Baccarat Rules Explained

Master the core rules of Baccarat, including card values, essential wagers (Player, Banker, Tie), dealing protocols, and popular variations.

Baccarat is a sophisticated card game widely enjoyed in casinos worldwide. The game utilizes a standardized set of rules governing table layout, card values, wagers, and gameplay mechanics. The game is typically played with four to eight decks of 52 cards, excluding jokers. If the Perfect Pairs side wager is offered, a minimum of six decks must be utilized. All cards are dealt from a specially designed shoe.

The Baccarat Table and Setup

The Baccarat table is designed to accommodate six, seven, or nine seated players. The table includes marked spaces for the three primary wagers:

• Player: For wagers betting on the Player’s card total.
• Banker: For wagers betting on the Banker’s card total.
• Tie: For wagers that the point count of the Banker’s hand and the Player’s hand will be equal.

Prior to play, the cards are checked for completeness and imperfections, spread out on the table consecutively in suits, and then shuffled face downwards. The dealer places a marker card between the seventh and eighth cards from the back of the combined decks before placing them in the shoe.

Card Values and Scoring

Baccarat uses a specific point system to determine the winner. Hands comprise either two cards or three cards.

The point of a hand is always a single figure from zero to nine inclusive. The count is determined by totaling the card values and subtracting ten or multiples of ten if the total exceeds nine. A point of zero is known as “Baccarat”.

The order of merit for hands, from highest to lowest, begins with a point of nine, followed by a point of eight, then seven, and so on down to “Baccarat”.

Core Wagers and Payouts

Wagers can only be made using chips. No wager may be made, withdrawn, or increased after the first card of each hand has been dealt.

The three main wagers are:

1. Player’s Hand: Wins if the point count is higher than the Banker’s hand. Paid at odds of 1 to 1.
2. Banker’s Hand: Wins if the point count is higher than the Player’s hand. Paid at odds of 19 to 20 (standard rules).
3. Tie: Wins if the point count of the Banker’s hand and the Player’s hand are equal. Wagers on Player and Banker are void in this event. Paid at odds of 8 to 1.

Gameplay: The Deal and The Play

Initial Deal

At the start of play, the dealer initially deals four cards face upwards into the “Player” and “Banker” spaces in sequence: Player, Banker, Player, Banker.

Optional Handling (The Squeeze): At the request of the players, the cards may be dealt face down, allowing players to turn (squeeze) the cards over. In this scenario, the cards for the Player’s hand are passed face down to the seated player who has placed the highest wager on the Player’s hand. The same process applies to the Banker’s hand.

The Table of Play

After the initial deal, further cards (a third card) are dealt according to the mandatory Table of Play.

• Player’s Draw Rule: The Player hand draws a third card if its point is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. The Player stands on 6 or 7. The Player receives no further draw on 8 or 9.
• Banker’s Draw Rule: The Banker’s drawing action depends both on the Banker’s current point and the third card (if any) drawn by the Player. For instance, the Banker stands on a point of 7, 8, or 9.

After all necessary cards have been dealt, the result of the hand is announced.

Variations and Side Wagers

The rules allow for specific variations and side wagers to be offered.

Federal Baccarat (Point 6 Commission)

Federal Baccarat is a form of the game where winning Banker hands are paid at 1 to 1 odds.

• Exception: If the Banker wins with a point score of 6, those winning wagers are paid at 1 to 1 less 50% commission. For example, a $100 winning wager pays $50.
• Winning Player hands in Federal Baccarat are still paid at 1 to 1.
• If this version is played, a notice must be clearly displayed at the table.

Perfect Pairs Side Wager

Perfect Pairs is a side wager that wins if the first two cards dealt to either the Player or the Banker constitute a pair. Players may wager on a Player Pair, a Banker Pair, or both.

The payout odds depend on the type of pair:

This wager must meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum amount indicated on the table sign.

Baccarat Competition Play

Baccarat can be played in structured competitions designed to provide all players with an equal chance. Competitions may use Competition Chips (for non-live events) or Cash Value Chips (for Live Competition Baccarat).

Key aspects of competition play include:

• Players are allocated an equivalent allotment of chips at the start of a session.
• Chips must remain on the table in full view of all participants.
• During a session, each player must make one wager only on “Banker” or “Player,” and may additionally wager on the Tie bet.
• Secret Wagers may be permitted (the number determined by competition terms). A secret wager is placed by writing the amount and type of bet on an approved form, the details of which are generally kept secret until after the coup concludes.
• The winner(s) of a session is the player(s) at each table with the highest value of chips at the end of the session.

Learning the complexities of Baccarat, from basic card values to specific competition protocols, is like learning the detailed regulations of a large sporting league: while the action on the surface is simple (betting on Player, Banker, or Tie), a deep understanding of the technical rules ensures you appreciate every facet of the game’s official conduct.

Author:

Lucas Portela

Owner, BoldGambler • Avanhandava/SP

Oddsmaker, affiliate and content creator in the iGaming industry.

LinkedIn E-mail