Punto Banco / Baccarat

Those who master Baccarat love it. Punto Banco is one of the many variations of Baccarat. The game is believed to have originated in Italy, where Baccarat was supposedly played as early as 1400. The goal of the game is reminiscent of Blackjack. It consists of reaching nine points with a maximum of three cards. However, you also win if your score is higher than your opponent’s. Baccarat is characterized by a special counting method, and one of the most appealing features of Baccarat is the opportunity to run the bank yourself.

The goal: As close to 9 as possible

Goal

In Punto Banco/Baccarat, you and your fellow players try to reach as high a number of points as possible (maximum 9) with two or three playing cards. Players have the option of betting on “Banco” (Bank), “Punto” (Player), or a tie (“Tie”).

Gameplay

The croupier draws two open cards, first one for Punto and then one for Banco. This draw is repeated once. Whether a third card is drawn for one or both parties depends on the total value of the first two cards (both for Punto and Banco).

Video game instructions

Draw Rules

  • Punto has 2 cards with a total score of:

    0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 «Punto» gets a third card.
    6, 7 «Punto» does not get a third card.
    8, 9 Neither «Punto» nor «Banco» get a thrird card.

    Banco has 2 cards with a total score of
    0, 1, 2 «Banco» gets a third cardKarte
    3 «Banco» gets a third card only if
    Punto’s third card has a value 8
    4 «Banco» gets a third card only if
    «Punto» has a value of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 oder 7
    5 «Banco» gets a third card if
    the third card for «Punto» has a value of 4, 5, 6 oder 7
    6 «Banco» gets a third card only if
    Punto’s third card has a value of 6 oder 7 hat.
    7 «Banco» Banco does not get a third card
    8, 9 Neither «Punto» nor «Banco» get a third card

Card Values

  • To determine the value of a hand, the points of the cards are added together.

    • Cards numbered 2 through 9 count as their face value.
    • Aces count as 1 point.
    • Tens and all face cards (Jack, Queen, King) count as 0 points.

     

  • For totals with two digits, only the second digit is used.

    Example:

    • 7 + 6 equals 13. The hand value is 3.
    • If the third card is an 8, the total is 11, so the hand value is 1.

     

  • Another example:

    • The Queen, as a face card, counts as 0 points.
    • Add a 9 to it, and the hand value is 9.

     

Locations with Punto Banco / Baccarat

Level of difficulty
Easy to learn. If you have never played baccarat before, we recommend that you get a brief introduction from our Guest Relations staff on site.

Bets
The minimum and maximum bets are displayed at the tables.

Payout
Player bets are paid out at 1:1. Banker bets are also paid out at 1:1. Exception: If the banker wins with a total of 5 points, only half of the bet is paid out. Tie/Egalité is paid out at 8:1.

FAQs / Glossary

In our baccarat glossary, you will find all the important terms and technical words listed and simply explained.

American Baccarat In casinos in America, Baccarat is usually played with 8 decks of cards. This means that 416 cards are in play.
Baccarat Cards Baccarat is normally played with 6 decks of French playing cards. Three decks with light blue and three decks with light pink card backs are used. So there are 312 cards in the game. Deviating regulations are possible and common with different Baccarat variants.
Banco The Banco bet is the bet that the bank will win the game. You bet that the dealer (Banco) has the better cards and win the bet if the Punto (i.e. the player) loses the round. This bet is also called the banker bet.
Banco solo If a single player wants to play alone with the maximum sum against the bank (the Banco), he announces this with "Banco solo". Bets from other players will then not be accepted for this coup.
Banco a deux If two players want to play together with the maximum sum against the bank (the Banco), they announce "Banco a deux". Bets from other players will then not be accepted for this coup.
Banco avec la table If a single player wants to play alone for half the maximum sum against the bank (the Banco), he says "Banco avec la table". Bets from other players will only be accepted for this coup until the other half of the bank's maximum limit is reached.
Cheval A non-binding rule according to which the player can play two hands and must win both hands in order to win. If one hand is won and the other hand is lost, the game is considered a draw.
Coup A complete round of a Baccarat game.
Croupier Casino employee who plays the hand of the banker at Baccarat and supervises the gaming table.
Exclusivity Baccarat has long been called the game of kings, and in casinos, the target group was long the exclusive clientele. The times when Baccarat was the game of the beautiful and the rich are over, but some casinos still make an effort to maintain a touch of exclusivity. Separate, nicely equipped Baccarat areas in the casino and tables where you can only play by invitation are examples of this.
La Grande A hand with a score of 9, i.e. the best possible score in Baccarat.
Mini-Baccarat Mini-Baccarat is not an independent game, but only a different marketing strategy in casinos. Mini-Baccarat has lower stakes and in casinos, the mini-Baccarat tables are usually located in the area of the Black-Jack tables, while the normal Baccarat has its own area, which is often intimidating for beginners and players who prefer lower stakes.
Naturel If a score of 8 or 9 is achieved with the first two cards, it is called a Naturel.
Punto The Punto bet is the bet that the Punto (the player) will win the game. You bet that the player has the better cards and win the bet if the banker (i.e. the Banco) loses the round.
Tax In some casinos the tax (fee) that has to be paid to the bank is either 2.5 to 5% of the amount brought in to play or is calculated from the profit. In that case it is 2%.
Tie The tie bet is betting on a draw. You bet that neither Banco nor Punto will win the game. If you win, you will be paid out the amount of 8 to 1. Only about 10% of all Baccarat games end with a tie, and the bank advantage is greatest with tie bets.
Card values The ten and the face cards each count as 0 points. The ace counts as 1 point. The other cards count according to their printed value. For double-digit point totals, only the second digit counts.