Playing Baccarat

Baccarat is a game with two persons involved, the banker and the player. In addition to these up to 14 people around the baccarat table can bet on either of them to win.

In Baccarat, the player that comes closest to 9 in total value when the hand is over wins. It's impossible to have a total over 9. If the card's added value should be 10 or higher then 10 will be subtracted from the total sum. The card's individual values are as follows in Baccarat: Ace is 1, 2 to 9 have face value, 10 to King all equal 0. This means that a hand of 5-K has a total value of 5 (5+0) and that a hand of 6-7 has a total value of 3 (7+6=13. 13-10=3).

Baccarat follows a strict procedure. At the start of the game both player and banker are dealt two cards face down. If either of them has a total value of 8 or 9 (called a natural) both hands are turned over and the hand closest to nine wins. If the hands have the same total value, it's a push.

If no one has a natural, the player's cards decide how the game continues. If the player's total value is 6 or 7 he must stand. Otherwise he must draw a third card.

After this the turn goes to the banker. His actions depend on the value of his own two starting cards and the third card drawn by the player. The banker always stands if his total value is 7. On 6 he draws another card if the third card dealt to the player was a 6 or 7, otherwise he stands. On 5 he draws if the third card dealt to the player was 4-7, otherwise he stands. On 4 he draws if the third card dealt to the player was 2-7, otherwise he stands. On 3 he draws if the third card dealt to the player was anything but an 8. On a total value of 2-0 the banker always draws a third card.

When the banker has made his move the hands are turned over and the player closest to 9 in total value wins the game.

You can check out the history of baccarat for more details on baccarat games