Baccarat

Baccarat is a simple game with only three betting options: the players hand, the dealers hand, or a tie. The winning hand is whoever holds 2 or 3 cards totaling closest to 9. A bet on the players hand pays 1 to 1, a bet on the dealers hand pays 1 to 1 (plus 5% to the house) and a tie results in a 9 to 1 win. After the initial bet, no more bets are placed.

The value of cards are: tens and face cards equal 0, aces count as 1, and cards 2 – 9 are face value.

After all bets have been placed, the dealer continues to deal a 2 card/face up hand to every player and the dealer. If a tie occurs in the game, all tie bets are paid and the hand is over. If anyone recieves 2 cards totaling 9, it is considered a “natural” and the holder automatically wins. If no one is holding a natural 9, a hand with an 8 becomes a natural winner. If any player recieves a 9 or 8 off the bat they automaticly win (unless the dealer holds a 9 and the player an 8).

If, after the first 2 cards are dealt, no one holds an 8 or 9, and there are no ties, a third card may be dealt depending on the total. Check the table below to see when additional cards are dealt:

 If more cards are dealt after the initial 2, the player’s hand is dealt first (only if he is holding a total of 0-5). After the player is done, the banker has some options depending on the players hand. If the player did not draw a 3rd card, the banker is only dealt another card to a hand of 0-4. If the player did draw a 3rd card, the banker has the options as described in the table above.