How To

Standard Baccarat Rules

Baccarat is simple to learn, but its simplicity masks a game that’s tormented players for centuries and resulted in mountains of cash changing hands. While modern innovations allow the game to be played in the privacy of your own home, the stereotypical depiction of a baccarat game includes elegantly-dressed individuals competing in the high roller section of a casino. 

All games of baccarat are determined by comparing the total of the player’s hand with the total of the dealer’s hand. The hand with the higher total is declared the winner (9 being the highest possible score), and there are three possible outcomes: Player win, Banker win, Tie. 

Cards have the following point values:

1. Aces are worth 1 point
2. Kings, Queens, Jacks, and 10s are worth 0 points
3. 2s through 9s are worth their face value
4. Jokers are not used in baccarat

Baccarat has a unique system for determining the value of a hand (also known as a “coup”). Begin by adding up the values of the cards. If the total equals one digit, then this is our total. If it equals two digits, then take only the value of the right digit to determine your total. Here are a couple of examples:

1. If you have a king and 10, the value of your hand is 0. That’s because both of these cards are worth 0 points.
2. If you have a pair of 9s, the value of the hand is 8. That’s because 8 is the right digit in the original total of 18.
3. If you have a 2 and 7, then you have a total of 9.

Playing baccarat with a live dealer at a land-based casino is to be expected, but some online casinos are now offering the option. While you can’t chat or otherwise interact with the dealer on the other side of your monitor, is does provide a welcome change from stale computer graphics.

This is accomplished with streaming technology, and it’s traditional for dealers to use oversized cards to make sure the player can see what’s going on. When the player makes a wager or in-game decision, these actions are relayed to the house.