Popular Baccarat Variations
| Updated: Baccarat Variations and Their Specific Rules and Bet Options
Baccarat is a casino game that was once popular mainly among high rollers, with land-based casinos often placing baccarat tables in secluded areas reserved for VIPs. Nowadays, anyone can play baccarat, as tables usually offer a wide range of betting limits to suit every budget. The integration of baccarat into virtual casinos has further increased the game’s accessibility, allowing online players to choose from a vast selection of baccarat titles.
Even though the objective of every baccarat variation is the same, certain versions feature rule alterations that can affect the outcome of the game. As you may encounter different baccarat rules, we suggest always doing your research and checking the payouts and rules of any baccarat version before you start playing. To make things easier, we have covered some of the most popular baccarat variations you may come across, providing detailed explanations of their rules and other specifications.
Basic Baccarat Rules
Several misconceptions about the game have made many players reluctant to try baccarat. In the past, many believed the game was reserved for wealthy players because casino floors often dedicated special areas exclusively to baccarat tables. Some casino lovers also refrained from playing because they thought its rules were too sophisticated or the minimum bet was too high.
In fact, the opposite is true. Anyone can play baccarat because players are not required to make difficult decisions, memorize complex moves, or follow intricate rules. Baccarat’s objective is straightforward: players simply need to get as close to a total of nine as possible. What is even better is that your card total can never exceed nine, so you cannot bust. If the total of your hand is higher than 9, you simply drop the first digit; the remaining number is your score. For example, if you are dealt a 5 and an 8, the total is 13, so your score is 3.
In most cases, eight standard decks are used for baccarat. Remember that it does not matter how many players join the table; the dealer always draws only two hands. The game begins when the hands are dealt. In most casinos two cards are dealt per hand, although in some cases a third card may be drawn. That is why you should acquaint yourself with the rules of the specific baccarat game before joining the table.
It is also worth noting that gamblers are required to pay a commission that stands at 5% or less when they have placed a winning bet on the Bank. If the value of the cards dealt to the player and the banker is equal, the outcome is a tie.
Players should bear in mind that the hand automatically draws when its total is 5 or less, and stands when the total is 6 or 7. Gambling aficionados who have placed a winning bet on the player or the bank will enjoy an even-money payout. Betting on a tie is different because, in most cases, such wagers pay 8 to 1, although in some casinos the payout is 9 to 1.
Baccarat Card Values
One of the preconditions of playing baccarat is understanding how cards are valued, but there is nothing sophisticated about this. Cards count at face value, with the exception of the 10, Jack, Queen, and King, which are worth zero. In baccarat, the value of the ace is always 1. Cards from 2 to 9 are worth their pip value, meaning twos count as 2, threes as 3, and so on. The suit of the cards is irrelevant.
As already mentioned, once all bets are placed, the value of each hand is determined by the right-most digit of the sum of its cards. The hand with the higher total wins.
Baccarat Odds
For beginners, the term ‘house edge’ describes the advantage the casino has over you while you play a specific game—in this case, baccarat. As we already mentioned, many gambling aficionados choose baccarat because its house edge is considerably lower than that of many other casino games. An important detail is that baccarat offers only three main betting options.
When you bet on the Player, the house edge is 1.36%. If you bet on the Bank, the house edge drops to 1.06%. Many seasoned players agree that wagering on a Tie is one of the worst possible moves because the house edge soars to 14.4%. Still, some players take the risk because the payout is far more lucrative.
The term ‘odds’, on the other hand, expresses your chances of winning or losing while playing baccarat. The odds of the Player hand winning are 44.61%, while its chances of losing are 45.85%. The Banker hand wins 45.83% of the time. The game ends in a tie 9.54% of the time.
Most Popular Baccarat Variations
As with many other casino games, several baccarat variations have been created over the years to make the classic game more exciting. Some of these variants have become extremely popular because they introduce extra rules or allow additional bets that make them more captivating.
Baccarat Banque
Baccarat Banque is one of the most popular variations of the classic card game and can be found in many casinos. It is one of the oldest baccarat variations and was historically played mainly in France, which is why many players are still unfamiliar with it.
This particular variation is also known as “a deux tableaux”, and one of its distinctive traits is that the dealer is determined at the beginning of every round, which sets it apart from Chemin de Fer. The dealer may be the first player to join the game or the one who has made the highest stake.
Unlike some other popular variations, Baccarat Banque is most commonly played with three standard decks. After all wagers are placed, the dealer shuffles the cards. The banker then deals one card to the player on the right, one card to the player on the left, and finally one card to the bank. Thus, while playing Baccarat Banque, there will be three hands, each consisting of two cards. Players may bet on the hand nearest to them, the hand at the opposite end of the table, or on both. Players cannot wager on the banco hand because that option is reserved for the current banker.
