The Third Card Rule is the complex yet rigid set of instructions that determines if and when a third card must be drawn for the Player or Banker hands. These rules are not a strategy for the player to decide on; they are automatically executed by the dealer. The Player hand’s rules are simple, drawing on totals of 0-5. The Banker’s drawing rules are more detailed, depending on its own total and the value of the Player’s third card. Mastering these rules is key to truly understanding the game’s flow.
Why Does the Third Card Rule Exist?
Before diving into the specifics, it’s helpful to understand the purpose of this rule. The Third Card Rule, also known as the “tableau,” is the engine of Baccarat. It creates a fixed, unchangeable mathematical structure for the game. By removing all human decision-making, the rule ensures that the odds of each outcome are constant. This is what allows Baccarat to have such a reliably low house edge and is the reason it’s considered a game of pure chance, not skill.
The Two Key Principles
To make the rule easier to learn, remember these two foundational principles:
The Player’s Hand Acts First: The decision of whether the Player hand draws a third card is always made before the Banker’s.
No Busting: Unlike Blackjack, drawing a third card in Baccarat can never cause the hand to “bust.” The hand value is simply the last digit of the total sum.
Step 1: The Player’s Hand Rule (The Simple Part)
The rule for the Player’s hand is very straightforward and easy to remember. It is based solely on the total of the Player’s first two cards.
Player’s First Two-Card Total | Action |
|---|---|
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
6, 7
8, 9 (Natural) | Draws a Third Card
Stands (Does not draw)
Stands (Game Over) |
Example 1: The Player is dealt a 2 and a 4, for a total of 6. According to the chart, the Player hand must stand. Example 2: The Player is dealt an Ace and a 3, for a total of 4. According to the chart, the Player hand must draw a third card.
Step 2: The Banker’s Hand Rule (The Complex Part)
The rule for the Banker’s hand is more detailed because it depends on two factors: the Banker’s own two-card total, and what action the Player’s hand took. We can break this down into two simple scenarios.
Scenario A: The Player Stands (on a total of 6 or 7)
This is the easy scenario. If the Player hand does not draw a third card, the Banker’s rule becomes identical to the Player’s rule.
The Banker draws on a total of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.
The Banker stands on a total of 6 or 7.
Example: The Player has a total of 7 and stands. The Banker has a total of 4. Since the Player stood, the Banker follows the simple rule and must draw a third card.
Scenario B: The Player Draws a Third Card
This is where the famous Baccarat drawing chart comes into play. If the Player draws a third card, the Banker’s action is determined by its own total AND the specific value of the Player’s third card.
Banker’s Total | Banker Draws if Player’s 3rd Card is: | Banker Stands if Player’s 3rd Card is: |
|---|---|---|
0, 1, 2
3
4
5
6
7 | Always Draws
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
4, 5, 6, 7
6, 7
Always Stands | –
8
0, 1, 8, 9
0, 1, 2, 3, 8, 9
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9
– |
How to Read the Chart (Example): Imagine the Banker’s two-card total is 5. Look at that row. The chart says the Banker will only draw a third card if the Player’s third card was a 4, 5, 6, or 7. If the Player drew any other card (like an Ace, 2, 3, 8, or 9), the Banker must stand.
Let’s walk through a complete hand:
Bets are placed.
The Deal:
Player receives: 4 + 2 = 6
Banker receives: Ace + 4 = 5
Player’s Action: The Player’s total is 6, so according to the Player’s rule, the Player stands.
Banker’s Action: Since the Player stood, we use the simple Scenario A. The Banker’s total is 5, so the Banker draws a third card.
Banker’s Third Card: The Banker receives a 3. The Banker’s new total is 8 (5 + 3 = 8).
Outcome: Banker (8) beats Player (6). All Banker bets win.
Conclusion: You Don’t Need to Memorize, Just Understand
While the Banker’s drawing rule chart may seem intimidating, remember this: you never have to make these decisions yourself. The dealer is trained to execute these rules flawlessly every single time.
So why learn the Third Card Rule? Understanding this rule is the key to appreciating the intricate design of Baccarat. It allows you to follow the action intelligently, understand why a hand plays out the way it does, and grasp the fundamental reason why the Banker bet has a slightly higher probability of winning. Mastering this knowledge transforms you from a simple bettor into a true connoisseur of the game.