Baccarat is an elegant casino table game played between a player and banker. Similar to blackjack, the goal is to get a hand value as close to 9 as possible. However, baccarat follows strict dealing and drawing rules that determine results. Learning these key baccarat rules gives beginners a strong foundation to play properly and maximize enjoyment of the game. If you want to find more detailed explanation about how to play baccarat and advanced rules, you can check baccarat casino game rules on Baccarat.wiki.
Baccarat Third Card Rule Chart
The main baccarat rules center on whether a third card gets drawn to player and banker hands per this reference chart:
| Player/Banker Totals | 0-1-2-3-4-5 | 6-7 | 8-9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Draw | Stand | Stand |
| 4 | Draw | Draw | Stand |
| 5 | Draw | Draw | Stand |
| 6 | Draw | Draw | Stand |
| 7 | Stand | Stand | Stand |
So if a player gets 5 and the banker gets 3, only the banker would receive another card based on the rules.
Baccarat Drawing Rules
Beyond the scenarios above, here are some additional baccarat dealing procedures:
- There are no player strategy choices or hitting/standing decisions
- If either the player or banker gets an 8 or 9 (a “natural”) – no more cards get dealt
- If the player stands, then the banker hits on totals of 5 or less
- If the player does not have a natural, the banker always hits on totals of 0-2
- If the player drew the 3rd card, the Banker acts according to the table rules
Following proper baccarat drawing rules is critical to navigating common game situations.
Banker
The dealer actually controls the banker hand at all times. Players only get to play the separate player hand by betting on it. After bets are placed, the banker and player are each dealt two cards. Totals determine if a third gets drawn per the chart above before finalizing the winner with closest to 9.
Stadium Baccarat
A popular live and online baccarat format is called stadium or table baccarat. It has a large curved table with three dealers and numbered spots similar to roulette. Players can bet on any numbered spot with up to 200+ seats in some cases. The stadium setup allows fast gameplay for an interactive experience.
FAQs
Do baccarat rules vary by type of dealing shoe?
The main baccarat drawing rules typically remain consistent. But some shoe games add rules about revealing certain cards that influence bettor decisions.
What happens if the baccarat player and banker tie?
If both hands equal the same number, it results in a “tie” rather than a win or loss for betting purposes. Certain bets can profit from a tied hand.
Can you count cards in baccarat?
No – Unlike blackjack, baccarat deals too many cards from 6-8 decks to effectively count. Results rely entirely on predetermined drawing rules instead.