How to Play and Win American Baccarat: Rules and Strategies

American baccarat is the most popular variation of the game as it is played and loved in the USA, Canada, Australia and some other countries, including European ones. Usually, American baccarat (it is also called to be Punto Banco) is considered to be the traditional and the main baccarat variation which was the origin of the whole baccarat "family" though it is not actually true.

American baccarat was born at the beginning of the 20^th century when baccarat had come to this country from France as Chemin de Fer; some original rules of the game had been changed by Americans, and American baccarat was created in such a way. Today it is possible to find some variations of American baccarat (Mini-baccarat for example) which are played both in online casinos and land-based ones.

Let the game begin!

What is the main point and goal of American baccarat? Well, it is not very difficult to answer this question: to get nine points and win some money as a result. American baccarat is played at the traditional three dealer baccarat table where 14 players maximum can take part in.

The game is played with six or eight decks of cards (though sometimes it is possible to meet one-deck baccarat game at the online casinos), and four cards are dealt to a player and a banker.

All these 4 cards are dealt faced down and in the following turn:

• First card is dealt to a player
• Second one - to a banker
• Then, the third card goes to a player again
• And, finally, the fourth one goes to a banker again

Note! You have only three possible variants to bet on: Player, Banker or Tie. Remember, that all bets are usually made before the cards are dealt!

Let's count the results

So, after the cards are dealt, it is a high time to count the results and determine the winner at last. In American baccarat the next options are chosen according to what cards a player and a banker have because there are some moments which can bring one of them the right to take one more card to his hand and get a chance to improve the situation somehow. So, what do we have?

• 1.   If a player or a banker has 8 or 9 points, the game is finished and the winner is determined at once.
• 2.   If a player has 5 points or less, he receives a chance to take the third card.
• 3.   If a player has 6 or 7 points, he finishes the game and does not take any other cards.
• 4.   A banker's options depend on how many points a player has and whether he takes the third card or not. So:
  • If a banker has 5 points or less and a player does not take a third card, then a banker has a right to take the third card; if a banker has 6 or 7 points - he stands
  • If the third card of a player is 2 or 3 and a banker has 4 points or less, he can take the third card
  • If a player's third card is 4 or 5 and a banker has 5 points or less, then he can take the third card
  • If the third card of a player is 6 or 7 and a banker has 6 points or less, he receives a right to take the third card
  • If a player's third card is 8 and a banker's points are 2 or less, then a banker takes the third card
  • When a player receives the third card which is 9, 10, face card or an Ace, then a banker can take a third card if his points are 3 and less

Commission

So, let's imagine that you've won! Congratulations! But what money will you receive for your winning depends on what bet you had made:

• If you bet on Player - 1,24% advantage to a house
• If you bet on Banker- 1,06% + 5% advantage to a house
• If you bet on Tie - 14,4% advantage to a house