Baccarat is one of the oldest casino games, dating back to the 14th century in Italy. Its elegant reputation attracts a diverse range of players from casual players to serious competitors who enjoy the lively, high-stakes elements of this elegant and posh casino game.
Baccarat was favored by French royals in the 19th century and the game made its way into American pop-culture in the 1953 debut novel, Casino Royale, featuring fictional smooth and suave spy James Bond, who plays the game in the book and later the movie by the same name.
The Baccarat game is played in casinos and gambling halls around the world, but most commonly in America, Asia, and Europe. Each region has their own variation of the game so it’s important to know which version you are playing in order to understand the Baccarat rules.
The two versions we will focus on are the traditional, plain old Baccarat and EZ Baccarat Panda 8.
Baccarat Rules
Baccarat is played using a standard 52-card deck with no jokers, and dealt from a multiple deck shoe. The object is to assemble two hands of two or three cards with cumulative point value as close to nine as possible.
Baccarat’s rules are fairly straightforward. All cards have points in Baccarat.
- Numbered cards 2 to 9 = face value
- 10, King, Queen, Jack (also called face cards) = 0 points
- Ace = 1 point
In Baccarat, all tens, jacks, kings and queens have a zero value, and the same rule applies to any hand that totals zero. For example, a hand of two and three makes zero and therefore Baccarat.
Baccarat Betting & Payouts
The three main betting options in Baccarat are Player, Banker, or Tie. The Player and Banker are hands to bet on.
Baccarat starts when two cards are dealt face-up to the Player and the Banker. The winning hand is the one with a total point value closest to 9. If the total exceeds 9, only the rightmost digit can be considered. For instance, a hand with a 7 and an 8 would total 15 in Blackjack, but in Baccarat, the value is 5. A tie happens when both the Player and the Banker have the same point value.
The Player and the Banker may each draw a third card depending on the initial hands. The drawing rules are predetermined and automatically applied, and players cannot influence the choice to draw a third card.
Payouts
The payouts for winning Baccarat bets are as follows:
- Betting on the Player: Typically pays 1:1 (even money)
- Betting on the Banker: Usually pays slightly less than even money, such as 0.95:1 (due to a small commission charged by the casino on Banker wins)
- Betting on a Tie: Generally pays around 8:1 or 9:1 (this can vary depending on the casino)
EZ Baccarat Panda 8 Rules
EZ Baccarat Panda 8 is an easy and accessible version of the traditional game. The rules of EZ Baccarat Panda 8 are simplified compared to traditional Baccarat, making it straightforward for players to understand and play.
EZ Baccarat Panda 8 is a California game that utilizes a player-dealer position offered in a clockwise manner around the table after every two hands. The player-dealer collects all losing wagers, pays the winning wagers, and may not win or lose more than the original amount wagered.
Once the player-dealer’s wager has been exhausted, the wagers not covered by the player-dealer shall be returned to the respective players. The casino does not participate in the actual play of the game and has no interest in the outcome of the play.
One of the main advantages of EZ Baccarat Panda 8 is the elimination of the commission on winning Banker bets, which removes the need for players to keep track of and pay a commission on their winnings. This simplification makes the game more accessible and easier to manage for players.
The point values for the hand in EZ Baccarat Panda 8 are below:
Key differences between Baccarat and EZ Baccarat Panda 8
Baccarat and EZ Baccarat are two variations of the same card game but with several distinct rule differences.
- Commission: In traditional Baccarat, if you bet on the banker’s hand and it wins, the casino typically charges a 5% commission on your winnings. EZ Baccarat eliminates the commission on winning banker bets, which means you receive a full payout without any deductions.
- Third Card Rule: In Baccarat, the drawing of a third card for both the player and the banker is determined by a set of specific rules. However, in EZ Baccarat, the rules for drawing a third card are simplified. When the banker’s hand has a total point value of 7 after the initial two cards, the banker does not draw a third card. This is referred to as the “Dragon 7” rule. Similarly, if the player’s hand has a total point value of 8 or 9 after the initial two cards, the player does not draw a third card. This rule is known as the “Panda 8” rule.
- Side Bets: EZ Baccarat Panda 8 introduces optional side bets that are not present in traditional Baccarat. The most notable side bet in EZ Baccarat is the Dragon 7, which wins, when the banker’s hand wins with a total point value of 7, with a payout of 40 to 1. Another popular side bet is the Panda 8, which wins, when the player’s hand wins with a total point value of 8. The payout for the Panda 8 side bet pays 25 to 1.
Wrap-Up
Baccarat is a widely popular, exciting game played in casinos and gambling establishments around the world for good reason. It is easy to learn and become good at, but the stakes are high.
The traditional game was played with Tarot cards seven centuries ago and the game has evolved substantially since then. Baccarat rules vary by the version of the game being played, so it’s vital to know the difference between plain Baccarat and EZ Baccarat Panda 8, which is considered a California card game.
You can find a Baccarat or EZ Baccarat Panda 8 game near you. For those in the Southern California region, check out the tables at Seven Mile Casino in Chula Vista.
