Standard baccarat tables can accommodate up to 14 players simultaneously. There are three dealers present at each table; the main one who directs the game is called the “croupier.” The other two dealers assist players with dealing of hands and handle the winnings and losses.

The house dealer first shuffles the cards; most games use either six or eight decks. The croupier places the cards in the shoe and hands it to the first player on his right. The responsibility of dealing individual hands rotates counterclockwise around the table; however, each player remains the dealer until he loses a bet. If a player does not want to deal, she may pass the shoe on to the next player.

Players make their bets prior to the dealing of each hand, and then the croupier deals four cards facedown. The player with the largest wager on “player” is the first to see the “player” hand. If either hand is an eight or nine—a “natural” —it automatically wins and the round ends. If both hands are naturals, a nine beats an eight, and if they’re the same, then it is a tie. If neither hand is a natural, the croupier draws cards according to baccarat drawing rules.

The final hands in baccarat are always either two or three cards. There are no options to the players, or the banker; cards drawn are by the rules. After cards are drawn, the banker determines and announces either bank or players as winner. If there is a tie, the dealers return players’ bets on “player” and “dealer,” and then pay out bets placed on tie.