Learn how to play the different variants of baccarat
Baccarat is a simple game with only three possible results: Player, Banker or Tie. “Player” does not refer to the customer and “Banker” does not refer to the house. They are options on which the player can bet.
In Baccarat any score of 10 is worth 0 (or Baccarat). The highest possible score is 9. Picture cards are worth 0. A hand of 8 and 7 does not equal 15 but 5. An ace counts as 1 and the rest of the cards keep their face value.
There are three variants of the game: punto banco, baccarat chemin de fer, and baccarat banque.
Punto Banco Traditionally, it is played at an oval table. Six or eight decks of cards are used, normally shuffled only by the croupier and the dealers. The cards are dealt, first to the Player and then to the Banker. Each has two cards, which are added together, and the croupier calls the total. At this time, the table of play is used to determine if further cards need to be drawn.
If both the Banker and Player have the same hand value at the end of the deal, the croupier announces: “tie bets win”.
Baccarat Chemin de Fer Six decks of cards are used. In the center of the table there is a basket for the reception of used cards. The croupier shuffles the cards and then each player has the right to shuffle them in turn. The croupier places the cards before him and taking some from the top, handles them to the player on his right, who for the time being is “banker” while the other players are punters. Any punter is entitled to say “Banco” which means, to play against the banker’s stake.
The banker deals four cards: two for the punters and two for himself. If the banker’s point is the better, he wins the punter’s stakes. If the punter’s point is the better, the banker pays each punter the amount of his stake. If the banker wins, he is entitled to deal again. If not, the next player in order receives the cards and becomes banker.
Baccarat banque In baccarat banque, the position of banker is more permanent. Three is the usual number of decks used. The banker is the player who risks the larger amount and remains so until all the cards have been dealt (unless he retires or looses). The banker may retire at any time but he is obliged to state the amount with which he retires. Any other player can take his place as banker.
As for the odds ratio in baccarat, winning bets on the player are paid 1:1, winning bets on the banker pay 1:1 less a 5% commission and winning bets on a tie usually pay 8:1.
