Punto Banco Rules: How the Game Works

Punto banco is the most widely played form of baccarat in casinos and online. It looks elegant and a little mysterious, but the rules are simple: you choose a side and the cards do the rest. This page explains how the game works.

The basic idea

Two hands are dealt: punto (player) and banco (banker). You do not play either hand yourself. Before the deal, you bet on which hand will finish closer to 9, or on a tie.

Card values

• Ace: 1 point.
• 2 to 9: face value.
• 10, jack, queen and king: 0 points.

Counting a hand

A hand is worth the last digit of its total. If the cards add up to 10 or more, you drop the first digit:

• 7 + 8 = 15, so the hand is worth 5.
• 9 + 9 = 18, so the hand is worth 8.
• King + 4 = 4.

The highest possible value is 9.

The deal

Each hand receives two cards. If either hand has 8 or 9, called a natural, both hands stand and the round is decided. Otherwise, a third card may be drawn according to fixed rules. Those rules are explained in the third card rule.

Who wins?

The hand closest to 9 wins. If both hands have the same value, it is a tie.

No decisions after the bet

Unlike blackjack, players make no choices during the hand. The croupier deals and follows the drawing rules. This makes punto banco easy to play and fast-paced.

Bets and payouts

There are three main bets: player, banker and tie. Each pays differently and has a different house edge, as explained in banker, player and tie bets.

Punto banco is a game of chance with a house edge. Play only at licensed casinos, set a budget and only play if you are 18 or older.