Unlike some variants, standard punto banco baccarat dictates that the Player and Banker hands do not decide freely whether to take a third card. The baccarat third card rule in this game is predetermined; third-card decisions are carried out automatically in accordance with fixed game rules.
Although the Player rule may seem simple, the Banker rule depends on two factors — the Banker total and the Player’s third card when one is drawn. Meanwhile, a natural 8 or 9 usually ends further drawing.
But what should you expect from the third card rule? This guide explores the inner workings, assesses Player and Banker draw rules, and outlines some examples.
How Does the Baccarat Third Card Rule Work?
You may be wondering how the baccarat third card rule works. While there is a layer of complexity, we’ve broken down the sequence into manageable steps to follow:
- Two cards are dealt to the Player’s hand.
- Two cards are dealt to the Banker’s hand.
- Both hand totals are calculated.
- Check whether either hand contains a natural 8 or 9.
- If it does, the round will end automatically.
- If not, the Player third-card rule applies.
- Then apply the Banker third-card rule.
It’s also worth taking into account the following points:
- In baccarat, a hand may only reach a maximum of 9.
- When a hand totals 10 or more, only the last digit counts. For example:
– 7 + 9 = 16 → total of 6;
– 8 + 7 = 15 → total of 5.
- Tens and face cards are counted as 0.
- Aces count as 1.
- The Player hand is then evaluated before the Banker draw is applied.
When Does the Player Draw a Third Card?
The baccarat Player draw rules are simpler than the Banker’s hand, and the table describes the action that should be taken after a certain hand.
| Player total | Action |
| 0–5 | Draw |
| 6–7 | Stand |
| 8–9 | Natural – stand |
The Player third card rule in baccarat always works the same way:
- On a total of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, the Player hand draws one card.
- On 6 or 7, the Player hand stands.
- On an initial 8 or 9, it’s a natural, and no third card is drawn.
The rule is automatic: neither the bettor nor the dealer decides whether the Player hand draws. For example:
- Player has 2 + 3 = 5 → draws a third card.
- Player has 4 + 2 = 6 → stands.
- Player has 5 + 4 = 9 → natural 9, so no further cards are drawn.
If the Banker has a natural 8 or 9, the Player hand doesn’t draw either, even on a total of 0–5.
When Does the Banker Draw a Third Card?
The Banker’s action depends on its total and the value of the Player’s third card. The Banker therefore must abide by the following rules outlined in the table if the Player stands:
| Banker total | Action |
| 0–5 | Draw |
| 6–7 | Stand |
| 8–9 | Natural |
However, if the Player hand draws a third card, then the full Banker table must be used:
| Banker total | Banker action |
| 0–2 | Always draw |
| 3 | Draw unless the Player’s third card was an 8 |
| 4 | Draw if the Player’s third card is 2–7 |
| 5 | Draw if the Player’s third card is 4–7 |
| 6 | Draw if the Player’s third card is 6 or 7 |
| 7 | Stand |
| 8–9 | Natural |
The same rules can be shown as a single Banker drawing chart. Read across from the Banker’s total to the value of the Player’s third card (“None” means the Player stood). D = Banker draws, S = Banker stands.
| Banker total | None | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 0 | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| 1 | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| 2 | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| 3 | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | S | D |
| 4 | D | S | S | D | D | D | D | D | D | S | S |
| 5 | D | S | S | S | S | D | D | D | D | S | S |
| 6 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | D | D | S | S |
| 7 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
There are a few things that should be addressed in relation to the Banker third card rule:
- Banker rules are more complex, because the decision can depend on the value of the Player’s third card.
- The Banker hand normally goes after the Player hand, and there are more possible scenarios when it comes to drawing.
- The dealer follows the fixed rules of the aforementioned table automatically, making games slightly more intricate.
- This won’t be a strategic choice on the part of the bettor or dealer; decisions will be taken out of their hands.
- If the Player stands on 6 or 7, the Banker must adhere to the simpler 0–5 draw and the 6–7 stand rule.
For example, if the Banker holds 4 and the Player’s third card is a 9, the Banker stands. With the same total of 4 and a Player third card of 3, the Banker draws. In practice, this is how the baccarat Banker draw rules work: the lower the Banker total, the more Player third cards lead to a draw.
What Is a Natural in Baccarat?
A natural in baccarat occurs when a two-card hand total is either 8 or 9. The following rules apply:
- A natural will only contain a two-card hand totalling 8 or 9.
