3. Game Rules of Baccarat

The objective in Live Baccarat is to predict whose hand will win by having the value closest to 9.

Baccarat is played with eight decks, each deck having 52 cards without jokers, with backs of the same colour and design and two cutting cards; one placed at the back of all the decks and one that cuts seven cards from the back of the stack. It shall be dealt from a dealing shoe specifically designed for such purpose.


3.1 Definitions

Banker’s hand
The hand played in that portion designated on the layout for the banker’s hand.

Player’s hand
The hand played in that portion designated on the layout for the player’s hand.

Natural
The hand with a point count of 8 or 9, in the original 2 cards.

Tie
When both the Player and the Banker’s hands have the same point count.

Point count
The "Point Count" of a hand shall be a single digit number from 0 to 9 inclusive and shall be determined by totalling the value of the cards in the hand. If the total of the cards in a hand is a two-digit number, the left digit of such number shall be disregarded having no value and the right digit shall constitute the Point Count of the hand.


3.2 How to Play

Card values are as follows:

- Aces are the lowest cards and are worth 1 point each.
- Cards from 2 to 9 are worth their numerical face values.
- 10s and face cards (jacks, queens and kings) are each worth 0.

Only the numeric value of each card is relevant, the card’s suit is irrelevant for the game result.

Before the dealer starts dealing the cards, you must place your bet on whether the Player or Banker will win the game by having the hand with value closest to 9.
There is the option to bet that the game will end with a Tie (Player and Banker with the same value).

Two cards are delt for the Players and two cards for the Banker:
- If either the player or banker has a “natural” 8 or 9, both automatically stand, no exceptions.
- If the player's total is 6 or 7, the player stands.
- If the player stands, the banker hits on a total of 5 or less.
- If the player's total is 5 or less, the player automatically hits, and the dealer gives the player a third card.
- If the player receives a third card, the banker draws a third card according to the following:

• Banker's hand totals 0,1,2: Banker always draws a third card.
• Banker's hand totals 3: Banker draws if Player's third card is 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-9-0 (not 8)
• Banker totals 4: Banker draws if Player thirds 2-3-4-5-6-7
• Banker 5: Banker draws if Player thirds 4-5-6-7
• Banker 6: Banker draws if Player thirds 6-7
• Banker 7: Banker stands