Punto Banco

Punto Banco

Punto banco is incredibly similar to another casino favourite, baccarat, and, much like baccarat, the aim of the game in punto banco is to reach closest to 9. Like baccarat, the playe and banker’s deals are governed by rules; however, players often suggest that in punto banco, the deal guidelines are even stricter than baccarat’s.

In baccarat, the banker will continue to deal 3 cards, unless either you or the banker uncovers a 9. However, if the player has 2 cards and a hand total of 7, the banker will continue to deal, regardless of how close the player is to 9. In punto banco though, the gameplay is cleverly governed and it helps to know the rules.

Like baccarat, casino goers can bet on either the player or the banker (the banker's bet still comes with a commission though, usually around 5%). There is also the option to bet on the chance the two will tie, which at casinos such as Intercasino pays 8:1.

When it comes to playing punto banco for the first time, always make sure to read into the rules governing the game, or you could be left confused. Thankfully, we’ve outlined both how the player’s and dealer’s cards will be dealt, depending on their respective current hand values.

Having a card hand valued at 1-5 means the dealer will draw the player another card (to the maximum of 3 cards). A hand valued at 6 or 7 means the banker will allow the player to stand (receive no more cards) and a hand of 8 to 9 is "natural", so the player will be dealt no more cards. If you find this confusing to understand, consult our table below, which clearly sets out the player’s prospective hand and what the dealer’s action will be:

• Player’s Card Value
  Dealer’s Action
• 1-5
  Draw another card
• 6-7
  Player may stand
• 8-9
  Natural punto banco, no more cards dealt

The banker's moves in punto banco are dictated by the card value of the player's hand. If the player's allowed to stand, but the banker has cards valued between 0-5, he will hit, if his cards have a value of 6-7, he will stand. Essentially, this is all you need to know, but we have included the banker's other moves, so you know what to expect:

If the player’s card value is 2-3 and the banker has a hand value of 0-4, they will hit, if the cards are at a value of 5-7, they will stand. If the player's cards are valued as 4 or 5, then the banker will draw if they have a card value of 0-5 and stand if they have cards to the value of 6-7. If the player has a 6-7, the banker will draw if they have a hand ranging from 0-6 and will stand if they have a hand to the value of 7.

If the player draws an 8, the banker will draw if they have 0-2 and stands if he has 3-7. Finally, if the player draws an ace, 9 or 10 value card then the Banker will draw if he has 0-3 and stand if he has 4-7.

Again, if you’re finding this tricky to understand, consult our table below:

• Player’s Hand
  Banker’s Hand
  Banker’s Move
• Natural punto banco
  No further cards drawn
• Player doesn’t draw a card
  0-5
  Draws
• Player doesn’t draw a card
  6-7
  Stands
• 2-3
  0-4
  Draws
• 2-3
  5-7
  Stands
• 4-5
  0-5
  Draws
• 4-5
  6-7
  Stands
• 6-7
  0-6
  Draws
• 6-7
  7
  Stands
• 8
  0-2
  Draws
• 8
  3-7
  Stands
• Ace, 9 10 value card
  0-3
  Draws
• Ace, 9 10 value card
  4-7
  Stands