The game is played in any one of three versions: Player-banker (Punto Banco), Baccarat Banque, or Chemin de Fer. Punto Banco is the most popular version in both online and land casinos and is almost always simply referred to as baccarat.
Punto Banco is played using one or several decks with all cards except jokers. Each card between 2 and 9 carries its actual value. The ace carries a value of one, while the other face cards have a value of zero.
The game is played by dealing one card to each hand, starting with the player hand. The cards are dealt face-up.
The croupier then deals a second to each hand, beginning with the player hand again. At that point, the hands are compared, and the return determines the next action of play. If either hand has a total of nine, it wins the round. If they are equal, the game ends as a tie and tie bets are paid out.
If neither of these occurs, the round continues, starting with a third card for the player. The player hand may also stand.
A total of cards exceeding nine is considered using the last number of the total. A hand with a five and a seven (total 12), is, for instance, considered a two.