With "baccarat draw rules", the key is the order in which cards come out. Baccarat looks formal and plays simply: two hands, called player and banker, are dealt, and the bettor backs one of them or a tie. Nobody at the table makes a decision about drawing, because a fixed rule decides whether each hand takes a third card. Knowing the point values and that rule makes every round easy to follow, from the first card to the result.
The main bets are player, banker and tie. A winning player bet pays even money, a winning banker bet pays even money less a fee taken because the banker hand wins slightly more often, and a tie usually pays eight to one. When the round ends in a tie, player and banker bets are returned at most tables. Pair bets and other extras sit beside the main boxes, each with its own payout printed on the table.
The player hand acts first. With a total from zero to five it draws a third card, and with six or seven it stands. That part of the rule is simple and never varies between tables. The player's third card, if one is drawn, then becomes the key to what the banker hand does next, which is why the banker's rule looks more complicated than it really is. The dealer applies both parts as a matter of course.
Cards from two to nine count at face value, aces count one, and tens and picture cards count nothing. A hand's total is the last digit of the sum, so a seven and an eight make five. The highest possible total is nine. Two cards totalling eight or nine are a natural, and a natural on either side ends the round at once with no further cards drawn. The hand closer to nine wins the round.
Twos through nines keep their face value, aces are worth one, and tens along with picture cards score nothing, so a seven and an eight make five.
Each box on the layout carries its own minimum, and the table limits show the smallest accepted stake for player, banker, tie and pair bets.
The banker hand wins slightly more often than the player hand, so a winning banker bet pays even money minus a small commission.
A tie usually pays eight to one on the tie box, and at most tables bets on player or banker are handed back rather than lost.
If the player stood, banker draws on five or less; otherwise banker always draws on two or less, stands on seven, and between three and six follows a printed table.
Pair bets and other extras sit beside the main boxes, each paying at the rate printed on the layout for that particular wager.