Understanding Baccarat
The purpose to the game of baccarat is to
bet on the hand that comes the closest to nine points as possible,
in a hand of either two or three cards.
The perfect hand would total nine in the first two cards that
are dealt. Second best will be the hand that totals eight. Both
eight and nine in the first two cards are considered to be a “natural” hand.
If a natural hand has been dealt, both hands automatically stand,
and the natural hand automatically wins unless there is a tie.
he only way to beat a natural eight is a natural nine hand.
All bets are called off in the case of a tie, unless someone
has bet on a tie.
| Card |
Point value |
| Ace |
1 |
| Two |
2 |
| Three |
3 |
| Four |
4 |
| Five |
5 |
| Six |
6 |
| Seven |
7 |
| Eight |
8 |
| Nine |
9 |
| Ten |
0 |
| Jack |
0 |
| Queen |
0 |
| King |
0 |
In the case that the numeric total of a hand runs into double
digits, the first digit is dropped, and the second digit becomes
the hand’s score. For example, if a hand is dealt, containing
a 9 and a 5, the numeric total would be 14, but the point value
would be 4.
The participants are “the banker” and “the
player.” The banker is not necessarily a casino employee,
but is usually defined as the person with the most money.
The banker and the player are each dealt three hands of two
cards each, face down. The hands are designated for two players,
one to the right and one the left of the banker, plus the banker’s
own hand.
When a player is betting “banco,” this means that
they are betting the entire value of the bank’s funds, and
it means that all other bets are automatically withdrawn.
If one of the players has a count of less than a natural hand,
s/he may stand by saying “non” or take another card,
face-up, by saying “carte.” Basically, the player
must stand on a score of six or seven, and must draw another card
at a score of four or less.
Baccarat is usually played with eight complete decks of cards,
when played at a casino. Before each new hand is dealt, the bets
are placed.
In baccarat, before the hands are dealt, the bets are made.
Bets can be made on the banker’s hand, the player’s
hand, or on a tie.
When the bets have been made, the hands are dealt, each receiving
two cards. According to the rules, another card is sometimes also
drawn.
It is the hand, which achieves the score closest to 9 that wins.
Point values of the cards are as follows:
- Tens - 0
- Jacks - 0
- Queens - 0
- Kings - 0
- Aces - 1
- Cards 2 through 9 are equal to their face value
The hands cannot bust, if they receive a score of over 9. In a situation
where there are a numeric total of two digits, the first digit is dropped, and
the point score equals the second digit. For example, if a hand consists of
a 6 and an 8, the total is 12, but the score is 2. |
