Baccarat is procedurally simpler than blackjack or craps, but the high stakes and cultural significance demand precision and professionalism.
This guide covers essential baccarat dealing procedures for both mini-baccarat and full-size games.
Baccarat Formats
Mini-Baccarat
Layout: Blackjack-sized table with one dealer.
Player involvement: Dealer handles all cards. Players only bet.
Pace: Fast—hands dealt quickly.
Limits: Lower than big table. Accessible to more players.
Big Table Baccarat
Layout: Large table with two dealers and a caller.
Player involvement: Players may handle cards when betting on the winning side.
Pace: Slower, more ceremonial.
Limits: High-limit, VIP-focused.
Dealer Roles (Big Table)
Caller (stickperson): Announces cards, directs action, determines drawing.
Base dealers (2): Handle bets, payouts, and commission tracking on their half.
Card Values and Hands
Card Values
Face cards and tens: 0 points Aces: 1 point 2-9: Face value
Hand calculation: Add card values, drop the tens digit. Examples:
- 7 + 5 = 12 → 2 points
- 8 + 8 = 16 → 6 points
- K + 4 = 4 points (K = 0)
Natural Wins
Natural 8 or 9: If either Player or Banker has 8 or 9 on initial two cards, no more cards are drawn.
Higher natural wins: If both have naturals, higher total wins. Equal totals push.
Drawing Rules
Player Rules
0-5: Player draws 6-7: Player stands 8-9: Natural, no draw
Banker Rules (More Complex)
Banker 0-2: Always draws
Banker 3: Draws unless Player's third card was 8.
Banker 4: Draws if Player's third card was 2-7.
Banker 5: Draws if Player's third card was 4-7.
Banker 6: Draws if Player's third card was 6-7.
Banker 7: Stands
Banker 8-9: Natural, no draw
Drawing Rule Reference
Keep a reference card available until rules become automatic. Many dealers tape it to the table or keep it nearby.
Memory aid: Practice scenarios until the rules are intuitive, not lookup-dependent.
Mini-Baccarat Procedures
Opening
Verify bank: Count and verify opening chip inventory.
Shoe preparation: Eight decks shuffled and loaded. Cut card near back.
Dealing Sequence
Step 1: Announce "no more bets" and close betting.
Step 2: Deal first card to Player box.
Step 3: Deal second card to Banker box.
Step 4: Deal third card to Player box.
Step 5: Deal fourth card to Banker box.
Step 6: Reveal Player hand, announce total.
Step 7: Reveal Banker hand, announce total.
Step 8: Apply drawing rules if needed.
Step 9: Announce winner, pay/collect.
Card Handling
Pitch: Cards dealt face down, then revealed.
Visibility: Turn cards so all players can see.
Position: Keep cards within designated areas.
Announcing Results
Call clearly: "Player shows 5. Banker shows 8. Banker wins."
Winner identification: Specify Player, Banker, or Tie.
Betting and Payouts
Bet Types
Player: 1:1 payout Banker: 1:1 minus 5% commission Tie: 8:1 or 9:1 (property-specific)
Commission Handling
Method 1 - Running commission: Track commission owed, collect when player leaves or periodically.
Method 2 - Collect per hand: Deduct commission from each winning Banker bet immediately.
Commission calculation: 5% of Banker win.
- $100 win = $5 commission
- $500 win = $25 commission
Commission-Free Baccarat
Alternative rules: No commission on Banker wins, but Banker 6 pays 50% (1:2).
Procedure: Track Banker 6 wins differently. Pay half.
Tie Bet
When to pay: Only when Player and Banker have equal totals.
Original bets: Player and Banker bets push on a tie (returned, not won or lost).
Big Table Procedures
Caller Duties
Control game pace: Direct action, call results.
Card direction: Instruct which player handles cards.
Drawing determination: Announce whether draw is required.
Player Card Handling
Tradition: Highest bettor on each side may handle cards.
