Baccarat is a card game in which guests commonly wager on whether the Player hand or Banker hand will have the higher total, or whether the hands will tie. The names describe the hands, not the people who place the wagers. Here are the scoring conventions and table terms to know.
- Format
- Card game
- Main outcomes
- Player, Banker or tie
- First check
- Payouts and table rules
How the cards count
In a common baccarat format, aces count as one, cards two through nine count at face value, and tens and face cards count as zero. Only the final digit of a hand’s total counts: for example, a total of fifteen becomes five. The hand closest to nine wins, unless both totals are equal.
Cards are dealt to the Player and Banker hands according to the game’s rules. Depending on the initial totals, a third card may be drawn under fixed rules. The dealer follows those rules; guests do not decide whether either hand should draw.
Understanding the choices
The Player and Banker labels refer to positions in the game. You may see spaces for a Player wager, a Banker wager and a tie wager. Each is settled according to the outcome and its own payout conditions. Read the table’s displayed rules and ask what happens to a main wager when the result is a tie.
A Banker win commonly carries a commission in traditional baccarat, but alternative versions can use different payout arrangements. Do not assume two tables with similar layouts have identical terms. Optional side bets, if offered, have separate rules and payouts.
Following a round
Once bets are placed and betting closes, the dealer deals the hands and announces their totals. After any required third cards, the dealer settles the bets and prepares for the next round. Observing a hand can help you see where wagers go and when the dealer accepts them.
Wait for the dealer’s signal before placing or moving chips. Keep hands clear after betting closes and let the dealer handle the cards unless the table specifically instructs otherwise. Staff can explain the procedure and the posted limits.
Plan for a comfortable visit
The pace, table minimums and available versions vary between venues. Check the actual rules and ask about accessibility or seating before choosing a table. A simple layout does not make the outcome predictable, and a record of earlier results does not determine the next hand.
Choose an amount and a period of time you are comfortable spending before you play, and stop when either limit is reached. Confirm the venue’s current age and identification requirements and its game availability before travelling.
Baccarat questions
Do I play the Player hand myself?
No. Player is the name of a hand; the dealer follows the game’s drawing rules.
What does a total of fifteen count as?
In the common scoring convention, it counts as five: only the last digit is used.
Are Banker payouts always identical?
No. Commission and payout arrangements vary by version and table.
General rules and etiquette. Table-specific rules take precedence. Editorial reference: OLG PlaySmart.
