In baccarat, cards 2-9 are worth their face value, while 10s and face cards (jacks, queens, and kings) are worth zero, and aces are worth 1 point. When the total value of cards in a hand equals or exceeds 10, the tens digit is dropped.

A hand consisting of 5 and 3 is worth 8 (5 + 3 = 8). A hand consisting of 7 and 8, though, is worth 5 (7 + 8 = 15 = 5) instead of 15, as the first digit is dropped because the total is higher than 10.

The goal is to have a higher point total than the other hand, which would be 9. One slightly unusual thing about baccarat is that the name refers to the worst possible hand, which is 0; unlike games like blackjack, baccarat is named after the worst possible hand that can be dealt, not the best.

Players may bet on either the "player" or the "banker" or on a tie. It's important to note that a player can bet on banker, and that the banker is simply the name for one of the two hands dealt, and isn’t necessarily the house or casino, nor does it refer to the dealer.

The cards are dealt face down, one to the player first, then to the banker; then a second card to the player, and a second card to the banker. Both cards in each hand are then turned over and added together and the croupier calls the total. At this point, pre-set rules for the game determine if more cards are to be dealt, based on the totals of both hands so far.

If either the Player or the Banker has a total of 8 or 9 on the initial deal, no further cards are drawn and the highest total wins. If neither player has an 8 or a 9, play proceeds as follows.

• If the player has an initial total of 0-5, the player draws a single card. If the player has an initial total of 6 or 7, he or she stands.
• The banker's play depends on the banker's hand, on whether the player drew a card, and on what card the Player drew:
  
  • If the player did not draw a card, the banker draws if he has a total of 0-5, and stands if he has 6-7.
  • If the player drew a 2 or 3, the banker draws if he has a total of 0-4, and stands if he has 5-7.
  • If the player drew a 4 or 5, the banker draws if he has a total of 0-5, and stands if he has 6-7.
  • If the player drew a 6 or 7, the banker draws if he has a total of 0-6, and stands if he has 7.
  • If the player drew an 8, the banker draws if he has a total of 0-2, and stands if he has 3-7.
  • If the player drew an ace, 9, 10, or face-card, the banker draws if he has a total of 0-3, and stands if he has 4-7.