Easy to Understand Baccarat Rules

Ask a card player to name a few favorite games and it is highly likely that baccarat will come out. Its popularity may be due to its relatively simple game premise and the fast plays that ensue. Baccarat rules are straightforward and easily understood.

In baccarat, the dealer deals two hands ñ one each for the banker and the player ñ from a deck of six or eight cards. Each hand is initially dealt two cards. The bets must be placed even before the hands are dealt, and the bets may be on the banker, the player or a tie.

Payouts for a winning bet vary. A winning bet on a banker or player will pay 1:1 but will net slightly lower for a bank bet given commissions. The commissions may vary but the standard rate is around 5%, netting 0.95:1.

A winning bet on a tie may pay out anywhere from 8:1 to 9:1. If a tie happens, the bets on the player and the banker are given back.

The winning hand is determined by its value, with the higher value winning. Hands with the same values will obviously result in a tie. Computing for the hand value requires summing up the two cards. Note that face cards and tens are given a value of zero. Once the sum is arrived at, only the last figure is used. For example, a seven spades and an eight heart would total 15 but would have a hand value of only five. Therefore, all hands would only range in value from zero to nine.

Baccarat rules are also specific for drawing an additional card. A player with a hand value of six to nine is not allowed to draw a card. Anything less than a six total will mean a drawn card.

The banker must stand if his two cards total seven to nine. A card must be drawn by the banker if he holds a total of zero to two. For values of three to six, a dealer draw depends if the player also drew.

Players may be tempted to count cards but some studies have shown that this is less effective in baccarat than in other games. With this handy guide on baccarat rules, it should now be easy for you to enjoy the game!