Live Dealer Baccarat Third Card Rules – Know When to Draw!
Live Baccarat is a game that's pretty straightforward to understand. Players just pick a hand to bet on – either the Banker or the Player. You can also bet on a tie, though this bet doesn't pay out often. The main goal is to pick the hand that scores 8 or 9 points with the first two cards dealt to each side.
However, it's quite common that neither side gets an 8 or 9 with their initial two cards in live casino baccarat. If this happens, an extra card is drawn for one or both sides. There are specific rules that govern when and how this third card is drawn. Let's dive in and find out!
What's the Third Card Rule in Live Baccarat Online?
In baccarat for players in Ghana, specific rules dictate what happens for the Banker and Player hands if neither hits a natural score. These aren't complicated rules; they just ensure that one of the hands eventually wins. Remember, the game concludes after the third card is drawn, which highlights why understanding the third-card rule is so important for Ghanaian players. live casino game.
Third Card Rule for the Player in Ghana
After the initial two cards are dealt to both the Banker and Player hands, baccarat rules state that the Player's hand always acts first. That's just how the game is played. So, if the Player doesn't get a natural score of 8 or 9, we then look at whether they need to draw a third card.
First, they stand if the hand value is a 7 or 6. This means the Player doesn't get an extra card, and the Banker side will reveal their combination. But if the Player's hand has a value of 0 to 5, they get an additional card.
But sometimes, both sides can draw a natural. If this happens, the round becomes a tie or push. But wait, a natural of 9 is better than a natural of 8. Therefore, the highest value hand wins.
Third Card Rule on the Banker Side
The third card rule on the Banker side is more complicated and exciting. That's because the Banker is the next to play after the Player has revealed their cards. This can make the experience a bit gut-wrenching. That said, the Banker stands if they reveal a hand total of 7 or 6. In addition, the Banker gets an extra card to play if their hand total is anything between 0 and 5. It sounds like a stalemate, right?
If the Player gets a third card and the Banker has 2 or less, they receive another card regardless of the Player's third card value. Also, the Banker gets another card if they have a hand value of 3 unless the other side has a natural. It doesn't stop there. If the Banker's total hand value is 4, they draw another card if the Player's extra card is 2-3-4-5-6-7. The Banker also stands if their total hand value is 7.
To avoid further confusion, here is a table illustrating how the third card rule works with the Banker's hand:
| Banker's Hand Total | Action if Player Stands | Action if Player Draws Third Card |
|---|---|---|
| 0 - 2 | Draws a card | Draws a card |
| 3 | Draws a card | Draws unless Player's 3rd card is 8 |
| 4 | Draws a card | Draws if Player's 3rd card is 2-7 |
| 5 | Draws a card | Draws if Player's 3rd card is 4-7 |
| 6 | Stands | Draws if Player's 3rd card is 6 or 7 |
| 7 | Stands | Stands |
| 8 - 9 | Natural (Stands) | Natural (Stands) |
Banker or Player – Which Side is Best?
This is a question that most new live dealer baccarat players struggle to answer. Consider this: the Player's hand is the first to go and the most likely to draw an additional card. That's because the Player side will likely get a 0 because King, Queen, Jack, and 10 count as zero in baccarat. In short, the Banker only makes a move after learning what is on the other side.
In addition, the probability of winning the Banker bet is higher than the Player bet. The Banker has a 45.8% chance of winning compared to 44.6% on the Player side. Although this might not matter much to the naked eye, it will determine how many wins you have in the long run.
But don't dismiss the Player's bet too quickly. The 1.24% house edge is one of the lowest in any live baccarat casino. In addition, the casino will take a 5% commission on all your Banker bet wins. This is how the best live casinos make their money.
FAQ
What causes the third card to be drawn for the Player's hand in Live Dealer Baccarat?
In Live Dealer Baccarat, the Player's hand will receive a third card if the hand totals between 0 and 5. If the total is 6 or 7, no third card is drawn; this is known as a "stand."
How does the Player's third card influence what the Banker does?
The Banker's choice to draw a third card depends on the Player's third card. If the Player draws a third card, the Banker will either draw or stand based on specific rules that take into account the Banker's initial total and the value of the Player's third card.
What rules apply to the Banker's third card when the Player stands in Baccarat?
If the Player stands (meaning they don't draw a third card), the Banker draws a third card if their total is 0-5 and stands if their total is 6-7.
In Live Dealer Baccarat, does the Banker always draw a third card on particular totals?
Yes, in Live Dealer Baccarat, the Banker will always draw a third card if their total is 0, 1, or 2, regardless of what the Player's hand is.
Are the third card rules in Live Dealer Baccarat in Ghana mandatory?
Yes, the third card rules in Live Dealer Baccarat are mandatory and must be followed strictly. Both the Player and the Banker must stick to these rules, and there's no room for personal choice.
