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Punto Banco | Rules and How to Play | LeoVegas Casino

Punto Banco Complete Guide

Summary:

Punto Banco, a card game popular in both physical and online casinos, is a simplified version of Baccarat. Its origins trace back to 15th century France, with soldiers adopting it during the Italian Wars. In Punto Banco, players bet on either the Bank (dealer), the Player (Punto), or a tie, aiming to reach a score of 9 or close to it.

Unlike traditional Baccarat, where players control card draws, in Punto Banco, the dealer dictates the card distribution, making it easier for players.

The game involves placing bets, receiving cards, and awaiting the dealer's decisions. Card values range from 0 to 9, with rules for drawing additional cards outlined for both Player and Banker hands. Punto Banco offers relatively favorable odds, with house edges ranging from 1.06% to 14.4% for Tie bets.

Table of Content:

What is Punto Banco?

Punto Banco is a simple card game, based on a point system, played in both bricks-and-mortar and virtual casinos. Online baccarat has become extremely popular in recent years, partially helped by its appearance in several James Bond films.

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Technically, Punto Banco is a version of Baccarat, although, in reality, these are colloquially positioned as two separate games, with varying sets of similar rules. The origins of Punto Banco have been debated through time, with analysts usually placing its introduction at two different stages of history. Some gaming historians believe that the game gained initial traction in fifteenth century France, with French soldiers embracing a local pastime they witnessed during their exertions in the Italian Wars.

The main objective of the game is for players to place a bet on either the Bank (‘Banco’), which is in this case the dealer, the Player (‘Punto’), or a tie.

What is the difference between Punto Banco and Baccarat?

As previously referenced, in the purest sense, Punto Banco is specific form of Baccarat, in the same spirit as Chemin de Fer or Banque versions of the vertical. However, there is a key fundamental difference in the way ‘classic’ Baccarat compares to Punto Banco.

In Punto Banco, the dealer controls, via virtue of the game rules, when cards are issued. Indeed, there are various permutations where a dealer is compelled to introduce another card to the ‘Punto’, ‘Banco’, or both. Conversely, in traditional Baccarat, the player determines when, and how often their cards are drawn. In this sense, as the game is dictated by the dealer, Punto Banco involves less player involvement, and is therefore accepted as the easier vertical to play.

Most gambling establishments will deploy Punto Banco as its Baccarat version of choice.

Punto Banco Rules

At the beginning of the game, players must back one of three outcomes – Punto, Banco, or Tie – and position their real or digital chips accordingly.

The aim of the game is to achieve a score of 9 points, or reach a number as close to this as possible. Each card carries a specific value (more to follow), which is cumulatively added as the game progresses.

Each party (player and bank) starts with two cards, dealt face-up to reveal their values. This is because there is no advantage of cards being hidden, as the next move is dictated by the rules of the game, as opposed to the whim of the player. In specific circumstances, which can apply to either the ‘Punto’ or the ‘Banco’, the dealer will draw another card. When all necessary cards have been dealt, the overall values are calculated, a winner declared, and pay-outs delivered.

How to play Punto Banco

Given that the outcomes of the game are ultimately outside the player’s control, the process of learning how to play Punto Banco is remarkably easy.

To play Punto Banco, players must:

  1. Locate an appropriate game table.
  2. Place a wager on a predicted outcome – you can bet on Punto, Banco, or tie.
  3. Review the two cards issued by the dealer. At this stage, it’s helpful to be aware of the cards’ current value.
  4. Allow the dealer to turn their cards.
  5. Await the dealer to issue any further cards based on the original draw outcome.
  6. Await the dealer to calculate each card-set value.
  7. Hopefully receive their pay-out!

The card stack used to sustain the game is comprised of 4, 6, or 8 decks of cards, and an upper limit of fourteen players can participate in a singular round.

Card Values in Punto Banco

As alluded to earlier, each card drawn in Punto Banco Baccarat holds a particular value, or ‘points’ amount. Any card which typically carries a value of ten in a card game, i.e., the number 10, Jack, Queen, and King, is worth 0 points, whilst cards numbered 2-9 offer point values consistent with their appearance. For example, a number 3 is worth three points, a 6 equates to six points, and so forth. An ace is given a value of one point.

It should be noted that on any occasion a player’s hand exceeds nine points, their score is collated by working out the differential between the nine-point threshold, and the sum of their two, or three, cards. It’s perhaps best to illustrate this via a live example:

  1. A dealer draws the ‘Punto’ two cards, revealing a 6 and a 7.
  2. Therefore, the total points value sits at 13.
  3. The differential down to 10 (the next closest number to the targeted nine) is 3.
  4. Therefore, the player hand is worth 3 points.
  5. In this instance a third card would be dealt (more on this to follow), which would be added to the progressive points score.
  6. After the ‘Banco’ has completed their card draw(s), the two totals are compared, and a winner determined.

