The Rules
The object of Baccarat is to predict which of two hands will have a point value closest to 9. In Baccarat, face cards and 10s count as zero, aces count as one, and all other cards keep their face values. Hand point values are determined by adding the point values of the cards dealt and looking at the last digit of the sum. For example, a 9 and a 5 in a hand would total 14. Dropping the first digit leaves a 4, which represents the hand’s value.

Baccarat requires little or no skill. Once bets have been placed and the cards have been dealt, the player has no further effect on the outcome of the hand. The real "skill" of Baccarat comes in predicting which of the three possible outcomes (Banker win, Player win, or Tie) will occur. Many strategies for streak betting have been theorized and tested, and not surprisingly none have proven to work over the long run.

Card Point Values
Ace = 1
2-9 = face value
10's and Face Cards = 0

If a hand exceeds 10 points then 10 is subtracted from the total. For example, a 5 and 6 would equal 1 point (5+6 = 11, 11 - 10 = 1).

How to Play
There are three betting areas on the Baccarat table: Player, Banker, and Tie. To begin play, place a wager on one or more of these areas.

All Baccarat hands consist of two initial cards with specific rules governing whether a third card is dealt.

When the point value of the first two cards dealt equals 8 or 9, the hand is called a "natural". The only hand that will beat a natural 8 is a natural 9. If either the Player or the Banker hand is a natural, the opposite hand does not draw a third card, no matter that hand's value.

A tie results in the return of both Player and Banker bets.

Third Card Situations
The game will automatically deal a third card in the following situations:

For the Player
The Player hand totals 0 through 5 (unless the Banker has a natural).

For the Banker
If the Banker hand totals:
3, and the Player hand stands on 6 or 7 or the Player draws an Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 9.

4, and the Player hand stands on 6 or 7 or the Player draws a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.

5, and the Player hand stands on 6 or 7 or the Player draws a 4, 5, 6 or 7

6, and the Player hand stands on 6 or 7. The Banker always stands if the Player stands on 6 or 7.

The Banker will always draw a 3rd card when the first two cards total 0, 1 or 2 (except when Player's first 2 cards equal 8 or 9).

The Odds: Inside Scoop
Following are the odds of each of the three bet types. Since the player has no real influence over the outcome of the game, these odds remain the same for each discrete hand that is dealt.

Banker 45.8%
Player 44.6%
Tie 9.6%

Payouts
Both Player and Banker bets are paid at 1 to 1. However, due to the slight advantage for the Banker (see odds above), the House takes a 5% commission (also called a Vig) from each winning hand bet on the Banker. Tie bets are paid at 9 for 1.

The Scorecard
Your Baccarat scorecard is located in the upper right hand part of the screen.

Checkmarks on the scorecard denote the winners of the last ten games played during your current session. A running total of all games played during your session is displayed at the bottom of the card