Baccarat is a popular gambling card game, primarily played with high stakes. The chances of winning are not negligible and provide players with a relatively good return on investment.
Baccarat
Baccarat can be played in both brick-and-mortar and online casinos (source: draftkings.com)
This game is appreciated by true gambling enthusiasts who enjoy the adrenaline rush of the game. Many enthusiasts are particularly drawn to the splendor, the cleverly designed betting system, and the rituals associated with the game. Usually, the game takes place in a separate room, offering players a very intimate and safe environment. This allows them to fully concentrate on the game, in which they must beat the opponent. By drawing cards gradually, they must get their total as close to 9 as possible.
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History of Baccarat
The origin of this card game dates back to the end of the 15th century. According to preserved records, during the reign of Charles VIII, it gradually spread from Italy to France and the surrounding states of Europe. It came to America only in later years and in a modified form. Baccarat first began to be played in the state of Nevada, from where it spread across America. Today, the game can be found in three forms called “Punto Banco”, “Baccarat Chemin de Fer”, and “Baccarat Banque”, which differ in the way the bank is managed and the rule for drawing the 3rd card.
Rules of Baccarat
All three versions of Baccarat have a basic immutable rule that governs the start of the game. Two sides play against each other as “player” and “banker”. There can only be one banker in the game, while there can be several players, but they are represented by one representative. At the beginning of the game, each side receives two cards. The difference then occurs in the next step, where the players have the option to draw a third card or stand. While in some cases they can choose freely, in others they must follow strictly defined steps. This opens up the possibility of influencing the game based on acquired experience or by estimating and knowing the opponent.
Baccarat game process
Each round of the game starts with the dealing of two cards to both the player and the banker face down. After this step, however, the further procedure diverges in individual versions. The easiest variant is Punto Banco, as the game does not require any experience or knowledge of advantageous strategies. Players are instead dependent on chance, which decides their luck or misfortune. This is different in the versions Baccarat Charmin de Fer and Baccarat Banque, where the sides can decide within the rules whether to draw a third card to get as close as possible to 9. Even in this game, it can happen that the value of the first two cards of the player or banker immediately after being dealt creates a total of 8 or 9 points. At that moment, the game ends and is immediately evaluated. The player cannot accept another card even if the total of their cards is more than 6 points. If the first two cards of the player add up to a total of up to 5 points, they draw a third card. If they have 6 or 7 points, they stand and do not take another card. When the player stands, the banker draws another card again only if the total of their cards is up to 5 points; however, if the player took a third card, their actions depend on the opponent’s drawn card and the total value of their own cards.
How to count card values in Baccarat
In Baccarat, all cards with the number 10 and all picture cards are counted as 0 points. The remaining cards with displayed numbers have the value shown on them. An exception is the Ace, which represents just 1 point. Unlike Blackjack, this game is different in that it is not possible to bust. If the result of the sum of two cards is a two-digit number, only the unit digit is counted, i.e., the second in order. Specifically, this can be the case when a player receives cards with values of 6 and 7 points, whose sum is 13. For further game progress, the value 3 is counted. The lowest value a player can achieve is a combination of an Ace and a 9, where the sum is 0. From this, the name of the game baccara is derived, which in Italian means zero. On the other hand, the highest total of 9 points can be achieved in several ways. If two cards together give a total of 8 or 9 points, such a total is called Natural. In France, it is further distinguished as La Grande (big in the case of nine) and La Petit (small in the case of eight). When a player reaches a natural total, the game ends definitively.
Punto Banco
This version has strictly defined rules that both players must follow. It is commonly played with six or eight decks of cards, which are placed in a special device called a card shoe. This shoe is gradually passed from the player to the banker, who draw cards from it. The player with the card shoe is called the banker, although they do not actually hold that function. The participant with the highest bet has the honor of revealing the cards, after which the croupier announces whether and when the players can draw another card or directly declares the game result. The game continues or stands according to the sum of the first two cards. The third card is drawn face-up so that it is visible to everyone present. If one of them reaches a total of 8 or 9, the game ends. If neither succeeds in reaching this total, the game continues, and at the end, the one with the highest total wins. The player draws a third card if the total of their first two cards is between 0 and 5. With a higher point value, they stand. If the player stands, then the banker also proceeds only if their cards make up a total of up to 5 points. On the contrary, if the player drew, then the banker follows these rules:
- If the player received a card with a value of 2 or 3, the banker draws a card if their cards total 0-4 points.
- If the player receives a card with a value of 4 or 5, the banker draws a card if their cards total 0-5 points.
- If the player draws a card with a value of 6 or 7, the banker draws more cards only if the total of the first two cards is 0-6 points.
- If the player draws a card with the number 8, the banker draws a third card if their first two cards total 0-2 points.
- If the player draws a card with values of 9, 10, or Ace, the banker draws a third card if their total is 0-3 points.
