The Rules of Baccarat
The game is played with 6 or 8 packs, 52 cards in each one. The point of the game is to stake on the hand which as you think will gain the largest number of points.
The best combination consists of two cards which sum makes 9 points – the “natural combination”. The similar name is given to the combination out of two cards with the sum of 8 points, but it is inferior to the combination which makes 9 points. The value of cards from two to nine corresponds to their nominal significance. For example, eight has the value of 8 points. Ten, Jack, queen and king has the value of 0 point, and ace – of 1 point.
When the sum of a player is over 9, they subtract 10 points from this sum so many times until the remainder is less than 10. For example, if a player has gained 25 points (7+9+9), they subtract 10 twice from 25, so that the remainder would not be more than 10. We have: 25-10-10=5 – the player has gained 5 points.
According to Baccarat, a player can make three types of bets depending on the situation:
- Punto is a bet made on the winning of a player’s hand; it is paid 1 to 1. They subtract the commission of 5% from the sum of the winning.
- Banco is a bet made on the dealer’s winning, paid 19 to 20.
- Tie is a bet made on the neutral outcome, paid 8 to 1 (sometimes 9 to 1, depending on the casino rules).
After the player has made a bet, the dealer delivers two cards to himself and two cards to the player.
- If the player or the dealer has got a “natural” combination, the winner is determined and the round is over.
- If the sum of points is less than 6, the player takes the third card.
- If the player has taken the third card, the dealer follows the third card rule:
~ If the general number of the dealer’s points is 2 or less, he takes a card.
~ If the general number of the dealer’s points is 3, the dealer takes a card
providing that the player hasn’t taken the card of 8 points worth.
~ If the general number of the dealer’s points is 4, the dealer takes a card if
the player hasn’t taken the card of 0, 1, 8 or 9 points worth.
~ If the general number of the dealer’s points is 5, the dealer takes a card if
the player hasn’t taken the card of 4, 5, 6 or 7 points worth.
~ If the general number of the dealer’s points is 6, the dealer takes a card if
the player hasn’t taken the card of 6 or 7 points worth.
~ If the general number of the dealer’s points is 7, the dealer doesn’t take
the third card.
- If the player hasn’t taken the third card, the dealer doesn’t take it either, providing that he has 6 or more points, and he takes the third card on condition that he has 5 or less points.