Article
Baccarat Third-Card Rules Explained
A readable decision table for when Player and Banker draw a third card in standard punto banco baccarat.
Quick answer
Players do not choose whether to hit or stand in standard baccarat. The third-card rules are automatic: naturals stop play, Player follows a simple total rule, and Banker’s action can depend on both its total and Player’s third card.
Naturals first
If either hand has an initial total of 8 or 9, both normally stand and the hand is resolved.
Player rule
Player draws on totals 0–5 and stands on 6–7. If Player stands, Banker draws on 0–5 and stands on 6–7.
Banker rule after Player draws
| Banker total | Draws when Player third card is… |
|---|---|
| 0–2 | Always draw |
| 3 | Draw except when Player third card is 8 |
| 4 | Draw on Player 2–7 |
| 5 | Draw on Player 4–7 |
| 6 | Draw on Player 6–7 |
| 7 | Stand |
No pattern decision
Road maps and prior Banker/Player sequences do not override the drawing table. Standard punto banco resolves hands mechanically.
Sources
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