Casino Baccarat is a classic card game known for its simplicity. Whether you’re new to the game or looking to refresh your knowledge, understanding the rules is key. This guide will help you get to grips with the basics of Casino Baccarat, including card values, gameplay, and essential rules.

What is Casino Baccarat?

In Casino Baccarat, the goal is to bet on which hand—Player or Banker—will come closest to a total of 9. You can also bet on a tie between the two hands.

Card Values

Here’s how the cards are valued in Baccarat:

• Cards 2 to 9: Worth their face value (e.g., a 5 is worth 5 points).
• 10s, Jacks, Queens, Kings: Worth 0 points.
• Aces: Worth 1 point.

To find the hand’s value, add the cards together and use only the last digit. For example, if the total is 15, the hand value is 5.

How to Play Baccarat

Follow these steps to play Casino Baccarat:

1. Place Your Bets: Before the cards are dealt, bet on the Player hand, Banker hand, or a tie.
2. Deal the Cards: The dealer gives two cards to the Player and Banker. Cards are dealt face up.
3. Calculate the Hands: Add the values of the cards. If the total is more than 9, use only the last digit.
4. Draw a Third Card: Depending on the total of the first two cards, a third card may be drawn according to specific rules.
5. Determine the Winner: The hand closest to 9 wins. Winning bets are paid according to the bet placed.

Third Card Rules

Here’s when a third card is drawn:

• Player’s Hand: If the Player’s total is 0-5, a third card is drawn. If the total is 6 or 7, the Player stands.
• Banker’s Hand: The Banker’s third card draw depends on both the Banker’s and Player’s totals. The rules are predefined.

Common Baccarat Terms

Know these key terms to better understand Baccarat:

• Player Hand: The hand dealt to the Player.
• Banker Hand: The hand dealt to the Banker.
• Tie: A bet that both hands will have the same value.
• Natural: A hand with an initial total of 8 or 9.