baccarat actions based on number

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baccarat actions based on number

By Trust The Winds

Sure, let’s break down the Baccarat “play action” (the drawing of third cards) by the value of the initial two-card hands, starting from 9 down. This will help clarify when hands stand and when they draw.

Again, remember that you, the player, do not make these decisions. The dealer follows these fixed rules automatically.

Baccarat Play Action: A Guide by Hand Value (9 Down)

In Baccarat, after the initial two cards are dealt to both the Player and Banker, the game proceeds based on the sum of these cards. The goal is to get as close to 9 as possible.

Key Principle: Naturals override all other drawing rules. If either hand has an 8 or 9 from the initial two cards, it’s a “Natural,” and no more cards are drawn. The hand with the higher Natural wins (or it’s a tie if they’re equal).

Let’s assume no Natural has occurred (i.e., neither hand is 8 or 9) and explore the drawing rules.

1. Hand Value: 9

  • Player Hand (9): If the Player’s first two cards total 9, the Player hand Stands. (This would be a Natural 9, so the hand would likely end unless the Banker also had a Natural 9, resulting in a tie).
  • Banker Hand (9): If the Banker’s first two cards total 9, the Banker hand Stands. (This would be a Natural 9, and the hand would likely end).

2. Hand Value: 8

  • Player Hand (8): If the Player’s first two cards total 8, the Player hand Stands. (This would be a Natural 8, so the hand would likely end unless the Banker also had a Natural 8 or 9, resulting in a win for Banker or tie).
  • Banker Hand (8): If the Banker’s first two cards total 8, the Banker hand Stands. (This would be a Natural 8, and the hand would likely end).

3. Hand Value: 7

  • Player Hand (7): The Player hand Stands.

  • Banker Hand (7): The Banker hand Stands.

    • Action Flow: If neither hand has a Natural, and Player has a 7, the Player stands. Then, if the Banker has a 7, the Banker also stands. The hand closest to 9 wins (e.g., Player 7 vs. Banker 7 is a tie).

4. Hand Value: 6

  • Player Hand (6): The Player hand Stands.

  • Banker Hand (6):

    • If Player Stood (had 6 or 7): The Banker hand Stands.

    • If Player Drew a 6 or 7 as their Third Card: The Banker hand Draws a third card.

    • Otherwise (Player drew a 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, or 9 as their Third Card): The Banker hand Stands.

    • Action Flow: If the Player has a 6, they stand. Now, the Banker’s action (if they have a 6) depends on whether the Player drew a third card (which they didn’t, in this specific example) or the value of that third card if they did. Since Player has 6 and stands, Banker with 6 also stands.

5. Hand Value: 5

  • Player Hand (5): The Player hand Draws a third card.

  • Banker Hand (5):

    • If Player Stood (had 6 or 7): The Banker hand Draws a third card.

    • If Player Drew a 4, 5, 6, or 7 as their Third Card: The Banker hand Draws a third card.

    • Otherwise (Player drew a 0, 1, 2, 3, 8, or 9 as their Third Card): The Banker hand Stands.

    • Action Flow: If the Player has a 5, they automatically draw a third card. Now, the Banker’s action (if they have a 5) is determined by the specific value of the Player’s third card.

6. Hand Value: 4

  • Player Hand (4): The Player hand Draws a third card.

  • Banker Hand (4):

    • If Player Stood (had 6 or 7): The Banker hand Draws a third card.

    • If Player Drew a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 as their Third Card: The Banker hand Draws a third card.

    • Otherwise (Player drew a 0, 1, 8, or 9 as their Third Card): The Banker hand Stands.

    • Action Flow: If the Player has a 4, they automatically draw a third card. The Banker’s action (if they have a 4) is then determined by the specific value of the Player’s third card.

7. Hand Value: 3

  • Player Hand (3): The Player hand Draws a third card.

  • Banker Hand (3):

    • If Player Stood (had 6 or 7): The Banker hand Draws a third card.

    • If Player Drew an 8 as their Third Card: The Banker hand Stands.

    • Otherwise (Player drew a 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 9 as their Third Card): The Banker hand Draws a third card.

    • Action Flow: If the Player has a 3, they automatically draw a third card. The Banker’s action (if they have a 3) is then determined by the specific value of the Player’s third card. This is the only Banker scenario where an 8 causes the Banker to stand.

8. Hand Value: 2, 1, 0

  • Player Hand (2, 1, or 0): The Player hand Draws a third card.

  • Banker Hand (2, 1, or 0):

    • If Player Stood (had 6 or 7): The Banker hand Draws a third card.

    • If Player Drew a Third Card: The Banker hand Always Draws a third card, regardless of the value of the Player’s third card.

    • Action Flow: If the Player has 0, 1, or 2, they automatically draw a third card. If the Banker also has 0, 1, or 2, the Banker will also always draw a third card, no matter what the Player drew.

By understanding these fixed rules, you can appreciate the automatic flow of a Baccarat game. Your role remains simple: bet on Player or Banker (or Tie, if you choose, but not recommended due to house edge), and watch the dealer execute the game perfectly according to these rules.