In Baccarat does the "banker" play optimally?

The Game Room
1

In Baccarat, the “player” and the “banker” are dealt 2 cards each. 10s and picture cards count as 0, only the last digit of the total counts, (66 and AA are both an identical 2). if either side has 8 or 9 in 2 cards it’s game over. If the player has 0-5 he takes another card, if he has 6-7 he stands.

If the player stood, the banker follows the player’s rules and stands on 6 or 7, hits on 0-5

If the player takes another card the banker takes one depending on the players 3rd card



players 3rd card      banker stands with
8                                     3
9, 0, 1                             4
2, 3                                 5
4, 5                                  6
6, 7                                  7

Highest total wins

Assuming that you were the “banker”, all you are told is whether the player took a 3rd card ad if so what its value was, is this the best possible strategy?

2

I think that there are two situations where the banker’s chances are the same with drawing or standing - other than that, the strategy is optimal.

3

You have no choice; Player and Banker must play by those rules.

When including the commission on Bank wins it makes for a very well balanced game.

Some casinos occasionally play with a commission of less than the standard 5% but it usually doesn’t last very long. Years ago the Sahara in Las Vegas ran a promotion with “No commission” baccarat (maximum bet, I think, was $25 but it may have been $100); the tables filled up with people betting only on Bank and betting the max eligible for the promotion. The promo ended pretty quickly.

4

The question wasn’t one of whether either should “choose” to play differently. The question was, is the Banker’s mandated strategy optimal, that is, does it maximize the expected result?