Casino & Table Games
Baccarat banker rules
The banker rules in baccarat decide whether the banker hand receives a third card, depending on its current total and the player's actions.
- If player stands
- Banker draws on 5 or less, stands on 6 or 7.
- If player draws
- Banker draws on 2 or less; on 3 except when player's third card is 8; on 4 if player's third card is 2–7; on 5 if 4–7; on 6 if 6 or 7; stands on 7.
Key points
- When the player stands, the banker uses the same simple cutoff as the player: draw on 5 or less, stand on 6 or 7.1
- If the player draws a third card, the banker's decision depends on both the banker's total and the player's third-card value.1
Common questions
When does banker hit in baccarat?
If the player stands, the banker hits on 5 or less. If the player draws a third card, the banker hits on 2 or less, and conditionally on 3–6 depending on the player's third card.1
Where this term is used
Not the same as
- Baccarat odds player vs banker — concerns win probability and house edge for the bets, not the banker's draw decision rules
- Baccarat game — the whole game; banker rules are only one part of baccarat gameplay
Related terms
Casino games
Casino baccarat rules
Covers the full set of rules for standard baccarat, including both player and banker drawing rules.
Casino games
Baccarat draw rules
Explains the drawing rules for both the player and banker hands in baccarat.
Casino games
Baccarat hit rules
Describes when each hand hits or stands, focusing on the player's decision.
Casino games
Baccarat 3rd card rule
Details the specific conditions under which a third card is dealt to either hand.
Casino games
Baccarat rules card values
Explains how card values are counted in baccarat, including the modulo-10 scoring.
Casino games
Baccarat third card rules chart
Provides a visual chart of the third-card drawing rules for both player and banker.
Sources
- Baccarat en.wikipedia.org Provides the full banker drawing rule table and the simple cutoff when player stands.
Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.