Baccarat

Direct Answer

Baccarat (Punto Banco) is a standard casino card game where players bet on whether the 'Player' hand or 'Banker' hand will achieve a point total closest to 9, or on a Tie. Cards 2–9 are face value, 10s and face cards count as 0, and Aces count as 1. Fixed mathematical tableau rules dictate when a third card must be drawn.

Source: Nevada Gaming Control Board / Macau Gaming Inspection Regulations · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026

Specs

Standard Shoe Size	6 or 8 decks
Target Score	Closest to 9 modulo 10
Cards 2–9 Value	Face Value points
10, J, Q, K Value	0 points
Ace Value	1 point
Banker Bet Payout	1:1 (minus 5% commission)
Player Bet Payout	1:1
Tie Bet Payout	8:1 (or 9:1 at select tables)
Banker House Edge	1.06% lowest edge
Player House Edge	1.24%
Tie House Edge	14.36% (at 8:1) unfavorable

Scoring System (Modulo 10)

In Baccarat, hand values are calculated by summing all card values and dropping the tens digit (modulo 10):

Example: 7 + 8 = 15 -> Hand value is 5.
Example: 9 + King (0) = 9 -> Natural 9.
Naturals: If either Player or Banker is dealt an 8 or 9 on the initial two cards, both hands stand; no third cards are drawn.

Player Third-Card Drawing Rules

If neither side has a natural (8 or 9), the Player hand acts first according to strict predetermined rules:

Total 0–5: Player MUST draw a third card.
Total 6–7: Player MUST stand.
Total 8–9: Natural; both stand.

Banker Third-Card Drawing Tableau

If the Player stood on two cards (6 or 7), the Banker draws on 0–5 and stands on 6–7. If the Player drew a third card, the Banker draws based on the Banker's total and the Player's third card value:

Banker Total 0–2: Always draws a third card.
Banker Total 3: Draws unless Player's 3rd card was an 8.
Banker Total 4: Draws if Player's 3rd card was 2–7.
Banker Total 5: Draws if Player's 3rd card was 4–7.
Banker Total 6: Draws if Player's 3rd card was 6 or 7.
Banker Total 7: Always stands.