either the Player or the Banker hand is a
natural, the opposite hand does not draw a third card, no matter that
hand's value.
A tie results in the return of both Player and Banker bets.
Third Card Situations
The game will automatically deal a
third card in the following situations:
For the player
The player hand totals 0 through 5 (unless
the Banker has a natural).
For the Banker
If the banker hand totals:
3, and the
Player hand stands on 6 or 7 or the Player draws an Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7 or 9.
4, and the Player hand stands on 6 or 7 or the
Player draws a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.
5, and the player hand
stands on 6 or 7 or the Player draws a 4, 5, 6, or 7.
6, and
the player hand stands on 6 or 7. The Banker always stands if the
Player stands on 6 or 7.
The Banker will always draw a 3rd card
when the first two cards total 0, 1 or 2 (except when Player's first 2
cards equal 8 or 9).
The Odds: Inside Scoop
Following are the odds of each of
three bet types. Since the player has no real influence over the
outcome of the game, these odds remain the same for each discrete hand
that is dealt.
Banker 45.8%
Player
44.6%
Tie 9.6%
Payouts
Both Player and Banker bets are paid at 1 to 1.
However, due to the slight advantage for the banker (see odds above),
the House takes a 5% commission (also called a Vig) from each winning
hand bet on the Banker. Tie bets are paid at 9 for 1.
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