Punto Banco is a game of casino banking in which a single player (the punto) plays against a banker (the banco). The goal of the player is to get closer to a total of 9 points. By placing a bet, the game starts. The total of the first two cards dealt to the player is added up. The cards are counted at face value - 2 is worth 2 points, 4 is worth 4 points, a jack is worth 10 points, and an ace is worth 1 point.
The player has several options depending on the total of the first cards. If the total is 8 or 9 points, it's called a "natural" and the game is finished. If the total of the two cards is 6 or 7 points, the player can choose to stay on that number or request another card. For any score lower than six, the player will receive another card automatically, and will continue to receive cards until they reach at least a total of six or higher.
The banker follows a slightly more complicated strategy. If the banker's total is 5 points or lower, the banker must draw an additional card. The banker will draw if their total is 3 points or lower, and if the player's third card is anything from 8 to ace. If the banker's total is 6 points or more, the banker will not draw any more cards.
The winning hand will be the one with a total closest to nine. If the player and the banker both have hands with the same total, the game is considered a tie or "push".