The object of the game of Baccarat is to get a hand as close to 9 points as possible. While there are several variations of the game (often in countries outside North America it goes by a different name, and the rules differ as well), the basic goal alwasys remains the same: to get a hand with as close to 9 points as possible.
The form of Baccarat that is played in most North American casinos is often referred to as Nevada Baccarat (the game, once brought over from Europe via South America, originated in its American form in the state of Nevada). In European casinos – primarily French ones – you’ll find a variation called Chemin de fer. In this form of Baccarat, the casino does not play the role of banker. Rather, the players play the role of banker. There is not an option simply to bet on Player or Bank, you have to actually be Player or Bank. These terms, by the way, are also referred to as Punto or Banco.
You may be wondering where the name Chemin de fer comes from, and how it has anything to do with Baccarat. Well, it actually makes a lot of sense. Chemin de fer means “railroad” in French, and since the action around the table resembles that of a train, as the role of “Bank” rotates among the players, it is an apt description. Players have the option of declining the role of “Bank,” and when they do the option moves on to the next player to the right, and so on and so on. In effect, the shoe moves counterclockwise around the table, resembling the movement of a train. Another way of choosing the banker in Chemin de fer, or declaring who the banker will be, is by appointing the player with the most money to take on the role.
In Chemin de fer, the casino itself plays a fairly limited role and is not involved in the betting. It does provide a dealer to oversee the game (to insure that it is running properly and according to the rules) and it does supply the basic gaming equipment such as table, chairs, shoe (“sabot”), and cards. In return for these services, the casino takes a commission (usually 5%), on winning bank hands. This differs from American Baccarat, where the casino – against whom the player is playing – does not only provide certain basic equipment, but also provides the entire financial backing for the game.
Another difference between the two forms of the game revolves around the issue of drawing rules regarding the third card. In Chemin de fer, the player can choose whether to draw or to stand on five; in American Baccarat, the player has to draw if his total is 5 or less. Another indication of the increased flexibility in Chemin de fer is the fact that the play of the banker is optional.
Another variation on the game is what is called European Baccarat. In this form of the game, the player can choose to either stand or draw on 5, and the banker has the option to draw a third card (in these ways, European Baccarat differs from American Baccarat). In European Baccarat, the casino is responsible for financing the Banker’s hand. This means that if the Banker funds $1,500, and one player bets $1,000 and the next bets $500, no more players can bet. When a player calls out “Banco,” it means that he is prepared to cover the Banker’s bet, and again – no other players from that point onward can bet during that round. As with other forms of Baccarat, players who bet with the bank will be charged 4 or 5 percent of their winnings.
Baccarat en Banque is a variation you can find in some European casinos. In this form of the game, the house plays the role of Banker. As such, the bets can be quite high – as compared to what they are when a player is playing the role of Banker. Another interesting variation on a theme is that only one player is required to play Baccarat en Banque, while in Chemin de fer the minimum number of players is two.
The rules governing play in Baccarat en Banque include 1) one bank hand and two player hands are dealt, 2) players can bet on player hands but not on dealer’s hand and 3) drawing is optional, and is somewhat dependent on whether the dealer follows – or alters – American Baccarat rules. A few other details to be aware of: 1) the commissions charged by some casinos may be less than 5%, 2) payouts on the Tie bet are variable (e.g., could be paid out at 9:1 in some casinos), and 3) you’ll find that placing wagers in American casinos is done with real money while in European casinos, chips are generally the “currency” used.
