Pan N9ne

Introduction

Pan N9ne can be thought of as a more straightforward iteration of baccarat. This game is straightforward, quick-paced, and easy to pick up. I first came across it when it was introduced at the Palace Station in Las Vegas in June 2022.

Rules

1. The game can utilize any number of standard 52-card decks; for this discussion, I will assume the use of either six or eight decks.
2. The point values assigned to the cards mirror those used in baccarat, outlined as follows:
   • Ace = 1 point.
   • 2-9 = Pip value.
   • 10s and faces = 0 points.
3. To determine the score of a hand containing multiple cards, sum the point values of all the cards. If the resulting total is 10 or greater, discard the tens digit. For instance, if a player has a hand of 5-6-7, the total amounts to 18, leading to a score of 8 points after eliminating the tens.
4. The game initiates when the player places an Ante wager. At this point, the player also has the option to place additional Tie and Dragon side bets.
5. The dealer is then responsible for dealing two cards each to the player and themselves, with the player’s cards facing upward and the dealer’s cards facing downward.
6. Players have the choice to either draw a third card or opt to stand.
7. The dealer shall expose his cards.
8. Should the dealer's initial score with two cards be 5 or lower, they will draw an additional card.
9. The outcome is determined by which side accrues a higher point total.
10. If the player has more points, the Ante bet is successful and pays out at even money. However, if the player wins with a total of six points using three cards, the Ante bet will push.
11. Conversely, if the dealer holds a higher score, the Ante bet is lost.
12. In the event of a tie between the player and dealer, the Ante bet also results in a push.
13. The Tie bet is successful when the player and dealer have equal scores; otherwise, it results in a loss.
14. For the Dragon bonus to pay out, the player must win by at least a 5-point margin, with the payout size determined by that margin based on the table provided.

Baccarat enthusiasts should note that there is no special rule for achieving a 'natural' score of 8 or 9 points, as both participants can still draw a third card.

Strategy

To reduce the house advantage on the Ante bet, players should adopt the dealer's approach: hitting with 5 points or fewer and standing with 6 or more.

Holding a total of five presents a difficult decision, but statistically, it's slightly beneficial to hit again. Standing on five increases the house edge by 0.02%.

Ante Analysis

The table below outlines the likelihood and expected return percentage for the Ante bet when using six decks of cards; the last cell on the right indicates a house edge of 2.05%.

The subsequent table details the probability and expected return for the Ante bet when eight decks are used; the far-right cell shows a house edge of 2.05%. Notably, if the player consistently opts to stand on five, the edge would rise to 2.07%.

Tie Analysis

Data for the Tie bet using six decks is in the table below, which shows a house edge of 10.59% in the bottom right.

Similarly, the table below reflects the Tie bet's probabilities and return percentages with eight decks involved, revealing a house edge of 10.51%.

Dragon Analysis

The Dragon bet probabilities and expected returns with six decks are also outlined in the table below, where the last cell indicates a house edge of 5.59%.

Another table presents the Dragon bet probabilities and returns concerning eight decks, with a final cell showing a house edge of 5.57%.

Written by: Michael Shackleford