In Baccarat your objective is to get a hand that is closer to 9 in value than the banker's. If the total of the hand is greater than 10, then 10 is subtracted from the total. (Thus the value of a hand is always between 0 through 9)

• If the players cards total 15, 10 is subtracted and the value of the hand becomes 5.
• An ace counts as 1, two counts as 2, three as 3, etc. - but tens (also jacks, queens and kings) count as 0.

Baccarat at 888 Casino

To begin a hand both the player and banker are dealt two cards face down with the next action depending on the cards in the hands.

If the player or banker has a two-card total of 8 or 9, they turns the cards over immediately. The other must do so also. (In online baccarat cards are always face up) A 9 value wins over any lesser total, and if neither player has a 9 then 8 wins over any lesser total. Tied 9s or tied 8s are a tie.

If neither the player or the banker has a natural (a total of 8 or 9) then play goes to the player. The player stands on a total of 6 or 7, but if the player has a total of 5 or less he/she must draw one card (face up).

Now it is the bankers turn. With a total of 7, he stands. With a total of 6 or less, his selection depends on the value of his two card total and the value of the card that the player drew. The rules are as follows:

The game must be played by the rules, there are no decisions for either the player or the dealer.

Player Rules
Value held	Action
0 (10, J, Q, K) 1 2 3 4 5	Draws a card
6 7	Stands
8 9	Turns cards over

Dealer Rules
Value held	Draws When Giving	Does Not Draw When Giving
0 (10, J, Q, K) 1 2	Draws a card	Draws a card
3	0 (10, J, Q, K)-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-9	8
4	2-3-4-5-6-7	0 (10, J, Q, K)-1-8-9
5	4-5-6-7	0 (10, J, Q, K)-1-2-3-8-9
6	6-7	0 (10, J, Q, K)-1-2-3-4-5-8-9
7	Stands	Stands
8	Turns cards over	Turns cards over

Baccarat has a very reasonable set of odds for the player. On player bets the house has a small edge, to compensate for this the house takes a commission (usually 5 percent) on winning bank bets.

Bets are made prior to any cards being dealt. The banker plays against only one player at a time, but any or all the other players may bet on the hand.

Winning player and bank bets pay even money (excluding commissions). Hands that result in a tie pay off tie wagers at 8 to 1 and a bank or player bet is treated as a push with the money sitting on the table for the next hand.