Baccarat Table

BACCARAT TABLE AND LAYOUT
Kidney-shaped to allow room for the dealers to reach out and handle both the bets and the cards, the baccarat table itself is about twelve feet long and three to four feet wide. The green baize covering is stenciled with a baccarat layout providing numbered boxes in front of each chair for players to wager on either the banker or player hand. The places are numbered from one to fifteen, with thirteen omitted, as few gamblers would be willing to sit and play at that traditionally unlucky spot.

The modern version of the ancient game of baccarat is played with eight decks, shuffled by the caller, cut by a player, and placed in a dealing box called a shoe, after the insertion of a cut card near the end of the combined decks to indicate the last hand. The shoe is then passed to a player at seat number one, who becomes the banker, although he may bet either hand. The shoe moves counterclockwise around the table each time the bank hand loses. Any player who becomes the banker may elect to pass the bank, then or at the completion of any hand, but to be eligible to deal, the banker must have at least a minimum bet on the table in either position.

After all wagers are placed, the banker alternately deals out four cards, facedown, first to the caller, who slides the cards to a player (traditionally the largest bettor for that hand), and second to himself, sliding these banker's cards under a corner of the shoe. The player then turns over his two cards and tosses them to the caller, who announces the total. Following this, the banker uncovers the two cards that were tucked under the corner of the shoe, and their value is called out by the croupier. The four suits have no meaning. At this point, a decision for the hand may have been reached with just these four cards. Tens and face cards count zero; all other cards count their point value; and if the hand totals more than 9, the left digit is disregarded; thus, unlike blackjack, no hand can bust. Totals of 8 or 9, called "naturals," are automatic winners, although of course a natural 9 beats a natural 8. If the player hand adds up to 6, 7, 8, or 9, or if the banker hand totals 7, 8, or 9, no additional cards are dealt and the hand that comes closest to a total of 9 wins and all bets are settled. Ties are a push; no money is exchanged and players are free to change their bets as they choose.

Frequently the totals of the two hands require a third card to be dealt to the player, the banker, or both. Neither one has a choice in the matter; the rules are fixed. Optimal strategy has been developed for every possible combination of cards, and since as many as fifteen players are wagering on just two hands, to avoid arguments over poor play, standing and drawing decisions are mandatory. Remember, though, neither player nor banker ever draws against a natural 8 or 9.