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In the first few games of baccarat, you will find that sometimes there is no outright winner and a third card must be drawn. There are very specific scenarios as to when the third card is required and who must draw it. This is a breakdown of.
- When a player draws a third card
If the dealer does not win naturally and your 2 hands total 0-5, you will receive a third card. A Player hand total of 6 or 7 means that the dealer must catch a third card, and this is where things get a bit complicated. - When the dealer is dealt a third card. The player always goes first. This means that unless you win naturally, you either have to stop or draw a third card before the dealer’s turn.
- – If the Player does not catch a third card, the dealer will stay on 6 or 7.
- – If the player does not catch a third card, the dealer’s total points are 0-5.
If you draw a third card, the banker acts according to the chart :
| Player’s Third Card | Banker Action |
|---|---|
| 9, 10, J, Q, K, A | Draws on a 0-3, stands on a 4-7 |
| 8 | Draws on a 0-2, stands on a 3-7 |
| 6, 7 | Draws on a 0-6, stands on a 7 |
| 4, 5 | Draws on a 0-5, stands on a 6-7 |
| 2, 3 | Draws on a 0-4, stands on a 5-7 |
The dealer will know when to deal the third card, so you don’t necessarily need to remember this. However, it is helpful to have this on hand when you first learn how to play baccarat.
After all the cards have been dealt, the point values are added up. The player with the closest 9 points wins and pays the bet accordingly.
As you become familiar with how to play Baccarat, you will come across several versions of the game. The players are usually very friendly, especially at the mini-baccarat tables (which we will describe below). But there are a few things to remember that will help make baccarat fun for all participants.
In Mini Baccarat, which is recommended for beginners, do not touch your cards. The dealer will handle them and deal a third card if necessary. The cards are dealt face up, so you don’t have to worry about when to draw or stop.
Grand Baccarat is slightly different and requires more consideration of etiquette. Often you will want to wait until the game is over before taking your seat, and it is a common courtesy to greet the other players at the table. Mini Baccarat is new player friendly, so we recommend playing at these tables before moving up to the larger Baccarat games.
Once you’ve learned how to play and win at baccarat while playing at the casino, remember that the casino takes a 5% commission when you win a dealer’s bet. Always pay this amount before you leave the table. If you want to learn more about how baccarat commissions work and how it affects your outlay, familiarise yourself with the odds of baccarat before you play.
Most casinos offer scorecards. Use them to keep the game going and provide a smoother baccarat experience for everyone.
In casinos you will often find a typical large baccarat table with a capacity of 12-14 players. You may also come across a smaller table with 5-6 mini-baccarat tables, or a medium-sized baccarat table with a maximum of 9 players.
This is not the only difference between the variants. Mini Baccarat is usually a lower stakes version of the game and is ideal if you are in the early stages of learning how to play Baccarat. Medium-sized baccarat is usually found at high-limit tables.
Another difference with midi-baccarat is that in this version of the game, players can handle their own cards, which is not allowed in other baccarat variants.
Ultimately, mini-baccarat and midi-baccarat are more accessible to new players and can be used as stepping stones to standard baccarat. Apart from these minor differences, the rules are basically the same.
Final Rules to Remember for Baccarat
As you can see, learning how to play Baccarat is very easy. The rules and gameplay are easy to understand, and the complexity of baccarat depends on your preference. However, please bear in mind the following rules.
- In baccarat, you bet on who will win, not on your own cards.
- Suits don’t matter. Only the point value of the cards is important.
- Nine is the magic number! The hand closest to 9 wins.
- If your first two cards have a total of 8 or 9 points, you win naturally.
- The player always goes first, followed by the dealer.
- The third card is drawn automatically. You cannot choose when to draw.
Practice Baccarat by Playing for Free Online
Of course, the best way to learn how to play baccarat is to actually try it! Now that you’re familiar with the rules and game play, you can consolidate your baccarat knowledge by playing risk-free on Nextbetsports.