Punto Banco
Punto Banco is one of the most popular baccarat variations and is considered the variant that most closely resembles Classic Baccarat. Punto Banco is played with six standard decks of 52 cards, and the betting options remain the same: gamblers can place their stake on the Banker or the Player. You can also bet on a Tie, which predicts that the value of the player’s and the banker’s hands will be equal. After bets are placed, the cards are dealt and their values calculated. Remember, once your bet is placed you cannot change it, so think carefully before committing.
As we already mentioned, placing your bet on the Bank is the most favorable option you have because the house enjoys the lowest advantage. Once again, betting on a Tie is unwise as the house advantage increases dramatically.
Mini Baccarat
Although Mini Baccarat is played in the same manner as Punto Banco, it has also attracted a large following. This is because it is a lower-stakes version of the game, making it ideal for players who prefer smaller bets or are on a tight budget. As its name suggests, the table used in Mini Baccarat is smaller than the one used for other variants. The game is also played at a faster pace, which many players find appealing.
In Mini Baccarat, eight standard decks are used and the betting options remain unchanged: players can decide whether to place their bet on the Bank, the Player, or a Tie.
Chemin de Fer
Many players consider Chemin de Fer to be the precursor of modern baccarat. Despite following the rules used in Classic Baccarat, the most conspicuous difference is that players do not compete against the dealer but instead contend against each other. Another major difference is that in Chemin de Fer the banker sets aside the amount he or she wants to wager.
This variation is played predominantly in France, and its name means “railway”. In most cases, the game is played with six decks and players can take turns to be bankers. Once the banker is chosen, he or she sets aside the amount they are willing to risk. Each player may then announce “Banco”, which means they are willing to match the banker’s stake. Only one player may do so.
Play begins when the croupier deals the cards, and the player who placed the highest stake represents the rest of the players. When the cards are dealt, both the dealer and the banker check whether their total is 8 or 9. If so, they reveal their cards immediately.
European Baccarat
In European Baccarat, the player may decide whether to draw or stand when his hand totals 5. The banker may also decide whether to draw an additional card.
It is also important to note that the hand of the banker is funded by the casino. For example, if the banker’s funds are $1,000 and one player wagers $700 on the Bank, another player may stake the remaining $300. No further bets are accepted for that round. If a single player covers the banker’s entire bet, no other player may wager during that round.
Dragon Tiger
Dragon Tiger is a simplified version of standard Punto Banco. Instead of receiving two cards each, both sides receive only one card. The game is available at many online casinos, giving fans the chance to enjoy a streamlined experience.
Players bet on whether the Dragon or the Tiger side will have a card with a higher value. After the dealer deals one card to each side, the higher card wins. Unlike the option to draw more cards in standard baccarat, there are no additional cards drawn in the game of Dragon Tiger. If both sides receive cards of the same value, the round is a tie, with half of the players’ wagers going to the house.
In addition to betting on ‘Dragon’ or ‘Tiger’, players can also place their money on the game resulting in a tie. However, this bet gives the house a significantly higher edge of 32.7%, which is why players are advised to avoid making the ‘Tie’ wager. To give fans of baccarat more betting options, Dragon Tiger also offers side bets such as Big and Small, which can be placed on either the Dragon or Tiger side.
A Big bet wins if the card dealt to your chosen side is higher than 7, while a Small bet wins if the card is lower than 7. Both bets lose if the dealt card is a 7. The Small/Big side bet pays even money and gives the house an edge of 13.98%.
Depending on the Dragon Tiger variation, you can also place other side bets such as Suited Tie, Odd/Even, Red/Black, Suit, and others. Although they can be fun, keep in mind that side bets give the casino a bigger advantage. The lowest house edge is for the standard Dragon/Tiger bet, giving the casino an advantage of 3.73%.
Baccarat Money Management
Although many players overlook money management, it is a crucial aspect of playing baccarat and casino games in general. Many gambling enthusiasts either ignore the budget they originally set or forget to set one at all. Players should always know exactly how much they will bet when they win and when they lose; otherwise, they may quickly exhaust their bankroll.
One of the most important skills is learning how to minimise losses so you can stay in the game long enough to ride a winning streak. That is the point you should aim for to get the most out of your play.
One of the things you should take into consideration is that while playing baccarat, players are advised to set win goals and loss limits. Once you have reached any of these figures, you should simply end your betting session for the day. This ensures you will not spend money you cannot afford. Discipline is crucial; without self-control you will not be able to manage your funds successfully.