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Baccarat: How Hands are Dealt

Initial Deal

Step 1: Two Cards Each

  • • Player gets 2 cards
  • • Banker gets 2 cards
  • • All cards dealt face up

Step 2: Check for Natural

  • • Natural = 8 or 9 with first 2 cards
  • • Natural wins immediately
  • • No third cards dealt

Natural Examples

Natural 9: Ace + 8 = 9 (highest possible natural)

Natural 8: 3 + 5 = 8 (second highest natural)

Not Natural: 4 + 3 = 7 (good hand, but not natural)

Third Card Rules Preview

If no natural is dealt, specific rules determine if a third card is drawn:

Important: You don't make these decisions - they're automatic according to fixed rules. We'll cover the exact rules in the next lesson.