Baccarat Dealing Procedure At A Glance
Here’s the full sequence in five steps. If you can track this, you can follow any baccarat table.
- Betting window opens (you choose Banker, Player, or Tie)
- Two cards to Player, two cards to Banker
- Totals are checked + natural check (8 or 9)
- Third-card rule timing (Player draw first, then Banker)
- Final totals are compared + payouts happen
Exact baccarat card order can vary by casino, but the sequence of checks, draws, and payouts is the same.
For the full big-picture guide, start here: The Complete Guide To Baccarat.
What “Dealing Procedure” Means In Baccarat
The dealing procedure is simply the game’s rhythm:
- when you’re allowed to bet
- how the cards are dealt
- when naturals stop the hand
- when third cards are drawn
- when the result is paid
You do not make decisions mid-hand. Your only decision is your bet, before the cards come out.
The Three Main Bets Happen Before Any Cards Are Dealt
Every round starts with betting. You choose one:
- Banker
- Player
- Tie
This is where most beginners get tripped up. Baccarat is strict about timing. Once the dealer begins the deal, your bet is locked. If you miss the window, you wait for the next hand.
Quick Beginner Tip: Bet Early, Not Late
If you’re still learning the pace, place your bet as soon as the betting window opens. Fast tables move quickly, and “late betting” is one of the easiest ways to feel rushed.
Baccarat Dealing Procedure Step By Step
This is the standard flow you’ll see in most casinos and live dealer games.
Step 1: Betting Window Opens
You place your chips on Banker, Player, or Tie. Some tables also offer side bets, but they happen in the same betting window.
When betting closes, the hand starts.
Step 2: Two Cards Are Dealt To Each Hand
The dealer deals:
- two cards to Player
- two cards to Banker
The exact baccarat dealing order can differ slightly by casino (especially if the table has different traditions), but both hands always end up with two cards before anything else happens.
Step 3: Totals Are Calculated (Fast)
The dealer totals both hands using baccarat scoring:
- A is one
- 2–9 are face value
- 10/J/Q/K are zero
- totals use only the last digit
This is why the game feels fast. Dealers do these totals automatically.
Step 4: Natural Check (Does The Hand End Now?)
Before any third-card action, the dealer checks for a natural.
A natural is:
- 8 or 9 on the first two cards
If Player or Banker has 8 or 9, the hand usually ends immediately. No third cards.
Step 5: Third-Card Rule Timing (Player First, Then Banker)
If there is no natural, the dealer moves into the third-card rule. This is where beginners feel like the hand suddenly “jumps.”
The important thing to understand is the timing:
- Player draw decision happens first
- Banker draw decision happens after that
So if Player draws, you’ll often see Player’s third card hit the table, then Banker reacts right after.
When The Third Card Happens (And Why It Feels Sudden)
If you want a simple way to follow this in real time, remember:
- Player totals 0–5 usually draw
- Player totals 6–7 usually stand
- Banker may draw based on its total and Player’s third card
You do not need to memorise the full Banker chart to follow the procedure. You only need to know what the dealer is doing and when.
What To Focus On As A Beginner
Instead of trying to predict the draw, track the sequence:
- two and two
- natural check
- Player decision
- Banker decision
- compare totals
If you do that, you will never feel lost.
Two Quick Examples To Make The Procedure Click
These examples show the difference between a hand that ends instantly and a hand that uses the third-card rule.
Example 1: Natural Ends The Hand Fast
- Player is dealt 3 and 5 → total 8
- Banker is dealt 4 and 2 → total 6
Player has a natural 8, so the hand ends immediately. No third cards. Player wins.
This is why baccarat can feel “too fast” at first. Naturals end rounds right away.
Example 2: No Natural, Third-Card Rule Kicks In
- Player is dealt 2 and 3 → total 5
- Banker is dealt 4 and 2 → total 6
No naturals (nobody has 8 or 9).
- Player total is 5, so Player draws a third card
- Player draws a 6 → Player total becomes 1 (5 + 6 = 11 → 1)
Now the dealer checks Banker’s rule, which depends on Banker’s total and Player’s third card. Banker may draw or stand. Either way, the dealer finishes the hand and compares the final totals.
Notice what matters here: you can follow the hand without knowing the full Banker chart, because the procedure is predictable.
Why The Dealing Procedure Matters (Even If You Can’t Control The Cards)
You might be thinking, “If I can’t make decisions, why should I care about the procedure?”
Because it affects how you behave at the table.
It Prevents Late Bet Mistakes
Beginners often try to place chips as the first cards come out. Dealers won’t accept it. You end up frustrated and chasing the next hand.
Knowing the timing keeps you calm.
It Reduces Distraction Bets
When you feel behind, you’re more likely to:
- chase streaks
- jump between Banker and Player randomly
- toss in Tie bets “just because”
When you understand the flow, you stop treating baccarat like a guessing game.
It Helps You Track Your Sessions
If you track wins and losses (even casually), you need to know exactly when a hand is complete. The dealing procedure gives you that rhythm.
If you want a simple, beginner-friendly walkthrough of scoring and what each step means, read How Baccarat Works: Rules, Hand Values & Gameplay Basics.
What Changes In Different Baccarat Formats?
The procedure is consistent, but the experience can change.
Mini Baccarat
- Dealer handles everything
- Fast, consistent pace
- Easy to follow once you know the five-step sequence
Traditional Baccarat (High-Limit Rooms)
- Same core dealing procedure
- Players may be allowed to touch or “squeeze” cards (depends on casino)
- Pace can feel slower because the squeeze ritual adds time
The squeeze does not change the rules or odds. It only changes the vibe.
Online Live Dealer Baccarat
- Same flow as a real table
- UI often shows totals and results instantly
- Camera angles and table overlays can affect how easy it is to follow
If the stream feels confusing, go back to the five steps and you’ll lock in.
Common Beginner Confusions During The Deal
“Why Did Banker Draw There?”
Because Banker rules sometimes depend on Player’s third card. The dealer is following the chart, not making a choice.
“Why Didn’t Player Draw On A 6?”
On standard tables, Player stands on 6 or 7. That surprises a lot of beginners.
“Why Did The Hand End So Fast?”
Naturals end the hand right away. Once you start spotting 8s and 9s, baccarat becomes much easier to track.
Simple Tips To Follow Baccarat Hands Without Stress
- Watch the first two totals. If you see 8 or 9, expect the hand to end.
- If Player is 0–5, expect a Player third card.
- After Player draws, expect the dealer to check Banker rules quickly.
- Focus on the sequence, not the scoreboard.
This makes baccarat feel slower, even when it isn’t.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Baccarat Dealing Procedure?
It’s the step-by-step sequence of a hand: betting window, two cards to each hand, natural check, third-card rule timing, then payouts.
Does The Card Order Matter In Baccarat?
The exact dealing order can vary by casino, but the same checks and draw rules apply, so the game outcome rules stay the same.
When Does The Third Card Get Dealt?
Only when there is no natural (eight or nine). Player draw happens first, then Banker draws or stands based on the rule chart.
Why Does Baccarat Feel So Fast?
Hands resolve quickly because scoring is simple, naturals end hands instantly, and the dealer runs all draw decisions automatically.
Where To Go Next
You’ve now learned the baccarat dealing procedure step by step, from the betting window and card order to the natural check and third-card timing.
If you want to stop guessing during the draw, the best next move is to learn what the third-card rule really means, because that’s the part that makes baccarat feel “automatic” and confusing at first.
Continue with What the Third-Card Rule Really Means (Explained Simply).