Chemin de Fer
The literal name of this game means “railway”. Usually, six decks of cards are used for the game. Up to 12 players can often fit around a large oval table. On its surface, two squares are marked for bets on the player or banker. In the designated area in the middle of the table, used cards and shares from the game that belong to the operator of the game are discarded. The first banker becomes the player to the right of the croupier. The players then take turns in this role.
Bank management
At the beginning of the game, the banker places the amount they are willing to play for in front of them. Each player then has the option to play alone against the entire bank by matching their bet and calling “Banco!” The so-called Vabank can only be played by a single player, and if more than one player applies, the player sitting to the right of the banker and calling “Banco prime!” has priority. If no one shows interest in playing Vabank, the participants bet gradually in the given order. If the amount of all bets does not cover the banker’s bet, spectators can match it. If it exceeds, the excess bets are removed in the reverse game order.
Game Process
The croupier first deals two cards to the banker and two cards to the player. The player is represented by the participant who placed the highest bet on the player. The banker reveals their cards first, followed by the player, and the croupier announces the further course of the game. If the player or the banker achieves a natural total of 8 or 9 points, the game ends and winning bets are immediately paid out. Otherwise, the following rules apply:
- Player’s Rule:
| Total | Player |
| 0 – 4 | draws 3rd card |
| 5 | draws 3rd card or stands |
| 6 or 7 | stands |
| 8 or 9 | wins from hand |
- Banker’s Rule:
The banker draws or stands if the player stands and the value of the banker’s two cards ranges from 0 to 5 points. If the player draws the 3rd card, the banker proceeds according to these rules:
| Total | Draws if possible | Stands if possible | Choice |
| 0 – 2 | always draws 3rd card | ||
| 3 | 1 – 7 or 10 | 8 | 9 |
| 4 | 2 – 7 | 1, 8, 9, or 10 | |
| 5 | 5 – 7 | 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 or 10 | 4 |
| 6 | 6 or 7 | 1 – 5, 8, 9 or 10 | |
| 7 | always stands | ||
| 8 or 9 | wins from hand |
Strategizing occurs when the sum of two cards forms a value of 5 points. The player who always draws is referred to by the French term Tireur, and the one who always stands is referred to as Douteur. However, it is not advisable to stick to chosen strategies for too long because once the opponent discovers it, they gain an advantage, which also affects the way of betting.
Baccarat Banque
Opposite the banker sits the croupier, and players are divided into the right and left sides of the table. Spectators can only join the game if the players’ bets do not fully cover the banker’s bet. The cards are thoroughly shuffled by the croupier and the players, and then divided into three piles for the right table, left table, and the banker. Each player places their bet in turn, and then the banker deals the first three cards clockwise and in the second round another three cards. The cards for the players on the left are shared among all the players on that side of the table, as well as for the players on the right. The banker decides for themselves which side of the table they will play with. In the next steps, the game for the players proceeds according to the same rules as in the case of Chemin de Fer. The representative of the player on that side holds their position as long as they win. If they lose, their place is taken by another representative. In this version, a player can also play Vabank on one side or both sides of the table for half the bank, with the first right of refusal in the first round going to the player sitting to the right of the banker, then the first player on the left, then the second player on the right, and so on. When the player playing Vabank loses, they can play again to recover their money. If they lose a second time, they have one last chance. The banker’s play is not subject to any rules on when to stand or draw. If one table reaches a win from hand, then the same rules as in the Chemin de Fer version apply. In this case, strategizing also occurs when the card total gives a value of 5 points. Players can also bet on the opposite table, thus masking their strategy. If the banker reaches a total of 8 or 9 from three cards, while the player wins from hand, the player becomes the overall winner of the game.
Baccarat Bets
Participants in the game can only place three types of bets. A bet on the player “Punto”, the banker “Banco”, or a tie. When betting on the player, participants are betting that their card total will be higher than the banker’s card total or vice versa. Each one either multiplies or loses their own bet amount. Unlike other games, Baccarat starts at higher amounts. The minimum bet is often around €20 (500 CZK), due to the operator receiving a 5% commission from the win. Winning bets are paid out at a ratio of 1:1.
Where to Play Baccarat
Since it is a very popular card game full of excitement and high stakes, it can be played in almost any gaming room or casino. Those interested in enjoying the game without risk can also try the free version of online Baccarat on various internet portals without fear of losing their money in case of a loss. However, online casinos also offer enthusiasts the chance to play for real money and enjoy the thrill of gambling anytime and anywhere.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1️⃣ What is the game of Baccarat?
Two sides compete against each other as player and banker, and their goal is to get as close as possible to 9 points with the sum of 2-3 cards.2️⃣ How is Baccarat played?
Currently, there are three versions of this game, which differ in the conditions for deciding whether to draw a third card or stand.
3️⃣ Where can Baccarat be played?
You can enjoy this popular card game in gaming rooms and casinos or online on the internet, where you can choose between playing for money or for fun. However, if you want to play for money, you must be over 18 years old.
Kristyna Baranova
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