North American Baccarat

Punto Banco (North American Baccarat)is a baccarat variation where the casino is always the banker.This game is mainly played in the United States, Canada, Australia and Macau. Players bet on the 'punto' or the'banco' which merely represents the two hands that are dealt in a single game. All cards are dealt facing down, each to the 'player' and the 'dealer'.

Cards in each hand are totaled and a croupier summed it to determine the winners. Pay out then follows. If no player (player and banker) reaches a total of 8 or 9 on a given deal (known as a 'natural') additional cards need not be drawn. If this situation occurs apply the following rules.

A player will draw another card if the player has a total of 5 and below. He then stands if the initial card total reaches 6 or 7.The banker's action depends on what is in the banker's hand awaiting whether a player will draw a card and if so what is the player's card.

If the player refuses to draw a card then the banker stands if his total is six or seven. If a banker's card is five and below then he gets to draw. If the player gets a 2 or 3, the banker stands if he gets 5-7 and drew if he has four or less. If a player holds a 4 or 5, the banker draws for a card total of five and below and stands if the total is 6 or 7. If the player got a 6 or 7, then the banker will draw if his cards total is six and below and card that totals seven stands.

The croupier announces the winner of the hand and collects losing bets before paying off the winners. Player is paid the usual even money or 1 to1 and a 5% commission is given the house. The dealer gets the commission owed by a player who wishes to leave the game table.

Punto Banco is played in an oval table with 12 to 14 players participating, 2 dealers who takes care of the bets and a croupier who assists in the game. The 'shoe' is passed around to each player. A player holding the 'shoe' acts as the dealer but he can't bank throughout the game. Player-hand card is given to the player who bets the highest.Las Vegas casinos offer a separate rooms for baccarat games for players' ultimate satisfaction.