Punto Banco is a popular casino card game, a version of the traditionally popular baccarat. The main difference is that in Punto Banco, it does not offer optional plays as the cards are distributed as per a set scheme. Most casinos will have a separate table for Punto Banco with12-14 players, and frequently this game involves very large sums of money. It is an extremely interesting game, more so because of the high stakes involved and simplicity of the game.

In this game, the dealer begins by shuffling the deck of cards and then handing it to a player to cut. Once this is done, the deck of cards is placed inside the ‘Shoe’. In most cases, it’s the casino that is the dealer.

The players can choose not to deal – which is indicated by passing the Shoe on to the next player. As long as Banco wins, the shoe remains with the same player, but in the event of Punto winning; it will have to be passed on. Once dealing is completed, the hand with the highest count wins. In the event that the dealer is not from the casino, and merely participating, he does not make the payouts, they are made by the casino.

There are only two bets to be made in this game: on Punto or player, or Banco – the bank, there is also a third option – the ‘Tie’ or ‘Stand Off’ which is rarely ever used. Each player can bet on Punto or Banco or the Tie, and this is done in the betting area of the table. The dealer does not take part in the game – but merely deals the cards and settles the bets, which is generally the casino.

The dealer deals two cards each to the Bank and the Punto. The player who is the Punto looks at his card and then passes it on to the dealer who announces the total and places it on the ‘Punto’ part of the casino table. Next, the one who is the Bank will look at his card and hand it over to the dealer, who announces the total and places it on the Banco part of the casino table.

The cards are valued as follows: 10’s and cards with faces do not have any value. The other cards are valued as per their numbers. An Ace is counted as 1 and suits have no value. In the event that the value of the cards spills over into double digit, then only the value of the right digit is taken. So a 12 is counted as 2 and so on.

The hand that totals 8 or 9 or is a ‘natural’ is the winner. The dealer will then announce the total of each hand and settles the bets made. In the event that both the Punto and Banco hands are natural, it becomes a ‘Stand Off’ or a tie. In this case, the players who’ve bet on tie win. The dealer then settles the bets accordingly and makes the payouts. There are very specific rules to be followed in case a third card needs to be dealt, which is usually handled by the casino. In general, casinos collect a 5% commission on a Banco win, as it has been calculated that it tends to win more times than Punto.