Understanding the layout of the Baccarat table goes a long way in explaining the rules of the game, with the three basic bets laid out on the table in front of you: the Player, the Dealer, the Tie.
To be a winner in Live Baccarat, you need to bet on the hand that you think will get closest to a total of 9 points. Your basic betting options are:
- The Player.
- The Dealer.
- The Tie.
All Live Baccarat tables also offer side bet options:
- Pairs: Dealer or player gets a perfect pair, pair, or either one.
- Big: Your bet is a winner if at least 5 or 6 cards are drawn.
- Small: Only a pair of cards are dealt to the dealer and the player.
- Egalite Extra: Bet on the Tie and what the Tie result will be.
Understanding card values is your next step. These are easy to remember: cards from 2 through to 9 are worth their face value in points; 10’s and any picture cards are worth zero points and aces are worth 1 point.
The important rule to remember in Live Baccarat is that the points total can never be a double-digit number. For example, if you are dealt 7 and 8 cards, you’ll end up with 5 points rather than 15. You simply subtract 10 from any double-digit total.
How to Play a Basic Game of Live Baccarat
Sit down at the table and place your bets by choosing any of the betting options available: Player, Dealer, Tie, Pairs, Big, Small, Egalite.
You and the dealer are then each dealt two cards. Individual game rules will dictate how the game plays out in relation to how the first and second cards are dealt - face up or face down (which is also known as a ‘squeeze’ game).
The game is decided on the 3rd card rule. This is dependant on the type of Live Baccarat game you are playing. Basically, the game rules are in control from here on in:
- The player draws a 3rd card with a points total of between zero and five.
- The dealer’s move is explained clearly in the table below:
| Points Total Two Cards | 3rd Card if the Player has: | No 3rd card if the Player has: |
| 3 | 0 to 7 or 9 | 8 |
| 4 | 2 to 7 | 0, 1, 8 or 9 |
| 5 | 4 to 7 | 0, 1, 2, 3, 8 or 9 |
| 6 | 6 to 7 | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 or 9 |
| 7, 8 or 9 | No card | No card |
.svg)
.svg){kind=small}
