Cards and Values: Baccarat is usually played with 8 decks of cards shuffled together, although games also exist, particularly online, with six or four decks, or even one. The cards are housed in and dealt from a contraption called the Shoe. Kings, Queens, Jacks, and 10s have a value of zero. Aces are worth 1 point and 2s through 9s are worth their number values.
The Bets First: All players at the table first place their bets on the Player (the one doing the dealing at the time,) the Banker, or a Tie.
The Deal: The Dealer deals two cards each to the Banker and to himself or herself.
The Count: Both the Dealer and the Banker total their cards. A hand’s value will always be between 0 and 9. If the total exceeds 9, the hand’s value is only the right-hand number of the total; for example, a hand with a 7 and an 8, which add up to 15, has a value of 5. A two-card hand totaling 9 is called a “Natural,” and wins.
Stand or Hit: Both the Banker and the Player must Stand (saying “non,” French for “no”)—that is, stay put with the cards they were dealt—with a value of 8 or 9. The Player must take a Hit (saying “carte,” French for “card”)—that is, add another card—with a total of 5 or less, but can also take a Hit with a higher value. When the Player finally stands, whether with two or three cards, the Banker must take a Hit on a hand totaling 5 or less.
When the Banker Should Hit: When the Player takes a Hit, rules require that the Banker then must take a Hit under the following conditions: always with a score of 0, 1, or 2; always with a score of 3 except when the Player’s third card is an 3; with a score of 4 when the Player’s third card is a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7; with a score of 5 only when the Player’s third card is a 4, 5, 6, or 7; with a score of 6 only when the Player’s third card is a 6 or 7; and never with a score of 7.
The Winner: Final scores are compared, with the higher score winning. A winning bet on the Banker is paid 19 to 20 (the equivalent of even money, minus a 5% commission). A winning bet on the Player pays 1 to 1. A winning bet on a Tie commonly pays 8 to 1.
