Baccarat - Game Rules & Guide

Everything you need to learn about playing Baccarat online is here. Use our tutorial and you'll equip yourself with all the knowledge you'll require to competently play the game to win.

A Brief History

The origins of Baccarat go a long way back. In fact way back to the Middle Ages. The game itself has its origins in Italy (the word Baccarat in Italian means (0) zero) but it soon spread to France where it became very popular with the French aristocracy and was known as Chemin de Fer.

Chemin de fer is essentially the same game as today's casino game of baccarat, but one of the players banks the game, rather than the casino.

The modern American version of the game actually originated in England spread to South America and was introduced at the 'infamous' Dunes Casinos in the late 50's after the government of Cuba at that time decided to close all their casinos.

Ever since the middle ages Baccarat has been considered the game of the rich, high rollers and of course not forgetting James Bond. However in order to put the game within the reach of the rest of us, mini Baccarat was invented. This is essentially the same as the 'big' game except that it is played at a blackjack size table.

Baccarat Game Guide

On the left you'll see a Baccarat table which is typical of the those you'll find online. Some variations in the color and style etc may be found but essentially they are similar in appearance.

The idea of the game is very simple. Two hands are dealt in Baccarat namely The Banker's hand and the Player's hand. Prior to each deal, the player wagers on whether the Player's hand or the Banker's hand is closest to a total of 9.

The player also has the option to wager on a tie (i.e. both the banker's and player's hands total the same). 8 decks of 52 cards are used.

How To Play

Bets are placed. At online casinos these are normally $1, $5, $25, $100, $500. After the best have been placed the player and the Banker receive two cards each.

All tens and picture cards are worth zero, aces are worth 1, and all other cards are worth their face value. If the value of cards exceeds 9, then the value is adjusted by subtracting 10 from the total.

For example
9 + 7 = 16 Hand Total is 6
10 + 9 = 19 Hand Total is 9 or a "natural" 9

After the first two cards are dealt to both the Player and Dealer, a third additional card may be dealt but the player does not ask for a third card. All additional cards are subject to a "Third Card Rule".

No hand receives more than three cards. When the Player and Banker hands equal the same total, the hand is declared a Tie. If the value of the cards in either the Player's Hand or the Banker's Hand is an 8 or a 9 (a "natural") after receiving their initial two cards then no more cards shall be dealt to either hand.

If the value of the cards in the Banker's hand on the first two cards is 0 to 7 inclusive, the Player's hand shall draw in accordance with the "Third Card Rules".

"The Third Card Rules"
If the players two cards total:
0 - 5 Player must draw
6 - 7 Player must stand
8 - 9 "Natural" (both hands stand)

After the players hand has acted the Bankers hand receives a third card according to these rules as outlined below: