Guide
The three bets, worked out
Banker, Player and Tie are the only decisions in Punto Banco. Here is how often each one lands in an eight-deck shoe and what the house keeps from each, counted from every possible deal.
How a hand is settled
Two cards go to Player and two to Banker. Tens and picture cards count nothing, aces count one, and only the last digit of a total matters — a seven and an eight make five. A total of eight or nine on two cards is a natural and ends the hand. Otherwise a third card may be drawn under fixed rules (see the table). The higher total wins; equal totals are a Tie.
How often each side lands
Banker lands slightly more often because it acts second and its drawing rules respond to Player's third card. That is why casinos take a banker commission — traditionally 5% of a Banker win — or change the payout on some Banker wins.
What each bet costs
House edge per unit staked, eight-deck shoe, ties returning Player and Banker stakes. Worked out by Quiet Salon from every possible deal; casinos may use other deck counts or pay tables.
A house edge of 1.06% on Banker means that, over a very long run, about £1.06 of every £100 staked on Banker stays with the casino. It says nothing about the next hand. The Tie bet pays more because it lands less than one hand in ten, and at 8:1 the casino keeps about £14.36 of every £100 staked on it.
Our figures assume eight decks and the standard Punto Banco rules; a casino's own game may use a different number of decks, another pay table or extra rules. Its game rules decide.
At the casinos
What they say about Tie and banker commission
| Casino | Tie payout | Banker commission |
|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | 8:1 | 5% on Banker wins |
| PlayOJO | 8:1 | 5% on Banker wins |
| Jackpotjoy | 8:1 | 5% on Banker wins |
| LeoVegas | 8:1 | 5% on Banker wins |
| MrQ | 5:1 | Banker pays 0.95:1 |
| Unibet | 8:1 | 6 pays 1:2 (no-commission) |
| Virgin Games | 8:1 | 5% on Banker wins |
| 32Red | not published | not published |
| Sky Vegas | not published | not published |
| Genting Casino | not published | not published |
| Hippodrome Online Casino | not published | not published |
More guides
When a third card is drawn
The fixed drawing rules of Punto Banco in one table, so a hand can be followed card by card.
Tables without banker commission
How the no-commission rule changes a Banker win on six, and which casinos name such tables.
Side bets, priced
Pairs and other extras the casinos list, with their stated payouts and the maths behind a pair.