In Baccarat, the player's objective is to get a hand that is closer to 9 in value than the banker's. The game is played modulo 10, that is if the total of the hand is greater than 10, then 10 is subtracted from the total. (Thus the value of a hand is always between 0 through 9)

For example, if the players cards total 15, 10 is subtracted and the value of the hand becomes 5. An ace counts as 1, two counts as 2, etc., up through nine counts as 9, but tens (also jacks, queens and kings) count as 0.

 

To start a hand both player and banker are dealt two cards, and the next move depends on the cards in the hands.

If the player or banker has a two card total of 8 or 9, he/she turns the cards over immediately. The other must do so also. (In online baccarat cards are always face up) A 9 value wins over any lesser total, and if neither player has a 9 then 8 wins over any lesser total. Tied 9s or tied 8s are a stand off; no money changes hands. (unless ties can be bet on, as with most online venues)

If neither the player or the banker has a natural (a total of 8 or 9) then play goes to the player. The player stands on a total of 6 or 7, but if the player has a total of 5 or less he/she must draw one card (face up).

Now it is the bankers turn. With a total of 7, he stands. With a total of 6 or less, his selection depends on the value of his two card total and the value of the card that the player drew. The rules are as follows:

 

The game must be played by the rules, there are no options for either the player or the dealer.

 

Player Rules: Value held Action       0 (10, J, Q, K) 1 2 3 4 5 Draws a card     6 7 Stands     8 9 Turns cards over

Online Baccarat at River Belle

 

Value held Draws When Giving Does Not Draw When Giving  0 (10, J, Q, K) 1 2 Draws a card Draws a card 3 0 (10, J, Q, K)-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-9 8 4 2-3-4-5-6-7 0 (10, J, Q, K)-1-8-9 5 4-5-6-7 0 (10, J, Q, K)-1-2-3-8-9 6 6-7 0 (10, J, Q, K)-1-2-3-4-5-8-9 7 Stands Stands 8   Turns cards over Turns cards over

 

Baccarat has a very reasonable set of odds for the player when compared to most games. On player bets the house has a small edge, to compensate for this the house takes a commission (usually 5 percent) on winning bank bets.

Bets are made prior to any cards being dealt. The banker plays against only one player at a time, but any or all the other players may bet on the hand.

In regular casinos, baccarat is played on a kidney shaped table that can sit up to 12 or 14 players depending on the size of the table. Three dealers (croupiers) run the game; one handles the cards, while the other two handle the wagers and the commission that is paid on winning bank bets. Where the players sit is not important, but bets must be made in a marked area on the table that corresponds to the players seat.

Players may bet three ways: on the bank, on the players hand, or for a tie. Players often switch from betting on the bank to betting on the players hand and vice versa. (Betting for a tie is not usually smart, while having a larger payoff, it is considered one of the worst wagers in the casino.) A bet is made by placing money on the table in your marked area on the wagered spot. For example if you are player number 3 and wish to bet on the bank you place the desired wager amount on the table layout place for player number 3 marked bank.

Winning player and bank bets pay even money (excluding banker bet commissions). Hands that result in a tie usually pay off at 8 to 1 and a bank or player bet is treated as a push with the money sitting on the table for the next hand.