Punto Banco: Which Side are You On?
December 6th, 2009 | Published in Inrodution
Punto Banco is the North American version of baccarat, one of the most popular casino games in the world. It is essentially a game of two opposing sides: punto (player) vs. banco (bank). Similar to baccarat, players only need to make one crucial decision: to bet on the player or the banker. Once this is determined, the game commences, and there are three possible outcomes: win, lose or draw.
In traditional form, a game of Punto Banco is played on an oval shaped table with up to 14 numbered seats and a total of three dealers. Two dealers are seated at each side of the table, while the third is seated in the center. Often referred to as the palette dealer, the third dealer utilizes a wooden paddle to pick up cards and move them across the table. However, in modern casinos and smaller venues, the game is typically played with a single dealer on a blackjack-sized table.
Objective of the Game
The goal of Punto Banco is to simply bet on the game taking place between the player and the banker. The winning hand is the one with the value closest to the number nine. Tens, jacks, queens and kings basically have no relevance, while aces have a value of one. All cards from two to nine have their original face value. The value of a given hand is determined by adding up the numbers on the cards.
If a hand happens to total double figures, then ten is deducted from the value. For instance, if the player has a hand with a seven and an eight, the total value is considered five. Because the value is in double figures, ten is subtracted to give the hand a total value of five.
Playing the Game
To begin the game, players position their chips on the designated boxes on the table in front of them. These boxes represent the player, banker, and the tie. Once all wagers have been put up, the player in the first seat deals four cards from the shoe to the dealer, who then places them.
The dealing rotation is as follows:
- The player receives the first card
- The dealer receives the second card
- The banker receives the final card
After each game of Punto Banco, the card shoe is passed on to the next player. In more simplistic versions of the game, the dealer handles all the dealing. Once both the player and the banker have the two cards that form their hand, the following rules apply:
Player’s Rules
- If the player’s hand totals anywhere from zero to five, he or she draws another card.
- If the player’s hand totals six or seven, it automatically stands.
- If the player’s hand totals eight or nine, it is called a natural and automatically stands.
Banker’s Rules
- If the banker’s hand totals anywhere from zero to three, he or she draws another card.
- If the banker’s hand totals four and the player’s hand ranges from two to seven, he or she must draw a third card.
- If the banker’s hand totals five and the player’s hand ranges from four to seven, he or she must draw a third card.
- If the banker’s hand totals six and the player’s hand ranges from six to seven, he or she must draw a third card. However, this is only the case when the player achieves the total within three cards. If the player’s total was achieved within two cards, the banker is required to stand.
- If the banker’s hand totals seven, he or she must stand.
- If the banker’s hand ranges from eight to nine, both the banker and player must stand.
Winners, Losers and the Tie
After the hands of the player and banker are determined, Punto Banco will either produce an undisputed winner or a draw. All bets on the game are paid out at even money, while a winning “banco” wager pays out at 19/20. In simple terms, a 5% commission goes to the house.
Winnings bets placed on a tie are paid out at 8 to 1. Losing bets are collected before any winning bets are paid out to the winners. Should there be a tie, the dealer pays out the bettors accordingly, and other players have the option to let their bets stay as is, modify them, or withdraw them entirely. Those who bet on either the player or banker do not lose their original bet should a tie occur.