- If either hand is a natural:
– Neither hand draws a third card.
– The hands are compared immediately to settle the round.
- A natural 9 is the highest-possible two-card total.
- Examples of a natural 8 or 9 are:
– 4 + 4 = 8 → natural 8;
– 6 + 3 = 9 → natural 9;
– K + 8 = 8 → natural 8 because K counts as 0;
– Q + 8 = 8 → natural 8 because Q counts as 0.
To make things clear, a three-card total of 8 or 9 is not and should not be viewed in the same way as an initial two-card natural.
Does the Player Choose Whether to Draw a Third Card?
Does a Player choose in baccarat to draw a third card? If we’re talking about standard punto banco baccarat, the short answer is no.
In standard punto baccarat, the following statements ring true:
- “Player” and “Banker” are names for two hands, and they shouldn’t be referred to as a bettor controlling a particular hand.
- Third-card decisions automatically follow the fixed drawing rules.
- Players don’t get a choice, and the dealer applies the rules at the live table.
- The bettor’s decision will primarily revolve around wagering on one of the three core bets:
– Player – pays out at 1:1.
– Banker – pays out at 1:1 minus 5% commission.
– Tie – pays out at 8:1.
- Any side bets offered at a table, such as Big or Small or Even/Odd.
Other baccarat versions, such as Chemin de Fer, involve different procedures. This French variant, more commonly found at European casinos, sees the Player assume the role of the Banker, and therefore they will have more say over whether a third card is drawn.
Why Is the Banker Third Card Rule More Complicated?
The baccarat Banker rules may seem rather complicated, and this is down to a few reasons. Firstly, the Banker acts after the Player’s hand status has been revealed. If the Player draws, the Banker rule will depend on two factors — the Banker total and the exact value of the Player’s third card.
With that in mind, this produces several conditions based on card totals and goes beyond one simple threshold. The drawing system is built into the game and applied automatically by the dealer.
As such, with more conditions factored in, this can create slightly different mathematical probabilities of Banker and Player outcomes. Because the Banker acts with more information, these rules give the Banker hand a slightly higher chance of winning a round, which is why winning Banker bets usually pay a commission.
Baccarat Third Card Rule Examples
In this segment of the guide, we have shared some practical baccarat third card examples and show how they play out within the game.
Example 1: Player Draws
A Player picks up a 2 card and the other is 3, forming a hand of 5. The Player hand automatically draws a third card.
Example 2: Player Stands
A Player picks up a 4 and a 2, or an Ace and a 5, which equals 6. On a total of 6, the Player hand must stand.
Example 3: Banker Total 3
The Banker holds a total of 3, and the Player’s third card is an 8, so the Banker stands.
Example 4: Banker Total 5
The Banker has a total of 5, but the Player’s third card is 6, so the Banker draws, because the Player’s third card falls in the 4–7 range.
Example 5: Natural
A Player has a natural two-card hand of 9, consisting of a 5 and a 4. With a natural 9, a round ends immediately and no additional cards are drawn.
Example 6: A Full Round
Player: 2 + 3 = 5, so the Player hand draws and receives a 7, for a final total of 2 (5 + 7 = 12). Banker: 6 + 8 = 14, a total of 4. Because the Player’s third card is a 7, the Banker draws, receives a 3 and finishes on 7. The Banker hand wins, 7 against 2.
Common Baccarat Third Card Misunderstandings
The baccarat third card rule is often misread. The most common mix-ups:
- The Player hand never chooses whether to hit. On 0–5 it draws automatically.
- The Banker hand does not freely decide whether to draw either.
- The Banker does not always draw on 5. It draws only if the Player stands, or if the Player’s third card is 4–7.
- The Player draws on 5 only if neither hand has a natural.
- A third card does not start a new betting round. All bets are placed before the cards are dealt.
- A natural refers only to an initial two-card 8 or 9.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Baccarat Third Card Rule
Does the player draw on 5?
Yes, unless a natural of 8 or 9 ends the drawing.
Does the player stand on 6?
Yes, the rules dictate the Player must stand on 6.
Does Banker always draw on 5?
No, they don’t.
Does a natural draw a third card?
No. A natural normally ends the drawing for both hands, and the round is settled straight away.
Does Banker draw on 6?
Only if the Player hand drew a third card of 6 or 7. Otherwise, the Banker stands on 6.
Can the bettor change the third card rule?
No. In standard punto banco, the drawing rules are fixed and applied by the dealer.
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