Baccarat Third Card Rules: When Do Player and Banker Get a 3rd Card?

Baccarat is one of the easiest casino games to start playing. It doesn’t require any advanced strategy or fast decisions. All you need to do is bet on whether the Player or the Banker will have a hand closer to nine or if the result will be a tie. But even though the gameplay is simple on the surface, the rules behind it—especially the third card rule—can be confusing.

Many players find the third card rules tricky to remember because they don’t follow a simple pattern. Sometimes, the Player draws a card, sometimes not. The Banker might draw depending on what the Player does. That’s why understanding these rules can help improve your confidence at the table. It also helps to know there are browser tools that can give you a cheat sheet right when you need it.

Let’s break down the third card rules so you’ll know exactly when the Player or Banker takes an extra card—and when they don’t.

Baccarat Gameplay Basics in a Nutshell

Before we get into the third card rules, it’s important to know how a regular round of Baccarat works. Baccarat is usually played with six or eight decks of cards, with two main hands: the Player and the Banker. These don’t represent you or the house—they’re just two sides you can bet on.

At the start of each round, the Player and Banker are dealt two cards each. All cards count as their face value, except Tens and face cards (J, Q, K) count as 0 and Aces as 1. 

If a hand’s total goes above 9, the first digit is dropped. For example, 7 + 6 = 13 → Counted as 3 and 5 + 5 = 10 → Counted as 0. The goal is to get a hand as close as possible to 9. After the first two cards, there are three possible outcomes:

1. A natural win (Player or Banker gets 8 or 9), and no third card is drawn.
2. Neither side has a natural, and third card rules determine what happens next.
3. The result is a tie, which is a separate betting option.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look at when the Player draws a third card—and when the Banker does.

When Does the Player Get a Third Card?

The third card rule for the Player is much simpler than the rule for the Banker. It depends only on the Player’s total from the first two cards. Here’s how it works:

The Player draws a third card if the total is 0 to 5. The Player stands (does not draw) if the total is 6 or 7. The Player has a natural 8 or 9. Let’s look at some quick examples:

The rule is strict: if the total is between 0 and 5, the Player always draws. There are no exceptions or conditions based on what the Banker has.

Now, the Banker’s decision is a bit more complicated—because it depends not only on the Banker’s total but also on whether the Player drew a third card and what that card was.

When Does the Banker Get a Third Card?

The Banker’s third card rule is more detailed. It depends on:

• The Banker’s total
• Whether the Player drew a third card
• If so, what that card was

This is where many players get confused. According to the baccarat rules explained by Baccarat Wikipedia experts, the Banker doesn’t always follow a clear “draw if under 6” rule—because the Player’s third card can change the decision. Let’s break it down on a table below.

If the Player did not draw a third card:

If the Player did draw a third card:

Let’s look at some specific examples:

• If the Banker has 5 and the Player’s third card is 5, the Banker draws.
• But if the Banker has 5 and the Player’s third card is 3, the Banker does not draw.
• If the Banker has 3 and the Player draws an 8, the Banker stands.

This rule can be hard to memorize—especially during live games or fast-paced sessions. That’s why many players use quick-access cheat sheets built into their browsers. These tools show exactly what to do based on the cards in play, and they’re available for several browsers, including Chrome.

Where Players Go Wrong with the Third Card Rule

Even though the third card rules in Baccarat follow a clear system, many players still make simple mistakes that can lead to confusion or wrong assumptions during a game.

One of the most common errors is thinking that the Banker always draws a third card when their total is 5. That’s not true. Whether the Banker draws depends not only on their total but also on whether the Player drew a third card—and what that card was.

Another frequent mistake is forgetting about natural hands. If either the Player or the Banker has a total of 8 or 9 from the first two cards, the game stops there. No third card is drawn for either side.

Some players focus only on their bet, ignoring how the rules work in the background. While you don’t need to memorize every condition, understanding the logic helps you follow the game more confidently.

For those who don’t want to keep all the rules in mind, cheat sheet extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera are a smart option. They show exactly what to do based on the cards in play—no guessing required.

Cheat Sheet Extensions to Make Life Easier

Even with a good memory, these third card rules can be tough to follow in real time. That’s where cheat sheet extensions come in. They’re available for all major browsers and show you exactly what action each hand should take based on the cards.

If you’re playing online or practicing, you can install one of these free tools and check decisions with just a glance. Many players rely on these to build confidence before playing for real money.

• For those who use Firefox, there’s a clean and easy-to-use Baccarat Cheat Sheet add-on available that works with most online Baccarat platforms.
• If you’re on Edge, Microsoft’s Baccarat Cheat Sheet extension is a great option. It updates quickly and runs quietly in the background.
• Opera users can also benefit from a handy Baccarat Cheat Sheet extension that integrates directly into the browser without slowing down.
• Of course, Chrome users can find the original version on the Chrome Web Store, which has thousands of installs and solid reviews.

 These tools are not only for beginners. Even experienced players use them to avoid mistakes and speed up decisions during gameplay.

Third Card Rules Don’t Have to Be Complicated

Knowing when the Player or Banker gets a third card can give you more confidence and control while playing Baccarat. The rules may seem confusing at first, but once you understand the logic behind them, everything becomes easier.

The key takeaway is this: the Player’s rule is simple, while the Banker’s rule depends on more conditions, including the Player’s third card. A third-card cheat sheet or a browser extension can make learning and play much smoother.

Whether you’re just learning the game or want to double-check your decisions while playing online, using one of the cheat sheet extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Opera is a smart move. These tools can help you stay focused, avoid mistakes, and enjoy the game more. Take your time, play smart, and let the cheat sheets memorize for you.

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