In baccara, there are usually fourteen chairs at the table, numbered 1 to 14. The table is divided into two sides: 1 to 7 and 8 to 14. The croupier deals three hands of two cards each face down. He deals two cards to the Ito 7 side, two cards to the 8 to 14 side, and two cards to himself. Players are called “punters” and the bank is the “banker.” Players cannot bet with the bank in baccara. They can only bet against the bank.

After the hands have been dealt, the representative of the Ito 7 side acts on his hand, either hitting or stopping, according to the card Combination rules, which are similar to baccarat. Then the player representing the 8 to 14 group acts on his hand. You are allowed to hit only one card in baccara. The player’s side has only one decision. If the player representing either the I to 7 or the 8 to 14 side receives a total count of 5 in his first two cards, he can choose whether to hit or stop on the hand. That is the only decision the player’s side makes. It is called an “option.” It is really a matter of guesswork. It all depends on how the player feels, because he cannot see the banker’s hand. After both players’ hands are completed, then the banker turns over his cards. Now he must decide what to do. Remember, the banker represents the casino. You cannot bet with him.

Here comes the catch in baccara. The banker has three options on how to play his hand. The player has only one. That is the strength of the game for the banker—and it is pretty strong. I wish I could fill a casino full of baccara tables in Las Vegas ill could get the action.

The banker must quickly survey how the two sides played their hands. Then he chooses from his options.

If the banker’s hand totals 3 and one of the players’ hands was hit with a 9, the banker has an option to hit or stop at 3. Or if one side had said “No card,” meaning that side could have a 5, 6, or 7, then the banker, if he has a total of 6 in two cards, again can opt whether to hit or stop. Also, if the banker turns over his hand and has a total of 5 in two cards, and one of the opponents had hit with a 4 earlier, the banker has another option. He can either hit or stop. The final decision for the banker is which hand he should play against. It may be the one with the most money bet, or the hand that’s easiest to beat. It’s his choice.

These bankers are not ordinary croupiers. Baccara bankers are real pros. They have a very important job. They are experts at picking the options. Their decision is the final one. They’ve had years of experience, and many have memorized hundreds of hitting and stopping combinations. They also carry a small card in their inside pocket with numerals on it. These are combinations. They won’t show these cards to anyone, for it would reveal how they figure when it is best to hit and stop. You can bet that these bankers don’t make many mistakes or they would be looking for new jobs. The bankers usually have a percentage of the winnings, which stimulates them to make right decisions. The little card is their textbook. Stay away from these experts and their baccara domain.

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