How to play baccarat

Baccarat may seem a bit intimidating at first, but once you find out how it works you’ll see it’s one of the easiest games to play.

How to play mini-baccarat

In mini-baccarat, the dealer does all the work. You aren’t even dealt any cards. All you need to do is choose one of three possible outcomes to bet on: the “Player” hand is closer to 9, the “Banker” hand is closer to 9, or the two hands tie. Simply decide how much you want to bet, and watch what unfolds.

Step	Instructions
1	Place your bet—on the Player hand, the Banker hand, or a tie. Remember: you’re betting on which hand will end up closer to 9, and you don’t get any cards yourself.
2	The dealer deals two cards to the Player hand and two to the Banker hand, and announces the point totals.
3	To count the hands’ point values, only the right digit of the total is used. For example, if the Player hand is dealt a 9 and a 3, the point total isn’t 12, it’s 2. King, queens, jack and tens are worth ten, aces are worth one, and number cards count as their numbers.
4	If the first two cards of either hand total 8 or 9, it’s known as a natural. No more cards are dealt, and winning bets are paid out. If the two hands have the same total, it’s a tie.
5	If neither hand totals 8 or 9, additional cards may be drawn, according to the third-card rule.

Third-card rule

If the first two cards of the Player hand total 0 to 5, the Player hand gets a third card. If the Player total is 6 or 7, it does not get a third card.

If the Player hand stood on two cards (i.e., it has a total of 6 or 7), the Banker hand follows the same rules as the Player hand in determining whether it will receive a third card. The Banker receives a card if its total is 0 to 5, and stands on 6 or 7.

If the Player hand takes a third card, these rules apply on the Banker hand:

If the Banker's first two cards total:	The Banker takes a third card if the Player's third card is:
0, 1 or 2	Any card
3	Not an 8
4	2 through 7
5	4 through 7
6	6 or 7

How much can you win?

PLAYER

If you bet on the Player hand and it wins, you’re paid out at 1 to 1. If you bet $10, you win $10.

BANKER

If you bet on the Banker hand and it wins, you’re paid out at 1 to 1, minus a 5 percent commission, which the dealer collects. If you bet $10, you net $9.50.

TIE

If you bet on a tie, and the hands are identical, you’re paid out at 8 to 1. If you bet $10, you’re paid $80.

Baccarat variations

Ruyi Baccarat

The rules are the same as Mini-Baccarat, except there are no commissions on winning Banker wagers. Ruyi Baccarat has a few side bets to know about:

Gold 7: If the Banker hand is a winning three-card hand totalling 7, it’s called a Gold 7. Banker wagers on a Gold 7 are a push (a tie). A Gold 7 side bet pays out at 40 to 1.

Jade 8: If the Player hand is a winning three-card hand totalling 8, the hand is called a Jade 8. Winning Player wagers on a Jade 8 pay 1 to 1. Winning Jade 8 side bets pay out at 25 to 1.

Midi-Ruyi Baccarat

Midi-Ruyi Baccarat has the same rules as Ruyi Baccarat, except that players who make the highest Player and Banker wagers have the option to touch or hold the hand they wagered on. Players may squeeze or fold the cards, but are not permitted to crumple or rip the cards.

Midi-Baccarat

Midi-Baccarat is played with the same rules as Mini-Baccarat, except players who make the highest Player and Banker wagers have the option to touch or hold the hand they wagered on. Players may squeeze or fold the cards, but are not permitted to crumple or rip the cards. Plus, you can make a Pairs side bet on the possibility that the first two cards dealt to either the Player or Banker hands are a pair. If you win, the payout is 11 to 1.

No Commission Baccarat

Another variation of Mini-Baccarat. The difference is exactly what the name suggests: there’s no commission on winning Banker wagers. If the winning Banker hand totals 6, Banker wagers are paid at 1 to 2. If you bet $10, you’re paid $5.

Odds of winning

Baccarat is a game of pure chance, meaning you can’t improve your odds using skill. The odds of winning are lower than blackjack, but higher than roulette and poker, as long as you play with an optimal strategy. Betting on the Banker hand offers the best odds of winning at baccarat.

For more on baccarat’s odds, payouts and ways to play, visit GameSense.com.

Rules of Play for Baccarat

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