John Ford | July 12, 2022 | Updated on: January 27th, 2023
Online Baccarat rules are straightforward and easy to grasp when you apply yourself. Baccarat is a classic casino game and has a reputation for being a high roller favourite. But we believe players with ordinary budgets can enjoy the game, too.
Fancy getting to know the game a little deeper? New to baccarat? Say no more, you’ve come to the right place. It’s fair to say that you cannot master a casino game without learning its rules first. It’s important to know how the game goes, what’s allowed, and what’s not.
Fortunately, we’ve put together this guide to help you out. Continue reading for more on baccarat rules.
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How Baccarat Works
The game begins when the dealer hands out the cards. The player and banker will each receive two cards. Your goal is to bet on the one who will receive a hand closest to 9. So, if you bet on the banker, and it has the hand closest to 9, you win. Your winnings are 95% of your initial wager amount. If you lose, the casino will collect your wager and the next round begins.
Baccarat Rules and Strategy
Things may not always be as clear-cut during the game i.e. you might not always get a perfect hand first time around. Therefore, online baccarat rules exist to regulate play when things get complicated.
- The first rule of the game is that all bets must be placed before the cards are dealt.
- The number 10 card, as well as all face cards, has a zero value. All other numbered cards 1-9 are worth face value. Aces are worth one point.
- If the hand you bet on equals more than 9, the second digit of the two-card total will be the value of your hand. For example, 9 + 6 = 15 (the value of your hand will then be the second digit which is 5).
- Natural wins can be an 8 or 9 on either banker or player. If you receive this hand on the first deal, you win.
- All player bets can stand on totals of 6 or 7.
- All player bets can draw on totals of 0-5, provided the banker doesn’t have a natural win of 8 or 9 already. In this case, the banker will win.
- Similarly, all banker bets can draw on totals of 0-5.
- Similarly, all banker bets can stand on totals of 6 or 7.
Baccarat Rules Regarding Third Cards
Now, things might get more complicated once third cards get into play. But, don’t worry too much because there are baccarat rules which state how third cards ought to be treated in the game.
Whether the game continues will depend on your opponent’s third card. If their third card hands them a win, the round will end. But if it doesn’t, here’s how things will go:
- Let’s assume you’ve bet on the player bet, if at this point your third card is a 10, 9, face card or ace then the banker may draw next. The banker’s hand must be valued at 0-3 to qualify. If the banker’s hand prior to the third card is between 4-7 it doesn’t draw but stays instead.
- If your third card is an 8, the banker bet may draw, but must have a hand valued between 0-2 to qualify. The banker stays if it has cards that equal to 3-7.
- If your third card is 6 or 7, the banker may draw if he has a 0-6 hand. But, the banker stays if its hand is 7.
- If your third card is 4 or 5, the banker may draw on a hand of 0-5, but must stay if its existing hand prior is a 6 or 7.
- Lastly, if your third card is a 2 or 3, the banker can draw if it has a hand valued between 0-4. It stays with a hand valued between 5-7.
Baccarat Rules Chart
The baccarat rules sheet below simple summarises the information we’ve stated above regarding third card rules. The first column is the potential scenario and the second column states what you must do in that scenario.
| Players Third Card | Subsequent Banker Move |
| 10,9,K,Q,J or Ace | Draw if on 0-3 points |
| 8 | Draw if on 0-2 points |
| 6 or 7 | Draw if on 0-6 points |
| 4 or 5 | Draw if on 0-5 points |
| 2 or 3 | Draw if on 0-4 points |
How to Play Baccarat and Win
Now that you know all the baccarat rules, you’ve got all the tools you need to play baccarat and win. Visit any of the casinos that we have listed in our table above to play baccarat for real money.