Punto Banco is considered a glamorous game, with
high limits. The object of the game is for you to chose which side, the Player
or the Banker, will finish closest to nine when all cards have been drawn.
Picture cards and tens count as 0; Aces count as 1, and all other cards count as
face value. If required, a third card is dealt to each hand according to
specific rules outlined in the chart below. If the point value of the first two
cards drawn for either hand is 8 or 9, that is known as a "Natural" and no
additional cards will be drawn. Hands don't ever exceed 9 (bust), because the
first digit of a two-digit number is always dropped. For example, if 5 and 7 are
drawn for a total of 12, the count is 2. The hand with the highest point total
closest to nine wins.
Winning "Player" bets are paid even money. "Banker" winning bets are paid at the
odds of 19/20. If both hands result in identical totals, the "Tie" bet wins,
paying 8 to 1 (chips are placed on the "Tie" section of the table). When a "Tie"
occurs, all bets on the "Player" and the "Banker" are neither paid nor taken.
Drawing rules for the Player:
| If the player's first two cards (initial draw) total� | The player... |
|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 0 | Draws |
| 6, 7 | Stand |
| 8, 9 | Stands (Natural) |
| If the banker's first two cards (initial draw) total� | Banker Draws When Player's Third Card is: | Banker Does NOT Draw When the Player's Third Card is: |
|---|---|---|
| 0, 1, 2 | Banker must always draw on 0, 1, 2 | - |
| 3 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,0 | 8 |
| 4 | 2,3,4,5,6,7 | 1,8,9,0 |
| 5 | 4,5,6,7 | 1,2,3,8,9,0 |
| 6 | 6,7 | 1,2,3,4,5,8,9,0 |
| 7 | - | Stand |
| 8, 9 | - | Stands (Natural) |
When the player stands on 6 or 7, the Banker must draw on totals of 0,1,2,3,4, and 5, and stand on 6,7,8 and 9. The Banker must draw on totals of 0,1 or 2, then observe the rules for Banker. There are no optional draws.