Page 22 - Southern California Gaming Guide • May 2020

HOW TO PLAY
The Game
The object of Baccarat is to bet on the two- or three-card hand that totals closest to 9. Players bet on either the Player hand, the Banker hand, or a tie. The Player bet pays even money (1 to 1). The Banker bet pays even money less a 5% commission. The tie bet pays 8 to 1.
The Rules
The card values in Baccarat are simple. Aces are worth 1, 10s and face cards are worth 0, and the rest of the cards are worth their pip value. The value of the cards (two or three) are combined to get the value of the hand, and the maximum value in Baccarat is 9. If the total of the cards in the hand is more than 9, the first digit is dropped. For example, if the hand contained a 9 and an 8, for a total of 17, you would drop the first digit, and the score of the hand would be 7.
The Play
Two cards are dealt for each hand. The point totals determine whether either hand gets a third card. The player hand is completed first.
If either the player or the banker’s hand totals 8 or 9, which is called a “natural,” no more cards will be drawn.
If the player hand totals 6 or 7, the player stands. If the player hand totals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10, a third card is drawn.
If the player does not draw a third card, the banker will draw a third card with a total of 5 or less. If the player does draw a third card, the banker draws a third card based on the score and the value of the third player card (see table).
PLAYER’S THIRD CARD
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
7
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
6
S
S
S
S
S
S
D
D
S
S
5
S
S
S
S
D
D
D
D
S
S
4
S
S
D
D
D
D
D
D
S
S
3
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
S
D
2
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
1
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
0
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
The Strategy
The strategy for Baccarat is very simple: never bet on the tie. Sure, winning bets on a tie pay out at 8 to 1, but the house edge on the tie bet is 14.36% in an eight-deck game. The player bet has a house edge of only 1.24%, and pays out at 1 to 1, and the banker bet has an even lower house edge of 1.06% (because the banker always has a slight advantage); but when you win on the banker bet you pay a 5% commission. The bottom line is that Baccarat is entirely a game of luck — and because it has such a low house edge, it’s one of the best ways to enjoy table games at the casino.
Just remember that Baccarat still has a negative expectation, and in the long run, the casino will always come out ahead. Set a limit to how much you’re willing to lose, and also make sure you lock up your wins!
PAGE 22 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE MAY 2020
BANKER’S SCORE