Rules Of The Road

For those who want to understand the rules, baccarat is really rather simple. Since the object is to get the closest to nine, the perfect hand is one that totals nine in the first two cards. A face card and a Nine, a Seven and a Deuce, a Five and a Fourƒ it doesn't matter. If it adds up to nine, you've got an unbeatable hand.

Eight is the second-best hand and, along with the nine, constitutes the two "natural" hands. They are each non-drawing hands-requiring no third cards. The only hand that will beat a natural eight is a natural nine. Each hand can, of course, be tied by one of the same value in the first two cards. If either the Player hand or the Banker hand has a natural eight or nine, the opposite hand cannot draw a third card, no matter what the value.

Each hand stands on seven, and the Player hand never draws on six.

The Player always draws when it has five or less (so long as the Banker does not have a natural eight or nine), and the Banker hand may draw on three through six, depending upon what the Player draws. Each hand always draws a third card when having two or less (three or less for the Player), so long as the opposing hand is not a natural.

This is where the rules get confusing. The Banker hand will draw on a six, when the Player hand draws a Six or a Seven. For example, let's say the Player hand totals three, and the Banker hand totals six. The Player draws first and if it draws a six or seven, the Banker hand must draw a third card. Even though a Seven would reduce the Player's hand to zero, the Banker is still required to draw, according to the rules.

The accompanying chart will explain the "third card rules," but, once again, it is not necessary to memorize these rules. The croupier will announce the results and rarely make mistakes. If he does, there are at least six other people and surveillance employees observing the game. You won't get cheated.

The following are the third card rules for the Player's hand.

The Player hand always draws on zero through five.

The Player hand stands on six and seven.

The following are the third card rules for the Banker's hand. The Banker will draw if it totals:

three, and the Player's hand stands on six or seven, or draws Ace, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Nine, or Ten; four, and the Player's hand stands on six or seven, or draws Two, Three, Four, Five, Six or Seven; five, and the Player's hand stands on six or seven, or draws Four, Five, Six or Seven; six, and the Player draws a six or seven. The Banker always stands if the Player stands on six or seven.

The difference between baccarat and chemin de fer occurs when the Banker has a five. In baccarat, the Banker is required to take another card under certain rules, but in chemin de fer, the Banker can decide not to take a third card under those situations.