What The Third-Card Rule Is In Baccarat
The third-card rule is a set of fixed instructions that decides:
- when Player draws a third card
- when Banker draws a third card
- when the hand ends with only two cards each
You do not choose anything during the hand. The dealer follows the rules every time.
If you want the full big-picture guide first, start here: The Complete Guide To Baccarat.
Why Baccarat Needs A Third-Card Rule At All
Baccarat is built to be fast, consistent, and hands-off. If the game stopped after two cards every time, you’d get too many “low totals” and the game would feel incomplete.
The third-card rule:
- pushes more hands toward a final result
- keeps the pace steady
- creates the small difference between Banker and Player odds
That last part matters. Banker’s draw rules are slightly more favorable, which is one reason Banker often has the lowest house edge.
The Flow You Should Remember (No Memorizing Needed)
If you only remember one thing, remember the order:
- Two cards are dealt to Player and Banker
- Check for a natural (8 or 9)
- Resolve Player’s draw rule
- Resolve Banker’s draw rule
- Compare final totals and pay bets
This is the “third-card rule timing” that makes baccarat predictable to follow.
The Natural Rule Comes First (And Stops Everything)
Before any third card happens, the dealer checks for a natural.
- If Player has 8 or 9, the hand ends
- If Banker has 8 or 9, the hand ends
No extra cards. No chart. Just compare totals.
Naturals are a big reason baccarat can feel fast.
Player Third-Card Rule (Simple Version)
Player’s rule is easy, and most players remember it quickly.
When Player Draws
Player draws a third card when the Player total is:
- 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5
When Player Stands
Player stands when the Player total is:
- 6 or 7
When The Hand Ends
If Player has:
- 8 or 9 (a natural), the hand ends
That’s the Player side of the third-card rule.
Banker Third-Card Rule (Why There’s A Chart)
Banker is the part that looks “complicated,” because Banker’s decision can depend on what Player drew.
So the dealer checks:
- Banker total, and sometimes
- Player’s third card value
This is why you’ll see a printed chart at many tables. The dealer is not guessing. They are following a fixed chart.
Banker Third-Card Rule Explained In Plain English
You do not need to memorize the full chart, but you should understand the logic of what’s happening.
Banker Usually Draws On Low Totals
In general, Banker is more likely to draw when its total is low.
If Banker has:
- 0, 1, or 2, Banker draws almost always
As the Banker total gets higher, the dealer becomes more likely to stand.
Player’s Third Card Can Change Banker’s Decision
When Player draws a third card, Banker’s decision sometimes changes based on that third card.
This is the key idea:
- Banker is not only reacting to its own total
- Banker is also reacting to the value of Player’s third card
That is why baccarat has a small built-in difference between Banker and Player outcomes.
A Simple Way To Follow Banker Without Memorizing
Here’s the beginner-friendly method.
Step 1: Watch For Naturals
If you see 8 or 9 on the first two cards, the hand usually ends.
Step 2: Check Player Total
- Player 0–5? Expect a Player third card.
- Player 6–7? Player stands.
Step 3: Expect Banker To Use The Chart If Player Drew
If Player drew a third card, Banker may draw too, depending on the rule chart.
You do not need the exact rule in your head. You just need to know why the dealer pauses for half a second and then acts.
If you want the full deal rhythm, including the betting window, natural check, and the order the third cards appear, read Understanding The Dealing Procedure In Baccarat.
Two Examples That Make The Third-Card Rule Click
Examples are the fastest way to understand the third-card rule in real time.
Example 1: Player Stands, Banker Action Is Simple
- Player: 4 and 2 → total 6
- Banker: 3 and 2 → total 5
No natural.
- Player total is 6, so Player stands
- Banker total is 5, and the dealer applies Banker rule
- Banker may draw based on its total (this is a common draw spot)
Even without the full chart, you can track what’s happening.
Example 2: Player Draws, Banker Reacts To The Third Card
- Player: 2 and 3 → total 5
- Banker: 4 and 2 → total 6
No natural.
- Player total is 5, so Player draws a third card
- Player draws a 6 → Player total becomes 1 (5 + 6 = 11 → 1)
Now Banker checks the chart because Player drew. Banker may draw or stand based on its total and the value of Player’s third card.
Again, your goal is not to predict it. Your goal is to understand why the dealer is doing it.
Common Misunderstandings About The Third-Card Rule
“Can I Choose To Draw?”
No. Baccarat does not give you play decisions during the hand. The dealer follows the rulebook.
“Does The Third-Card Rule Change My Bet?”
Your bet is locked before the hand starts. The third-card rule only affects how the hand finishes.
“Is The Third-Card Rule A Strategy?”
Not really. It’s just the game rules. Strategy in baccarat is mostly about bet selection and bankroll control.
Why Banker And Player Odds Are Different
This is the part most people miss.
Because Banker sometimes draws differently (and reacts to Player’s third card), Banker wins slightly more often over many hands.
That’s why casinos:
- often charge commission on Banker wins
- still end up offering Banker as the lowest house edge bet most of the time
Tips To Stay Calm When The Third Card Happens
- Focus on the sequence: natural check → Player decision → Banker decision
- Don’t treat the chart like a “prediction tool,” it’s just rules
- Avoid changing bets mid-session because a third card “looked weird”
- If you feel lost, slow down and watch two hands without betting
The third-card rule only feels confusing when you’re trying to keep up without a mental map.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Third-Card Rule In Baccarat?
It’s the automatic rulebook that tells the dealer when Player and Banker draw a third card. You do not make choices during the hand.
When Does Player Draw A Third Card?
Player draws on totals of 0 to 5, and stands on 6 or 7. If there is a natural 8 or 9, the hand ends.
Why Does Banker Use A Chart?
Because Banker’s draw decision can depend on its total and Player’s third card. The dealer follows a fixed chart, not a guess.
Do I Need To Memorize The Third-Card Rule?
No. You can follow the hand by remembering the flow: natural check, Player draw decision, then Banker decision.
Does The Third-Card Rule Affect The Odds?
Yes. The drawing rules create a small difference between Banker and Player outcomes, which is why Banker often has slightly better odds.
Where To Go Next
You now understand what the baccarat third-card rule is really doing, and why it feels confusing when you first watch a fast table.
If you want to make this even easier to follow, the best next step is learning why Banker tends to have the lowest house edge, because it connects directly to how these draw rules work.
Continue with Why the Banker Bet Has the Lowest House Edge.
