History
Baccarat is one of the oldest casino games still played, with a history going back more than 500 years. Gambler Felix Falguiere is credited with creating it in Italy in the 1400s. Its name comes from “baccara,” the Italian word for “zero,” reflecting the value given to tens and face cards. The French spelling became common later.
After reaching France, the game was called ‘Chemin de Fer’ or “Chemmy.” It became popular among noblemen, including King Charles VIII, and was especially favoured by French aristocrats. Baccarat later spread to the Caribbean and South America, where it was known as Punto Banco.
Baccarat remained less common than slots or roulette, and casinos responded with high minimum wagers. This exclusivity helped increase its profile. Today, you can find the game at many land-based venues and online casinos.
Rules
Baccarat has three possible betting outcomes: Banker, Player or Tie. The hand closest to 9 points wins, according to the game's drawing rules.
Card values are as follows:
- An Ace is worth 1 point
- 10, Jack, Queen and King are each worth 0 points
- 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are worth their face value
Once bets are placed, the dealer gives each hand two cards. Add the card values to calculate the hand's total. For example, a 2 and a 5 make 7 points.
If the total is above 10, only the last digit counts. For example, 5 and 8 add up to 13, so the hand is worth 3 points after dropping the first digit.
A third card may be dealt, depending on the totals. An initial two-card hand worth 8 or 9 points is called a “natural”; under the rules described, it wins automatically.
Payouts
The Banker bet is the most commonly chosen and is described as having the best chance of winning. A Player bet pays 1:1. Banker wins usually carry a 5% house commission, known as the vigorish. Tie bets commonly pay 8:1, though casino rules may differ.
The vigorish offsets the Banker bet's advantage, leaving the house with an edge rather than giving players a greater than 50% chance of winning.
Variations
Online casinos may offer several baccarat versions. They share the same basic idea, but table layouts and dealing procedures vary, so check the specific rules before wagering real money.
- Mini Baccarat – This smaller table seats seven players rather than the usual eight, and has one croupier instead of the usual three. The croupier acts as banker and dealer. Its lower bet limits are a key reason for its popularity.
- Chemin de Fer – This French version uses six decks, and the croupier is the only person who shuffles. Players take turns as banker, and cards are dealt face down rather than face up.
- Puncto Bunco – This Cuban version allows up to 14 players, and calls its banker the Bunco. The croupier shuffles and deals; players do not decide whether a third card is drawn.
Winning
Simple rules do not make a winning streak easy to maintain. Like most casino games, baccarat outcomes depend on chance. Some approaches can guide decisions, but none can ensure a positive result.
- Avoid the “Tie” bet. Since a Tie is described as unlikely, the original advice favours betting on Banker instead.
- Consider the pace of mini-baccarat. This version moves quickly. The advice is for newcomers and people with limited gambling budgets to avoid it, noting that more than double the decisions per hour can occur compared with standard baccarat, potentially increasing losses.
- Set a spending limit. Decide in advance how much you can afford to lose at the table, and stop if you reach that amount. Keep to the limit even during a winning session.
Strong demand for baccarat tables at land-based casinos has sometimes resulted in higher minimum bets. Online tables may provide another way to join a game, but availability and terms vary. Learn the rules and set a firm budget before playing.
