Table of Content 7
In short
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0–5
The Player hand draws a third card on 0–5 and stands on 6 or 7.
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8 or 9
A two-card 8 or 9 is a natural: no more cards are dealt to either hand.
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45.86%
Banker wins 45.86% of hands and Player 44.62%, which is why Banker pays a 5% commission.
How the third card rule works
Each hand starts with two cards for Player and two for Banker. Tens and picture cards count as 0, aces as 1, and only the last digit of a total counts, so 7 + 8 is 5. The dealer then applies a fixed drawing table. Players never choose to hit or stand, which is why the same rules run at every live table, whether it is Evolution's Live Baccarat or a Speed Baccarat table.
The order is always the same:
- If either hand has a natural (8 or 9 on two cards), both hands stand and the hand is settled.
- The Player hand acts first: it draws on 0–5 and stands on 6 or 7.
- The Banker hand acts last, using the table below.
Player hand: draw on 0–5
Player third card rule
| Player's two-card total | Action |
|---|---|
| 0–5 | Draws a third card |
| 6–7 | Stands |
| 8–9 | Natural, the hand ends |
Banker hand: the full drawing table
If the Player stood on 6 or 7, the Banker simply draws on 0–5 and stands on 6 or 7. If the Player drew, the Banker's action depends on the value of that third card:
Banker third card rule
| Banker's total | Player stood | Player drew a third card |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 | Draws | Draws |
| 3 | Draws | Draws unless the Player's third card is 8 |
| 4 | Draws | Draws if the Player's third card is 2–7 |
| 5 | Draws | Draws if the Player's third card is 4–7 |
| 6 | Stands | Draws if the Player's third card is 6 or 7 |
| 7 | Stands | Stands |
| 8–9 | Natural, stands | Natural, stands |
Worked example. Player holds 2 + 3 = 5 and Banker holds K + 4 = 4. Player draws a 6 and finishes on 1. Banker has 4 and the Player's third card is 6, so Banker draws. If Banker's card is a 3, Banker ends on 7 and wins.
What the rule means for your bet
Acting last gives the Banker hand a small edge in information: it draws or stands knowing the Player's third card. Over an 8-deck shoe this makes Banker win 45.86% of hands against 44.62% for Player, with 9.52% ties. Casinos balance that with a 5% commission on Banker wins.
Live baccarat bets at a glance
The Banker bet is the cheapest bet on the table. The Tie costs about 13 times more per dollar staked than Banker.
| Bet | Pays | House edge | Expected cost per $1,000 staked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banker | 0.95:1 (5% commission) | 1.06% | $10.60 |
| Player | 1:1 | 1.24% | $12.40 |
| Tie | 8:1 | 14.36% | $143.60 |
| Player Pair / Banker Pair | 11:1 | 10.36% | $103.60 |
House edges: standard 8-deck punto banco maths (Wizard of Odds, baccarat basics). RTP and limits: our game pages.
Questions and answers
What triggers the third card draw in Live Dealer Baccarat for the Player's hand?
In Live Dealer Baccarat, the Player's hand receives a third card if its total is between 0 and 5. No third card is drawn if the total is 6 or 7, known as a 'stand'.
How does the Player's third card affect the Banker's action?
The Banker's decision to draw a third card is influenced by the Player's third card. If the Player draws, the Banker draws or stands according to specific rules that consider both the Banker's initial total and the Player's third card value.
What are the Banker's third card rules when the Player stands?
If the Player stands (does not draw a third card), the Banker draws a third card on totals of 0-5 and stands on 6-7.
Does the Banker always draw a third card on certain totals in Baccarat?
Yes, in Live Dealer Baccarat, the Banker always draws a third card on totals of 0, 1, or 2, regardless of the Player's hand.
Are the third card rules in Live Dealer Baccarat mandatory?
Yes, the third card rules in Live Dealer Baccarat are mandatory and followed strictly. Both the Player and the Banker must adhere to these rules, with no discretion allowed.
Can I ask the dealer to deal or skip a third card?
No. The drawing rules are fixed and the dealer applies them automatically. Your only choice is which bet to place before the deal.
