Baccarat
How the Game is Played
Examples of modulus
Tip for calculating your hand total
- Baccarat is played with 1-14 players at a table, all betting against the dealer.
- Each player is dealt two cards, as is the dealer
- Objective: To have the remainder of the sum of your cards when you divide them by 10 (or modulus), to be as close to 9 as possible
Examples of modulus
- If your two cards are 4, 5, then the sum is 9, so the remainder when you divide by 10 is 9, which is the best hand possible.
- If your two cards are 6, 7, then the sum is 13, so the remainder when you divide by 10 is 3.
Tip for calculating your hand total
- If the sum of your cards is a single digit number, then that number is your total.
- If the sum of your cards is a double digit number, then remove the first digit of that number and the second digit is your total.
- Example: 13 -> 3 16 -> 6
- The player and dealer may be forced to draw a third card in certain situations
- A fourth card is never dealt
- Here is the table that shows when the player and dealer draw third cards
Player's Hand |
Third Card Draw Rules |
Banker's Hand |
Third Card Draw Rules |
0-5
|
Must Draw
|
0-2
|
Must Draw
|
6 or 7
|
Must Stand
|
3-6
|
Depends on Player's 3rd Card
|
8 or 9
|
Both Hands Stand
|
7
|
Must Stand
|
8 or 9
|
Both Hands Stand
|
Casino Etiquette
Steps for Joining the Game
How to Place Bets
Steps for Joining the Game
- If you see and empty seat at the table, go ahead and sit down.
- Wait until the Shoe (marker that indicates whether a hand is in progress) is white, meaning the previous hand is over. Then you are allowed to join the next hand.
How to Place Bets
- You make a bet simply by placing your chips on the PLAYER, BANK, or TIE section of the table.
Optimal Strategy
The beauty of Baccarat is that you only need to make ONE bet. You do not even need to know how the game is played.
Decisions
Answer: ONLY bet on Bank. If you win, you are paid even money on your original bet, minus 5% commission that the House (Casino) takes.
The beauty of Baccarat is that you only need to make ONE bet. You do not even need to know how the game is played.
Decisions
- Whether to bet on Player, Bank, or Tie
Answer: ONLY bet on Bank. If you win, you are paid even money on your original bet, minus 5% commission that the House (Casino) takes.
Baccarat Payout Information (Based on $100 Bet)
Bet Type |
Casino Advantage |
Payout Odds |
What You Are Betting On |
Bank |
1.06%
|
.95 to 1
($95 Profit) |
If you decide to bet on the BANK (which you should!), you are essentially hoping the dealer beats you. This means her hand total is strictly closer to 9 than your total. If you have equal totals or you have a greater total, you lose the bet.
|
Player |
1.24%
|
1 to 1
($100 Profit) |
If you decide to bet on the PLAYER, you are hoping you beat the dealer. This means your hand total is strictly closer to 9 than the dealer's total. If you have equal totals or you have a lower total, you lose the bet.
|
Tie |
14.36%
|
9 to 1
($900 Profit) |
If you decide to bet on the TIE, you are hoping your hand ties the dealer. This means your hand total is strictly equal to the dealer's total. Any other outcome means you lose the bet.
|
Updated June 6, 2013 - Nathan Lord