2.1. DEFINITIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS2.1.1
DefinitionsBaccarat
The point count of either the Player’s hand or the Banker’s hand is equal to zero.
Banker’s hand
The hand played in that portion designated on the layout for the banker’s hand.
Player’s hand
The hand played in that portion designated on the layout for the player’s hand.
Natural
The hand with a point count of 8 or 9, in the original 2 cards.
Tie
When both the Player and the Banker’s hands have the same point count.
Point count
The "Point Count" of a hand shall be a single digit number from 0 to 9 inclusive and shall be determined by totalling the value of the cards in the hand.
If the total of the cards in a hand is a two-digit number, the left digit of such number shall be disregarded having no value and the right digit shall constitute the Point Count of the hand.
2.1.2
Physical characteristics of the baccarat table(s)2.1.2.1 Baccarat is played at a standard 1450x800mm round cut table with three betting spots for the Player, Tie and Banker.
2.1.2.2 A baccarat table must have a discard rack. Tables are not equipped with a ‘no peek’ device. Card scanners can be used as an alternative to ‘no peek’ devices. If more than one baccarat table is in play, baccarat tables must have an identifying number, assigned by the casino, on the surface of the table or a table accessory.
2.1.2.3 Dealing shoes
A dealing shoe must be designed and constructed to maintain the integrity of the game.
2.1.3
The Cards2.1.3.1 Baccarat is played with eight decks, each deck having 52 cards without jokers, with backs of the same colour and design and two cutting cards; one placed at the back of all the decks and one that cuts seven cards from the back of the stack. It shall be dealt from a dealing shoe specifically designed for such purpose.
2.1.3.2 The "Value" of the cards in each deck shall be as follows:
i. Any card from 2 to 9 shall have its face value
ii. Any Ten, Jack, Queen or King shall have a value of zero
iii. Any Ace shall have a value of one. Examples of this rule are as
follows:
a. A hand comprising of an Ace, a 2 and a 4 has a Point Count of 7
b. A hand comprising of an Ace, a 2 and a 9 has a total of 12 but only a Point Count of 2 since the digit 1 in the number 12 is discarded
2.1.3.3 The cards will be inspected prior to the commencement of gaming and at the conclusion of gaming
2.2 WAGERS
2.2.1
General Rules2.2.1.1 A wager by a player will be placed on the appropriate area of the Baccarat layout on the player’s screen. A maximum of three wagers may be placed on any playing area, Player, Banker and Tie.
2.2.1.2 A wager on the "Banker's Hand" shall:
i. Win if the "Banker's Hand" has a Point Count higher than that of the "Player's Hand"
ii. Lose if the "Banker's Hand" has a Point Count lower than that of the "Player's Hand"
iii. Neither win nor lose if the Point Count of the "Banker's Hand" and the "Player's Hand" are equal
2.2.1.3 A wager on the "Player's Hand" shall:
i. Win if the "Player's Hand" has a Point Count higher than that of the "Banker's Hand";
ii. Lose if the "Player's Hand" has a Point Count lower than that of the "Banker's Hand";
iii. Neither win nor lose if the Point Count of the "Banker's Hand" and the "Player's Hand" are equal.
2.2.1.4 A wager on a "Tie Bet" shall:
i. Win if the Point Count of the "Banker's Hand" and the "Player's Hand" are equal
ii. Lose if such Point Counts are not equal
2.2.1.5 After a tie, all other wagers are automatically returned by the system.
2.2.1.6 No wager shall be accepted by the system, increased or cancelled after the timer of the system has beeped indicating that the time for placing bets is over. At this stage the dealer calling the game shall announce "No More Bets". "No More Bets" shall be announced prior to the first card being drawn from the shoe.
2.2.1.7 After the last card is scanned and the Dealer announces the result of the round, the system automatically takes care of the wagers on the table. The system shall collect all losing wagers and pay all winning wagers.
i. A minimum and maximum wager permitted is shown on the screen of the game.
ii. Each player is responsible for the correct placement of his or her wager(s).
iii. A wager may be rejected by the system prior to the cards being dealt when cards are not placed on time, not meeting the minimum or maximum betting requirements or a failure to communicate with the gaming server when prompted to do so.
2.2.1.8 A system malfunction will result in the voiding of all pays or plays.
2.2.2
Payouts of the wagersPayouts may be made in accordance to the following:
i. A winning wager made on the "Player's Hand" shall be paid at odds of 1 to 1.
ii. A winning wager made on the "Banker's Hand" shall be paid at odds of 1 to 1, less 5% "Commission" on the amount won. The commission is automatically collected by the system from a player at the time the winning payment is made.
iii. A winning "Tie Bet" shall be paid at odds of 8 to 1.
2.3. CARD HANDLING AND MANIPULATION2.3.1
Inspection and presentation of cards2.3.1.1 After receiving the cards at the table, the dealer must sort and inspect the cards. The dealer must ensure that the decks are complete, and that no cards are flawed, scratched, or marked in any way.
