Punto Banco is a classic casino game of chance that is played between the house and the player. It is one of the most popular games in any casino, and the version available at mobile casinos in Costa Rica is no different. Punto Banco is a fairly straightforward card game that requires no prior knowledge or skills to play. The game begins with the croupier, or dealer, dealing two cards each to both the player and the house. The deal is based on a strict set of rules determined by the house, which dictate that the house must have a greater total than the player in order to win.
The game's goal is simple, to get the higher total. The cards are dealt face down and the values of the cards are as follows: ace is worth one point, cards numbered two through nine are worth their face value, and the ten, jack, queen and king are worth zero points. The player can either hit or stand, meaning they can choose to take an additional card or stand with the ones they already possess. The player's total cannot exceed nine points, and if the player chooses to stand and the house has a total of eight or nine, then the hand is over and the house wins.
If the house has a total of five or less, they must take an additional card. If the house has a total of six or seven, they must stand. The house must draw an additional card if the player's total is lower than six. If the player has a total of six or seven, they must stand. If the player has an eight or nine, they are said to have a "natural." and cannot draw any additional cards. The croupier will announce the total of the house and the player, and the player with the higher total wins the round.