Baccarat Game Variations

Baccarat is a game steeped in rich history, over the years the game has diversified and a few game variations have emerged. While many of these are not always easily available, you will find most of these at your favourite online casino.

Punto Banco

Punto Banco is one of the most popular Baccarat variations, occasionally termed American Baccarat this is the most prolific form of the game. Punto Banco can be played at both standard and mini baccarat tables, although a distinct difference between the two versions exists in that the dealer deals all cards according to a specific set of rules and in Mini table outcomes the player only has the option to bet on one of three outcomes.

The standard table on the other hand accommodates up to 14 players and while the dealer is responsible for shuffling the cards, players deal in turn in a clockwise direction. If it's your turn to deal you must listen to the dealer's instructions and pass on the shoe if you place a losing wager.

Mini Baccarat

Mini Baccarat is one of the most prevalent forms of the game in both land based and online casinos. The essence of the game is similar to that of the traditional game of baccarat but it offers lower limits to allow for wider accessibility. The table may be smaller than the one in the standard game and only the dealer handles the shoe, shuffles and deals the cards. As mentioned above, the player can bet on three outcomes only.

Chemin-de-fer

Chemin-de-fer is the French version of Baccarat which originated in Italy. The direct translation of the name equates to "Railroad" which is apt given that this game requires that the show is passed from one player to the next once the first player has lost his hand, making the shoe like a train moving around the railroad of the table.

Baccarat en Banque

This is yet another French version of Baccarat wherein the player is dealt two hands while the dealer receives only one. The player is not allowed to bet on the dealers hand in this game and the shoe does not rotate around the table but remains with the dealer for the entire game.

Super Pan Nine

Super Pan Nine is a streamlined variation of the traditional version of Baccarat. The decks are reduced in size by removing the 7,8,9 and 10 value cards. In order to compensate for the low numbers available in the deck, the dealer deals three cards instead of the usual two and the player has the option of drawing a fourth card if a hand value of 3 or 4 is held.

Private Baccarat

Private Baccarat is a unique variation of the standard game wherein the banker may elect whether to deal one or two hands to the player. If he selects two hands, the player may choose to play both or select a single hand to play. If the player selects to play a single hand, then the traditional game of Baccarat is played but if he plays both, then he/she must win both of them in order to beat the dealer. Winning one and losing the other will result in a tie.

No matter which variation of the game of Baccarat you choose to play, you will find that once you have learnt the basic rules and game play of the game and are familiar with all of the Baccarat specific terminology, you will be able to play most other versions as they are generally quite similar.