A Simplified Guide to Baccarat Card Drawing

Baccarat rules are simple enough to understand, but some newbies still have trouble coming to terms with the stipulations regarding when a player must hit or stand. Before you play, you need to have this down pat.

So here are the rules for card drawing (note: you can draw one card per hand):

First you should know that Baccarat rules state that the total of all cards are reduced to one digit (i.e., if you get 6 and 5, the total would be 4 because 1 + 3 =4).

The rules for the Player is as follows: if the total is 5 or less, you must draw one more card. If it is 6 or higher (including 9 of course) you have to stand.

If you are the banker, then you have to draw another card if your initial cards add up to two or lower. For other values, the following regulations and stipulations apply.

If the banker has a 3, he or she will draw if the player's last card consists of anything between 2 and 8. If the banker holds a four a draw is a must if the player's card is a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. A banker with a card total of five will draw if the player holds a card between 4 and 6; for a six card total, the banker gets a card only if the player had a 6 or 7. An 8 or higher and the banker stands.

These Baccarat rules sound more complicated than they really are. All new players will think that it is confusing but after a few hands it will become second nature to them.

The reason this is important is that in most variants, these drawing card rules must be followed by the player without exception. If you disregard this baccarat rule, you will incur the ire of the other players and also the casino. It is not just a question of conduct unbecoming, but it could seriously affect the other players.

This rule is also in effect when you play on the Internet. Of course if you are playing home games with your friends, you can change the rules and allow for players to draw or not as they please. But in traditional Baccarat these guidelines are always implemented, and in casinos players do not even have to be reminded of this fact. The only possible exception to this rule is Chemin de Fer, because in that game, the banker does not have to abide by the complex drawing rules as in other versions, meaning the person assigned that role can hit or stand anytime, for any reason. In other Baccarat types like Punto Banco the traditional regulations are enforced.

Once you have understood the rules for drawing cards in Baccarat, you will have understood the most complex part of the game. Everything else is automated, performed by the dealer, so you just have to pick between Player and Banker, and watch your bankroll grow as you win.