Baccarat Hand Values
Find out how to read hand values in Baccarat, what the best Baccarat hand is, and what makes a winning hand just that.
Baccarat is a simple yet incredibly popular card game where understanding hand values is essential if you want the best chance of success. Whether you're new to the game or looking to refine your knowledge, this guide will give you all the essential knowledge you need to understand the hands in baccarat.
How to Read Hand Values in Baccarat
Firstly, which hand is deemed the best value in Baccarat? Well, understanding how hand values are calculated is important to anyone who is looking to get to grips with the game. When learning the game of Baccarat, each card has a specific value, and these values are then totalled to determine the total hand value. Here's how it works:
The Baccarat card values are as follows:
- Aces: Worth 1 point each.
- Number Cards (2-9): Worth their face value. For example, a 5 of any suit is worth 5 points, etc.
- 10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings: Worth 0 points each.
The actual value of a hand is the total of the points of each of its individual cards. However, only the last digit of the overall total is considered if it goes into double digits. This means that if the hand is valued at more than 9, then you drop the tens place and keep only the unit digit. So, for example, if the total sum of the cards is 15, the hand value is 5.
Let's take a look at some examples of hands and their values:
Example 1: Ace and 6
- Ace = 1 point
- 6 = 6 points
- Total = 1 + 6 = 7
- Hand Value = 7
Example 2: 7 and 8
- 7 = 7 points
- 8 = 8 points
- Total = 7 + 8 = 15
- Hand Value = 5 (only the unit digit)
Example 3: King and 3
- King = 0 points
- 3 = 3 points
- Total = 0 + 3 = 3
- Hand Value = 3
Example 4: 9 and 6
- 9 = 9 points
- 6 = 6 points
- Total = 9 + 6 = 15
- Hand Value = 5 (only the unit digit)
All cards from Ace through to 10 and face cards are used in Baccarat. However, their values are very different from those in games such as blackjack. Specifically, face cards and 10s have absolutely no value in Baccarat and contribute nothing to the hand.
Essentially, the value of a baccarat hand is only the last digit of the total value of its cards. This means that hands can't possibly go over 9 - the highest value hand in Baccarat. Understanding Baccarat card values is important as they ultimately decide which hand wins and which one loses. The best hand in Baccarat is a natural win that occurs when the total is 8 or 9 from the first two cards. If neither hand has a natural win, the drawing of the 'third card' will be determined based on the specific rules of that game.
What makes a winning hand in Baccarat
In Baccarat, the objective of the game is to put your money on the hand that you think will have the highest value in total - either the Player's hand or the Banker's hand. The best hand in Baccarat is the one that is closest to a total of 9 points.
There are various winning hand values to consider:
Natural Win: This is the best Baccarat hand - any hand that adds up to 8 or 9 from the first two cards, and this is an automatic winner unless both hands have a natural of the same value, which would then result in a tie.
For example: If the Player's hand is a 7 and a 2 (totalling 9), and the Banker's hand is a 4 and a 3 (totalling 7), the Player would win with a natural 9.
Regular Win: If neither the Player nor the Banker has a natural, the hand with the total closest to 9 wins after drawing any additional cards (In accordance with the specific game rules).
There are a few special cases that you should be aware of:
Tie: If both the Player and the Banker have hands of the same value, the game will result in a tie. Betting on a tie usually pays out at higher odds but comes with a higher risk and a higher house edge.
Third Card Rule: If the initial totals don't decide a winner, then an additional card (or cards) may need to be drawn based on specific rules of the game. However, the goal is still exactly the same: get as close to 9 as possible.
Ultimately, any hand that adds up to a total of 9 is the best Baccarat hand as it gives you the best chance of winning - whether it's achieved through a natural or after the drawing of a third card.
