Baccarat

Baccarat is one of the more prestigious games at a casino. Ever want to learn how to play it? We make it simple.

Baccarat is played with eight decks of standard cards (52 card each, no jokers nor wild cards). Cards are valued the same as blackjack: 2-10 are face value, face cards are 10, aces are 1/11.

The difference from Blackjack is that when the cards are added together, only the last digit is considered. For example, if the cards sum to 15, the score is a 5. If the cards sum to 20, the score is 0. It is impossible to bust. The highest score wins.

To begin play, you may bet on the banker hand, the player hand, and/or bet on a tie. That's right, you don't even need to bet on your hand, you can bet the banker will win instead!

The player and banker are each dealt two cards face up. Unlike blackjack, the player must also play his hand by fixed rules. If either the player or banker are dealt a score of 8 or 9, both stand. Otherwise the player must hit on any 5 or less, and stand on any 6 or better. The player (and banker) may only hit once.

If the player stands, the banker also hits on any 5 or less, and stands on any 6 or better. However if the player hit, the banker will hit on any 2 or less, stand on any 7 or better. If the banker has a score of 3 thru 6, then the player's third card (not score) will determine whether the banker must hit or stand. If the banker has a score of 3, the banker will hit unless the player drew an 8. If the banker has a score of 4, the banker will stand unless the player drew a 2-7. If the banker has a score of 5, the banker will stand unless the player drew a 4-7. And if the banker has a score of 6 the banker will stand unless the player drew a 6 or 7.

Tie: If the player and banker tie, the tie bet pays 8 to 1. Bets on the player or banker push.

Player: If the player wins, the player bet pays even money, 1 to 1.

Banker: If the banker wins, the banker bet pays even money, 1 to 1, less a 5% commission for the dealer.

Dealer commission and tie payout may vary in game variations and promotions. Tie payout is shown on the table. Game information provided is meant to provide a concise and quick overview, it is not meant to convey the game rules in their entirety.

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