2.3.1.2 The dealer and the Pitboss will spread the cards face up to verify that all cards are present. The backs of cards will be checked to make certain there are no markings, which can lead to the identification of the card’s value. Cards will be checked for any kind of damage. The casino surveillance system shall video record this process.
2.3.1.3 If after checking the cards, the dealer or Pitboss finds that cards are damaged or improper, the Pitboss will replace them. The defective decks will have the defect noted, and returned to the Card storage.
2.3.1.4 At any time when cards have been removed from the playing surface of a baccarat table and are subsequently returned to any table for play, the dealer must reinspect and present the cards in the manner described above.
2.3.2
The shuffle and reshuffle2.3.2.1 After the cards have been visually inspected they shall be turned face down on the table and stacked forming two equal piles and then mixed thoroughly by a "washing" or a "chemmy shuffle" then restacked forming two equal piles and “table riffle” shuffled once by deck.
2.3.2.2 After each stack of cards is dealt, the dealer must reshuffle the cards so that they are randomly intermixed. A reshuffle of the cards must take place at the conclusion of the hand during which the cutting card is reached.
2.3.2.3 At the discretion of the casino, the dealer may reshuffle the cards after the conclusion of any hand.
2.3.3
Cut2.3.3.1 After the cards have been shuffled, the dealer shall stack the cards, with backs facing away from him/her and cut the cards personally.
2.3.3.2 The dealer must cut the cards by placing the cutting card in the stack.
2.3.3.3 Once the cutting card has been inserted, the dealer shall take all cards in front of the cutting card and place them to the back of the stack after which the dealer shall cut seven cards.
2.3.3.4 The cutting card shall be placed seven cards’ length from the back of the stack.
2.3.3.5 The stack of cards shall then be inserted in the dealing shoe for the beginning of play.
2.3.4
The Deal2.3.4.1 The Dealer must deal the cards to the appropriate areas of the layout situated immediately in front of the Dealer.
2.3.4.2 At the end of the time to place bets the dealer will announce "NO MORE BETS" and the timer will flash red.
2.3.4.3 Two hands are dealt face up. The first and third cards will represent the player's hand. The second and fourth cards will represent the bank hand.
2.3.4.4 If the player’s hand is to receive a third card according to the rules of Baccarat, the Dealer draws a card for the player's hand and places it perpendicular to the player's previous cards.
2.3.4.5 If the banker’s hand is entitled to a third card according to the rules of the Baccarat, the Dealer draws a card for the bank and places it over and perpendicular to the previous banker's cards.
2.3.5
The Play
2.3.5.1 After the initial four cards have been dealt:
i. If either the player or banker has a “natural” 8 or 9, both automatically stand, no exceptions.
ii. If the player's total is 6 or 7, the player stands.
iii. If the player stands, the banker hits on a total of 5 or less.
iv. If the player's total is 5 or less, the player automatically hits and the dealer gives the player a third card.
v. If the player receives a third card,the banker draws a third card according to the following:
- Banker's hand totals 0,1,2: Banker always draws a third card.
- Banker's hand totals 3: Banker draws if Player's third card is 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-9-0 (not 8)
- Banker totals 4: Banker draws if Player thirds 2-3-4-5-6-7
- Banker 5: Banker draws if Player thirds 4-5-6-7
- Banker 6: Banker draws if Player thirds 6-7
- Banker 7: Banker stands
2.3.5.2 Order of merit of hands will be:
i. A point count of nine
ii. A point count of eight
iii. A point count of seven; and
iv. So on down to a point count of Baccarat
2.3.5.3 The Dealer will announce the winner and the results shall simultaneously be displayed on the player’s side.
2.3.5.4 When the cutting card appears during play, the cutting card will be removed and placed on the right hand of the dealer next to the cardholder and in clear view of the player. The Dealer calling the game shall announce “Last Hand before shuffle”. Upon completion of that hand, no more cards shall be dealt until the reshuffle occurs.
2.3.6
Pick up
2.3.6.1 When the game is over, the dealer clears the table layout by picking up the cards. This is done from right to left, one by one placing one on top of the other to be able to place them back on the table at the correct order in case of a question or dispute.
2.3.6.2 Each dealer must consistently pick up cards in only one direction during any shift.
2.3.6.3 Once the cards are collected the dealer places them into the discard rack.
2.4. PROHIBITED ACTS2.4.1 No casino or other person may remove, add, or alter any cards except as provided by this rule, and no dealer or other employee of the casino shall permit any person to engage in such activity.
2.4.2 The dealer will not look at, nor expose to any person, the face of a card before it is dealt.
2.4.3 No dealer or pit boss shall advise a player about game strategy nor recommend the proper play of a hand while the player has a wager still pending on the outcome of the hand.