Behind Baccarat

To correctly bet on which of two hands, the “Player” or the “Banker,” will end up with a higher point total — or a tie.

• Place your bet on the Player Hand, the Banker Hand, or a Tie. Once bets are placed, two cards are dealt to both the Player and the Banker.
• A point count is determined by adding the two cards. If the total is a two-digit number, then the first digit is dropped. (For example, a value total of 12 would have a point total of 2.)
• If either the Player or the Banker Hand is 8 or 9, this is called a ‘natural’ and the round ends.
• The Player Hand gets a third card if its first two cards total 0 to 5. If its total is 6 or 7, it does not get a third card.
• If the Player did not receive a third card,the Banker gets a third card but only if its first two cards totaled 0 to 5. The Banker stands on 6 and 7.
• If the Player did receive a third card,the Banker gets a third card based on the following table:

Player Bet: You win if the Player’s Hand is greater than the Banker’s Hand.
Banker Bet: the opposite of the Player Bet. You win if the Banker’s Hand is greater than the Player’s Hand.
Tie Bet: a bet that the Player’s Hand and Banker’s Hand will tie.
Curator: In some baccarat versions, this is the player responsible for dealing the cards.
Natural: a hand that has a point count of 8 or 9 on the first two cards dealt.
Vigorish: Up to a 5% commission taken by the House on winning bets on the Banker’s Hand on most versions of Baccarat.

• In Chemin de Fer, the participant offering to bet the most becomes the Banker and is responsible for dealing the cards. Don’t delay the game if dealing. This person must bet on the Banker Hand.
• In Midibaccarat, the participant betting the most on either hand announces the point total for that hand. Speak clearly.
• In standard baccarat, squeezing or folding your cards can’t change the odds of winning, and it damages the cards.
• In mini-baccarat, participants are not permitted to touch the cards.