Punto Banco Table Layout

Punto Banco grids vary dependent on venue and platform, but the basic display principles always remain.

Each player at the table will have a location to place their chips, divided into Punto, Banco, and Tie segments. Most tables will present cards in a relatively central position, in clear view of all players. To ensure total clarity with which hand belongs to which party, some tables will have defined Punto and Banco boxes that cards are directly dealt into.

Drawing Additional Cards

In some instances, the value of an initial dealt hand will trigger an extra card draw. The rules associated with this development are relatively complicated in nature, but do get easier with time and practice.

Furthermore, the dealer is entirely accountable for facilitating the game, and therefore it is only them who strictly need to be aware of situations where a third card is required. However, in casino games, it’s always useful for players to have a firm understanding of the events unfolding.

Instances where third cards are/are not dealt, in reference to each party, are listed below:

Punto

  • If the two cards given represent a total point score of zero to five, a third card is dealt.
  • If the two cards represent a total point score of six or seven, no additional card is issued. In this scenario the player ‘stands’
  • In instances where the first two cards tally eight or nine points as a total, this is referred to as a ‘natural’, and no further ‘Punto’ cards are dispensed. Typically, this would trump a banker’s hand, but in rare cases the dealer may reveal the same cards value. This would result in a tied game.

Should the player only receive two cards, the dealer’s draw will follow the same methodology as above. However, if the Punto hand requires a third card, a set of more intricate rules are assumed:

Banco (if player allocated three cards)

  • If the player is issued a number 2 or 3 as their third card, the dealer will also draw a third card if their own score sits between 0-4, but ‘stands’ if their current tally is 5-7.
  • If the third card given to the Punto is 4 or 5, the banker takes a third card if the value of their hand is between 0-5, but stands if their points score is 6 or 7.
  • If the player is awarded a 6 or 7 as their third card, the dealer must take a card if their score is currently between 0-6, but must stand at 7 points.
  • If an 8 is revealed as the Punto’s third card, the banker will only receive a third card if their progressive total is between 0-2, and must stand if they have between 3-7 points.
  • Lastly, if the player is issued with a 9, 10, Royal, or Ace, the dealer will draw an extra card if their points score is between 0-3, and will stand if their current value is between 4-7.

Punto Banco Odds and Pay-out

One of the most attractive features of Punto Banco Baccarat is its generous earnings potential. The house enjoys a far slimmer advantage than it does in the vast majority of table games, which serves to enhance the popularity of the vertical with beginners and advanced players alike.

House edges

  • Player (Punto): 1.36%
  • Banker (Banco): 1.06%
  • Combined (Punto and Banco): 1.24%
  • Tie: 14.4%

Typically, winning Punto or Banco bets are paid at odds of 1/1. However, the house leverages a 5% commission on successful Banco bets to support its playing edge. A tie is positioned at 8/1 or 9/1, dependent on the administrating casino.

Win %

  • Player (Punto): 44.6%
  • Banker (Banco): 45.9%
  • Tie: 9.5%

Statistically therefore, even with the 5% commission outlay, the most productive bet is on the banker.

Punto Banco ‘side bets’

As well as its traditional betting framework, Punto Banco accommodates a range of ‘side bets’

Here, punters can wager on a range of possible outcomes, such as whether a three-card hand will win the round, or the total overall points score between the playing parties. Recently, a ‘Dragon Bonus’ structure has become available in online Punto Banco games, whereby players are paid in increments dependent on the ‘scale’ of victory (e.g. win by nine points paid at odds of 30-1, whereas a win by seven points is paid at 6-1).

There are multiple variations of side bets available, dependent on operator, venue, and geographical region.

Punto Banco FAQs

How do you play Punto Banco?

Punto Banco is a simple casino table game played with a small number of cards. Players must bet on which card hand they believe will represent the closest value to nine points: ‘Punto’ or ‘Banco’ (or wager on ‘tie’ if they expect points values to match).

Is Punto Banco the same as Baccarat?

Punto Banco is technically a form of Baccarat, but in the context of modern-day casinos, there is a difference between ‘classic’ Baccarat and the Punto Banco vertical.

What is the difference between Punto Banco and Baccarat?

The key difference between the two games is the conditions in which cards are drawn. Punto Banco rules dictate when cards are issued, whereas the player effects when cards are drawn in Baccarat.

How do you win at Punto Banco?

The winner will be in possession of a hand which carries the closest cumulative value to nine points.

What are the other baccarat variations?

Baccarat chemin de fer is another type of baccarat, however, it is not usually available in online casinos.

Read more about baccarat in our guides: