Baccarat Game Rules
The appeal of baccarat lies both in its uniqueness and the fact that it remains one of the simplest of all the pastimes in the gambling world. But while the rules are easy enough to understand, it is still necessary for players to put what they have learned into practice. This can be done by downloading free software from online casinos and applying the game theory to a real, exciting game of baccarat.
The Objective of Baccarat
To wager on who between two figures in the game will reach a total nearest to nine on the total value of their dealt cards.
The Basics of Baccarat
Baccarat is played around a custom table that can hold up to 14 players. Players around the table place bets on who between the Banco (banker) or Punto (player) will reach nearest to the total of nine on their dealt cards. Players can also bet on a tie. While players can take turns in being dealers in the game, they essentially don’t have much role in the gaming process other than watching to see the outcome and claiming any of their winnings.
Baccarat Card Values
All cards in baccarat have a certain value. 10, Jack, Queen and King come with a value of 10. An Ace is valued at 1. All other cards keep their face value. If the Banco or Punto are dealt cards that total more than ten, the ten digit is automatically dropped. A total of 12, therefore, will mean a renewed card value of 2.
Playing out the Game of Baccarat
Both the Banco and the Punto are dealt two cards. They add the total value of these two cards (eg. an Ace and a four will give a total of five). If they are dealt an eight or a nine in total, they will automatically stand. If the Punto is dealt a six or seven, he stands. If the Punto stands, the Banco needs to hit on any value up to and including five. However, if the Punto is dealt up to and including a total of value of five, he is dealt another card.
The Banco will draw a third card under certain circumstances only. If the Banco is dealt 0, 1 or 2, he needs to draw a third card. If the Banco is dealt a 3, he draws if the Punto’s third card is anything except an 8. If he is dealt a 4, he draws if the Punto’s third card is anything between 2 and 7, inclusive. If he is dealt a 5, he draws if the Punto’s third card is 4, 5, 6 or 7. If he is dealt a 6, he draws if the third card is 6 or 7. Finally, if the Banco’s cards total 7, he needs to stand.
Winning at Baccarat
The winner is either the Banco or the Punto whose cards value are nearest to the number nine. Baccarat players around the table are thereafter paid out according to the results of the game, depending on whether they guessed that the Banco would win, the Punto would win or whether there would be a tie between the two.