A Beginners’ Guide to the Different Baccarat Hand Values

Baccarat is one of the exciting table games that are quite popular in the world of casinos. The rules of the baccarat card games are easy to understand. Moreover, it is also a fast-paced casino game. That is why it is gaining popularity among enthusiastic players. However, to make the most of the game, understanding the baccarat system and the baccarat hand values is important. In this blog, you will get to learn everything about hand values. Let’s dive in!

Goal of Baccarat

Before you gain insights into the hand values, knowing the goal of this casino game is important. There are several baccarat variations available. However, the goal remains the same. The core goal of this casino game is to get a score closest to 9. 

In the game of baccarat, it isn’t important whether you bet on the player’s hand or the dealer’s hand. All you need to do is bet on the hand you think is likely to win. Usually, two hands are dealt. One is the banker’s hand and the other is the player’s hand. The hand that scores closest to 9 will be the winner of the game.

Card Values of Baccarat

Understanding the card values is vital to enhance your online baccarat gaming experience. Take a look at the most popular card values.

• The value of Ace is 1.
• The value of 10 is zero.
• The value of the numbered cards is the same as the value stated on them. For instance, the value of 2 is 2, the worth of 3 is 3, and so on.
• The value of the Queen is zero.
• The value of King is zero.
• The value of Jack is also zero. 

In the game of baccarat, the suit of the card does not have any significance. The same numbers can appear a number of times during the game. The baccarat shoes usually consist of 6 to 8 packs. 

Hand Values of Baccarat

Now that you have a clear idea of the card values, it is time to understand the baccarat hand values. The good news is that understanding the hand values is simple and easy. To start the game, both hands are dealt two cards. Then the cards are added in order to find out the total score. The maximum hand value permitted is 9.

If the total number exceeds 9, then ten is subtracted. In simple words, the tens digit is removed and the remaining number is considered to be the total. 

To understand baccarat hand values better, let’s take the help of a few examples. For instance, if you have received a 2 and an Ace card, the total will be 3. On the other hand, if you have an 8 and 5, the total will still be 3. It is because when 8 and 5 are added, the total is 13, which is more than 9. So, 10 is subtracted from 13. As a result, only 3 are left. 

Here are a few other examples for a better understanding of the hand values.

• 3 + 2 = 5; 6 + 9 = 15, 10 is subtracted which makes the total 5
• Jack + Ace = 1; 4 + 7 = 11, 10 is subtracted which makes the total 1

Now, let’s take a look at the natural winning hands whose total is 9.

• 3 + 6 = 9
• Jack + 9 = 9
• 4 +5 = 9

Best Hand in Baccarat

Once you have an understanding of the hand values in the game of baccarat, it is time to explore the best hand and the worst hand. No doubt, 9 is known to be the winning number in baccarat. That means a hand that totals 9 is considered to be the best hand in the game of baccarat. 

However, a point to note here is that to win the game, the hand needs to be closer to 9 compared to the other hand. That means the points made by the winning hand actually don’t matter. All you need to ensure that the score is close to 9. 

Worst Hand in Baccarat

A bad hand in the game of baccarat is the one that loses to the other hand. However, technically, zero is considered to be the worst hand in baccarat. It is because it is the farthest from 9. But in case a 9 is dealt immediately as a third card, the worst hand can instantly get transformed into the best possible hand. If you want to understand the hand values better and experience the excitement of the game, engaging in the live casino game is the best option. 

The Need for a Third Card

When playing online baccarat, it is important to have an idea of when a third card is required. Well, there are different rules for the banker’s hand and the player’s hand when it comes to drawing a third card. 

In the case of the player’s hand, a third card is required if the total value of the initial two cards is anything between 0 to 5, unless the banker’s hand totals 8 or 9. However, if the hand of the player is more than 5, then there is no need for a third card.

The rules for a banker’s hand are a little more complicated. In case, the hand of the player is 6 or more, the banker will follow the same rules and stands with a score of 6 or higher. 

Conclusion

Baccarat is indeed one of the interesting games to try your hands at online casino UK. The simplicity of the game combined with exciting features makes it quite popular among players around the globe. Now that you have a clear idea about the baccarat hand values, it is time to engage in the casino game. Look for a reputed casino platform and indulge in the game of baccarat. It is sure to provide you with exceptional experiences like never before.