
The third card rule in baccarat might be confusing to new players, which leads them to ask when is a third card drawn in baccarat? The third card rule is applied differently for players and bankers:
- The player draws a third card if the initial two cards have a total between 0-5.
- If the player does not draw a third card, then the player rules apply to the banker.
- If the player is dealt a 2 or 3 as the third card, then the banker draws a third card when the total is between 0 and 5.
- If the player is dealt a 6 or 7 as the third card, the banker draws a third card with a total between 0 and 6.
- If the player is dealt an 8 as a third card, the banker will draw a third card only if the player's two-card total is between 0 and 2.
- Lastly, if the player is dealt an ace, 10, face card, or 9 as a third card, the banker must draw a third card if its total is between 0 and 3.
The banker pulls a third card depending on the outcome of the player's draw. This gives the banker a slight edge in the game.