Baccarat Rules Step by Step (Punto Banco)
Punto Banco is the world's most-played baccarat variant. From card values to the third-card rule, we walk through every rule in the order it happens at the table — no myths, just mechanics.
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Baccarat looks mysterious at the table — giant score sheets, a croupier calling out cards, and bets named Player, Banker and Tie without it being clear who plays whom. Mechanically it's simpler than blackjack: you make exactly one decision per round (which of the three bets), everything else runs on fixed rules.
Before your first hand. Punto Banco (the dominant variant worldwide, including EU casinos) offers three bets: Player, Banker, Tie. Player and Banker aren't people — they're two card positions on the table that any bettor can back. The croupier deals and turns every card; you only decide where your chip goes.
Card values. Ace = 1. 2–9 = face value. 10, J, Q, K = 0. The hand value is the last digit of the sum: 7+8=15 → 5. 4+6=10 → 0. There are no values above 9. This single rule is the core of baccarat.
Round flow (fixed order). Bet: chips on Player, Banker or Tie. First deal: Player position gets two face-up cards, Banker position the same. Instant win on a 'Natural': if either side already totals 8 or 9, the round ends and the higher total wins.
Third-card rule for Player. If Player has 0–5 (and Banker has no 8/9), Player automatically draws a third card. At 6 or 7: Player stands. No one decides — the croupier draws per the rules.
Third-card rule for Banker. Only if Player did not draw: Banker draws on 0–5, stands on 6/7. If Player did draw, a specific matrix applies: Banker with 0/1/2 always draws. With 3, Banker draws unless Player's third card was an 8. With 4, only if Player's third was 2–7. With 5, only on 4–7. With 6, only on 6/7. At 7, always stand. The table is printed at the felt — you don't need to memorise it, but it explains why Banker wins more often.
Payouts. Player wins: 1:1. Banker wins: 1:1 minus 5% commission (0.95:1). Tie: 8:1 (some casinos 9:1). Losing side pays the stake. On a tie, Player and Banker bets push (stake returned); only Tie bets win.
Why the 5% commission on Banker? Because the third-card rules give Banker a statistical edge (Banker wins ~45.86% of rounds, Player 44.62%, rest tie). Without commission, Banker would be strictly better and no one would bet Player. With commission: Banker house edge 1.06%, Player 1.24%, Tie 14.36%.
What that means for you. Banker is statistically the best bet — a house edge lower than blackjack played without basic strategy. Player is nearly identical. Tie is a mathematical trap: the 8:1 payout looks attractive but doesn't compensate for the 9.52% probability. The house-edge calculator works it out concretely.
Score sheets and 'patterns'. The red and blue markings on the big screens are histories of the last rounds. They have no predictive value — each round is independent (freshly shuffled shoes, usually 6–8 decks). Betting 'Banker was 6 in a row, Player next' is the classic gambler's fallacy.
Common variants. Mini-baccarat: smaller table, lower limits, croupier handles all cards. Squeeze/Big Baccarat: players turn cards themselves — pure ritual, no rules change. Live baccarat online: identical rules, streamed from studios (Evolution, Pragmatic) with published RTP figures.
Bankroll guidance. Baccarat has medium variance (lower than slots, higher than blackjack with basic strategy). A ~2h session at €10/hand typically needs a €250–400 bankroll. The bankroll simulator shows the distribution of outcomes.
Bottom line. Baccarat looks complex but is one of the simplest casino games: one decision per round (Banker), fixed flow, low house edge. Bet Banker, avoid Tie, and you take the mathematical maximum out of the game. Everything else is theatre.