Reveal: Player squeezes/reveals cards dramatically.
Return: Cards returned to caller for announcement.
Base Dealer Duties
Bet management: Handle all bets on assigned side.
Commission tracking: Maintain running commission total.
Payouts: Pay winners, collect losers per caller instruction.
Commission Tracking
Running Commission
Method: Use markers or chips to track commission owed by each player.
Collection points:
- When player leaves
- End of shoe
- When total reaches threshold
Marker Systems
Lammers: Small markers representing commission amounts.
Chip counting: Some dealers use chip representations.
Paper tracking: Big tables may use written records.
Accuracy
Critical: Commission errors are money errors. Verify regularly.
Player disputes: Clear tracking prevents disputes.
Side Bets
Common Side Bets
Dragon Bonus: Pays for winning by large margin or natural.
Pairs: Player pair, Banker pair, either pair.
Big/Small: Based on total cards dealt.
Procedure
Separate tracking: Side bets resolved independently from main bet.
Paytables: Property-specific. Know your table's paytables.
Shoe and Card Management
New Shoe Procedure
Shuffle: Follow property shuffle procedures.
Cut: Player cuts with cut card.
Burn cards: Burn procedure varies by property.
During Shoe
Card order: Never expose cards ahead of dealing.
Discard: Place used cards in discard rack.
Cut card: Last hand dealt when cut card appears.
End of Shoe
Announcement: "Last hand of the shoe."
New shoe prep: Prepare new shoe during natural break.
High-Limit Protocol
Service Level
Attention: High-limit players expect focused service.
Speed: Deliberate pace, not rushed.
Professionalism: Formal demeanor appropriate to setting.
Bet Verification
Large bets: Verify bet amounts before dealing.
Clarity: Ensure player and dealer agree on bet size.
Floor Involvement
Supervisor presence: High-limit games typically have closer supervision.
Communication: Keep floor informed of significant wins/losses.
Game Protection
Card Exposure
Prevention: Cards never visible before proper reveal.
Positioning: Keep cards low during deal.
Bet Manipulation
Late bets: Enforce betting closure strictly.
Bet changes: No touching bets after "no more bets."
Collusion Awareness
Watch for: Unusual betting patterns between players.
Report: Suspicious activity reported to floor.
Common Scenarios
Natural on Both Sides
Higher wins: Natural 9 beats natural 8.
Equal naturals: Push—all Player and Banker bets returned.
Drawing Confusion
Reference rules: When uncertain, check rules before acting.
Supervisor: Call floor for rule clarification if needed.
Large Win/Loss
Floor notification: Significant swings require floor awareness.
Verification: Double-check large payouts.
Learning Baccarat Dealing
Key Challenges
Drawing rules: Banker drawing rules require memorization.
Commission: Accurate tracking throughout play.
Cultural aspects: Understanding player expectations in high-limit.
Practice Approach
Drill scenarios: Practice hands until drawing rules are automatic.
Commission exercise: Track fictional commissions until second nature.
Mini-baccarat first: Master single-dealer format before big table.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I memorize the drawing rules?
Practice with flashcards or dealt hands. The Player rules are simple (stand 6-7, draw 0-5). Banker rules require more practice—focus on which Player third cards trigger draws for each Banker total.
What if I make a drawing mistake?
Call floor immediately. The error must be corrected before payout. Surveillance will verify correct procedure.
Is commission tracking difficult?
It requires attention but isn't complex. The challenge is maintaining accuracy across multiple players over extended play. Systematic tracking prevents errors.
Why is baccarat dealing considered prestigious?
High-limit baccarat involves significant money and important clients. Dealers in these positions are trusted with the casino's highest-value games. The prestige comes from that responsibility.
Additional Resources
- Working as a Baccarat Dealer - Career perspective
- How to Become a Casino Dealer - Complete career guide
- Baccarat Rules - Player-focused rules