Objective
Each round, called a coup, two hands are dealt: one for Player and one for Banker. The names are just labels. Everyone at the table bets on which hand will finish closer to nine, or that the two will tie. The hand with the higher total wins, and bets are paid out at fixed odds.
Setup
Card values are simple. Aces count 1, twos through nines count face value, and tens and face cards count zero. A hand is worth only the last digit of its total, so a 7 and an 8 (15) is worth 5, and a king and a 9 is worth 9. No hand can ever be worth more than nine.
Shuffle the decks together and load them into a shoe or keep them in a squared pile. One person deals, and at home the deal usually passes around the table. Before each coup, every player places a bet on Player, Banker or Tie.
How to play
Deal two cards face up to Player and two to Banker. If either hand totals 8 or 9, that is a natural, nobody draws, and the higher hand wins.
Otherwise Player acts first. Player draws a third card on 0 to 5 and stands on 6 or 7. If Player stood, Banker follows the same rule: draw on 0 to 5, stand on 6 or 7. If Player drew a third card, Banker’s move depends on its own total and on the card Player just drew, as shown below. Neither hand ever takes more than three cards.
- 1Place your bet on Player, Banker or Tie
- 2Deal two cards to each hand
- 3Stop on a natural 8 or 9
- 4Draw third cards by the fixed rules, then pay the winners
| Banker total | Banker draws when Player’s third card is |
|---|---|
| 0, 1 or 2 | Anything (always draws) |
| 3 | Anything except an 8 |
| 4 | 2 through 7 |
| 5 | 4 through 7 |
| 6 | 6 or 7 |
| 7 | Never: Banker stands |
Nobody at the table makes a choice once the cards are out. The drawing rules are automatic, which is why a fast dealer can finish a coup in under a minute.
Scoring
Winning bets are paid at fixed odds. When the hands tie, bets on Player and Banker are returned and only the Tie bet wins.
| Bet | Pays |
|---|---|
| Player | 1 to 1 (even money) |
| Banker | 1 to 1, less a 5% commission |
| Tie | 8 to 1 at most tables |
The commission exists because Banker wins slightly more often than Player, thanks to acting second. Some casinos pay 9 to 1 on the Tie. At home, play for chips and let whoever runs out last, or holds the most after an agreed number of coups, take the night.
Variations
Chemin de fer: the European original. Players take turns holding the bank, and the person holding the Player hand may choose whether to draw on a total of 5.
Mini-Baccarat: the same rules as Punto Banco on a smaller table with lower limits, and the dealer handles every card.
No-commission baccarat: Banker bets are paid even money, but a Banker win on one particular total (often a three-card 7) only pushes or pays reduced odds. The exact rule depends on the house.
Tips from the table
The Banker bet has the lowest house edge in the game, about 1.06% even after commission. Player is close behind at about 1.24%.
The Tie bet looks tempting at 8 to 1, but its house edge is over 14%. Treat it as a novelty, not a habit.
Scorecards and pattern tracking are part of the ritual at many tables, but each coup is a fresh deal. Past results do not predict the next one.
Video Guides Are on the Way
We’re filming Game Guides that walk through full hands at the table, from the deal to the score.
Frequently asked
Do I play the Player hand if I bet on Player?
No. Player and Banker are just the names of the two hands. Your bet rides on the result; the dealer follows the drawing rules for both.
What is a natural?
A two-card total of 8 or 9. If either hand has one, no more cards are drawn and the coup is settled at once.
Why does the Banker bet pay a commission?
Banker draws second and wins a little more often than Player. The 5% commission evens that out in the house’s favor.
Can I play baccarat at home?
Yes. One or two decks work fine. Take turns dealing, play for chips, and use the drawing table above so nobody has to remember it.
New rules every month
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