Master the baccarat third card rule. See the official drawing tableau chart, natural hands, and how Player and Banker draw decisions work.
Last updated:The third card rule in online baccarat (punto banco) sets whether the Player hand, the Banker hand, or both take an extra card after the initial deal. In online games, these drawing rules are completely fixed and handled by the software or live dealer. You never have to decide whether to hit or stand during a round.
Key Takeaways: Baccarat Third Card Rule
- Fixed Automated Tableau: Neither the player nor the dealer makes hit or stand choices; all extra draws strictly follow the predetermined baccarat tableau executed automatically by software or the live dealer.
- Natural Hands End Rounds: If either hand is dealt an 8 or 9 on the initial two cards (a natural), the round ends immediately without any third cards being drawn.
- Player Hand Resolution: When no natural is present, the Player always draws on totals of 0 through 5 and stands on 6 or 7, acting as the mandatory first baseline for the round.
- Banker Positional Rules: The Banker draws on 0–5 and stands on 6–7 if the Player stood; if the Player took a third card, the Banker follows a conditional chart based on its own total and the rank of that drawn card.
Who Decides Whether a Third Card Is Drawn
Nobody at the table makes a call on whether a hand takes a third card. Neither you nor the dealer has any say in the matter. The game simply follows a preset chart of rules called the tableau.
Once you put your chips on Player, Banker, or Tie, your job in the round is done. The cards are dealt, and the system checks the scores and deals any extra cards required by the rules. Because everything runs automatically, you cannot make a playing mistake or break procedure at the table.
Natural Hands and When the Round Ends
Every baccarat round starts with two cards dealt to the Player and two to the Banker. Before checking any drawing rules, the game looks for a natural hand.
A natural happens when either side gets an 8 or a 9 on the first two cards. An 8 is called a petite natural, and a 9 is a grande natural.
If either hand has an 8 or 9, the round ends right there. Neither side gets a third card. The scores are compared immediately, winning bets are paid, and losing chips are cleared from the board. A 9 beats an 8, and if both sides hold the same natural total the round is a tie. In an eight-deck shoe, roughly one round in three (about 34%) ends on a natural. If neither hand has an 8 or 9, the game moves on to the third card rules.
To see how card values are counted using the modulo-10 system, check our beginner guide on how to play online baccarat.
Player Drawing Rules
When there is no natural 8 or 9, the game always resolves the Player hand first. What happens depends entirely on the Player’s two-card total:
- Totals of 0 through 5: The Player hand must take a third card.
- Totals of 6 or 7: The Player hand stands and takes no cards.
The Player hand never receives more than three cards in a round. Once the Player finishes its turn, the game checks the Banker hand.
Banker Drawing Rules
The rules for the Banker hand have a few more steps because the Banker acts second. This gives the Banker a positional advantage, since its draw can depend on what the Player did first.
How the Banker acts comes down to two situations: whether the Player stood on two cards or took a third card.
When the Player Stood (No Third Card)
If the Player stood with a 6 or 7, the Banker skips the complex drawing chart and follows the same basic rule the Player used:
- Banker total of 0 to 5: The Banker draws a third card.
- Banker total of 6 or 7: The Banker stands.
When the Player Drew a Third Card
If the Player took a third card, the Banker follows the official baccarat tableau. The Banker’s action depends on its own two-card score and the exact rank of the third card the Player drew.
For this rule, face cards (10, Jack, Queen, King) count as 0, and Aces count as 1.
| Banker Score | Draws if Player’s 3rd Card Is | Stands if Player’s 3rd Card Is |
| 0, 1, or 2 | Any card (0 to 9) | Never |
| 3 | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 | 8 |
| 4 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 | 0, 1, 8, 9 |
| 5 | 4, 5, 6, 7 | 0, 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 |
| 6 | 6, 7 | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 |
| 7 | Never | Any card (0 to 9) |
These rules give the Banker hand a slight edge, which is why it wins a bit more often over time. To balance that positional advantage, casinos take a standard 5% commission on winning Banker bets, as explained in our guide on baccarat bets, payouts and house edge.
Example Hands
Example 1: Round Ending with a Natural
The Player gets a 5 and a 4, making 9. The Banker gets a King and a 7, making 7.
Because the Player has a natural 9, the round finishes on the spot. No extra cards are dealt, and the Player wins 9 to 7.
Example 2: Only the Player Draws
The Player gets a 3 and a 2, starting with 5. The Banker gets a 4 and a 3, starting with 7.
With a total of 5, the Player must draw a third card. It gets a 3, bringing the total to 8. The Banker has a 7 and stands according to the rules. The Player wins the round 8 to 7.
Example 3: Both Hands Draw
The Player gets a 2 and a 2, starting with 4. The Banker gets a 3 and a 2, starting with 5.
The Player must draw with a total of 4. It receives a 6, which resets the total to 0 (4 + 6 = 10, dropping the tens digit to leave 0).
Now the game checks the Banker hand. The Banker holds a 5, and the Player’s third card was a 6. Looking at the chart, when the Banker has 5 and the Player drew a 6, the Banker draws.
The Banker receives a 2, ending with a total of 7 (5 + 2 = 7). The Banker wins the hand 7 to 0.
Example 4: Only the Banker Draws
The Player gets a 4 and a 2, making 6. The Banker gets a 3 and an Ace, making 4. Neither side has a natural.
The Player stands on 6 and takes no card. Because the Player stood, the Banker follows the simple rule and draws on a total of 4. The Banker receives a 5, ending with a total of 9 (4 + 5 = 9). The Banker wins the hand 9 to 6.
Next Steps
To see how different game formats work, including RNG software and live video tables, check our guide on online baccarat formats and variants.
For a complete overview of casino table rules, betting guides, and legal details, return to our main baccarat hub.
Baccarat is a game of chance with a built-in house advantage, so always keep your bets within your budget and play responsibly using our responsible gaming page.
❓ Baccarat Third Card Rule: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose whether a hand takes a third card?
Does the Banker always draw on a total of 5 or less?
When does the Banker stand on a total of 3?
How often do naturals and third cards happen?
Does the third card rule affect the house edge?
Author:
Lucas Portela
Owner, BoldGambler • Avanhandava/SP
Oddsmaker, affiliate and content creator in the iGaming industry.