Punto Banco Rules

What are the rules of Punto Banco and how do you play it? The game is one of the most popular casino table games, both live and online, simply because it offers a very small house edge, giving players a great chance to double their money very easily. Punto Banco is very easy to play as the player just has to choose whether to bet on Punto (player) or Banco (bank).

How To Play Punto Banco?

Unlike Chemin de Fer where players bet against each other, without it casino financially involved, it is Punto Banco a game where players bet against the dealer, similar to blackjack . The name of the game accurately describes its two opposite sides: punto – which means “player” and banco – which stands for “bank”. The object of the game is to reach nine or nearly nine before the opposing side does or at least get closer to the 9 than the other.

Both Punto and Banco are dealt a minimum of two cards each and from there there are rules for when the dealer must draw more cards for one of the two. The winner of the hand is determined by which of the two reaches the nine or the number closest to the nine. There is also the possibility of a draw, where the casino gets its advantage, but the probability of a draw is very small.

Game progress

In real, or physical, casinos, only the players at a table are allowed to place bets, while online you can already place bets when you are in a Punto Banco game. You will then place a bet on either Punto or Banco to win the game and once all bets are placed, the game will begin. Players can also bet on draws, but only a few do so, as it is a rare gebnzdstendungen given that the casino uses eight decks of cards in the game.

The dealer then deals two face-up cards on both the Punto and the Banco side and, in accordance with the rules, will either deal another card or leave the game as it is. The total value of the Cards is then calculated and the side closest to the nine then wins and the players are paid out. A very simple game to understand, once you know what the card values are. In the next section, we explain how the value of each card is determined.

Card values

Let's look at the card values so that you will understand exactly what each card is worth when the dealer deals them on both sides:

• 10s, pawns, Queens and Kings are worth 0 points
• 2-9 count as their natural value
• Aces are worth 1 point

Now you are probably wondering how the game can only count to nine, since both Punto and Banco are dealt two cards, which can easily yield values above nine. In the next paragraph, we will discuss the rules of the game, and we promise you that after that everything will be a little more logical for you.

Punto Banco Rules

The most important rule you need to understand at Punto Banco is the rule that anything over nine starts at zero again. This means that if the dealer deals Punto two eights, the value is not 16 but instead only six, and so on. With this rule in mind, there are several rules for when Punto and Banco must draw another card on the tables, which are explained below:

Punto Draw Rules

• 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in value: draw one card
• 6 and 7 in value: no more draw and stand
• 8 and 9 are "naturals" and always lie down

• 0, 1 and 2 are always a draw
• 3 draws as a Punto 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 9 has
• 4 draws if Punto has 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7
• 5 times right if Punto has 4, 5, 6 or 7
• 6 equals when Punto has 6 or 7
• 7 stand still.
• 8 and 9 are naturals

These are the Basic Rules of Punto Banco. It may take some time to remember all of these completely, but over time you will know. The dealer will also always announce which move he / she has to make, so in a online casino games you can follow the action as easily as you can online.

Payouts

The payouts when playing live Punto Banco depends on which of the options you choose to place your bet on. If you place a bet on Punto to win then you will be paid even money on your bet if you win, while placing a bet on Banco 19-20 will pay out in odds, meaning that a 5% “tax” or “commission” will be deducted from the winnings of winning bets placed on banco.

If you want to place a bet on a draw, you will get even higher payouts, because the chance of winning is very low. Most New Online Casino will write that a draw pays 9-1, which in reality is 8: 1 on your money. The casino house edge on bets on draws is a whopping 14% compared to 1.27% on Punto or Banco, so keep this in mind if you want to place a bet on draws.

Table layout

Punto Banco is played at great baccarat tables with seating for up to 12 or 14 players, two dealers and a bench. Sometimes, in smaller rooms or online, you can play at smaller tables, such as those used in blackjack or mini-baccarat.

There are two designated boxes on the table for bets on the Punto (player) and the Banco (bank). There may also be a third box for even bets – or tie bets. The game is played with six or eight decks of Cards shuffled by the dealer before each round. Players place their bets on the boxes for Punto, Banco, or Egalité.

When all bets have been placed, the player in first place (or the first to the dealer's right) draws four cards and hands them to the dealer. The dealer then puts them face down on the table – one card for the Player, One for the banker, and then again the same – one for the player and one for the banker. In Punto Banco all the dealing is handled by the casino staff as opposed to Chemin de Fer where the players shuffle and deal the cards.

Frequently Asked Questions