Baccarat Rules
Baccarat (Punto Banco in the UK) is similar to Blackjack, with players trying to make 9 instead of 21, but there are no decisions to be made by either Player(Punto) or Banker (Banco) after the cards have been dealt. Before each round of dealing, the player places a bet on either Punto or Banco, or on a tie. Only two hands are dealt no matter how many players are betting. Winning bets on Punto are paid at even money and winning bets on Banco are paid at 19-20. A winning bet on a tie is paid at 9-1.
Bets are placed, then one player is instructed by the croupier to deal two cards face up for Punto and for Banco. Each card has a value from 1-10, but unlike in Blackjack no hand can bust. Instead, any value over 9 is cancelled, so all cards 10 and over essentially just count as 0. Aces count as 1, and all other cards have their face value. The value of each hand is calculated, and once again any total over 9 does not bust but is merely cancelled.
If either hand totals 9, that hand wins outright unless the other hand also totals 9 (in which case it is a tie, and all bets stay where they are). A bet that wins straight away in two cards is called a "natural". If either hand totals 8, that hand wins outright unless the other hand also totals 8 (in which case, again, all bets stay where they are).
For all other totals, Punto acts first and must stand with a total of 6 or 7, and draw another card with totals of 0-5. Banco then responds. If Punto has a two card 6 or 7 then Banco must draw on totals of 0-5 and stand on any total of 6 or 7. If Punto has drawn a third card then Banco must follow these rules :
If Banco has: And Punto drew: Then Banco must:
0, 1 or 2 any card draw
3 anything except an 8 draw
4 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 draw
4 0, 1, 8 or 9 stand
5 4 - 7 draw
5 0 - 3, 8 or 9 stand
6 6 or 7 draw
6 0-5, 8 or 9 stand
7 any card stand
