Baccarat Control

Baccarat Games and Variants

As Baccarat has traversed the globe through the years, it has undergone several modifications, some more dramatic than others. Often these transformations were brought about by the need to adjust the game for the gambling style in a particular region.

For those unfamiliar with the game, the major Baccarat variants include the following.

In North America, the most popular version is called Punto Banco, or regular Baccarat. Here, players are given the choice to wager between the Punto (player) and Banco (banker). The hand that has the number 9, or the one closest to it, wins. Face cards have zero value and the Ace counts for a one. All the other cards retain their face value.

In Punto Banco, players may draw one more card, usually when the total is 5 or below. At 6 or 7 the player must stand. These are the basic rules of the game, and unless otherwise stated, they are also followed by the other Baccarat variants.

Next to Punto Banco, Mini Baccarat is the most widely played variant in the United States. Its rules are practically identical to regular Baccarat, except the wage limitations are lower. The game is particularly popular among players with smaller or average bankrolls.

Another Baccarat variant gaining popularity online is Super Pan Nine. The major rule modification here is that cards 7, 8, 9 and 10 are given zero points, or removed from the deck along with the face cards. The players are also dealt three face dwon cards instead of the usual two, but the objective of the game is still to get to number 9. Players are allowed to draw another card based on the regular Baccarat rules.

In some casinos, Private Baccarat is given as an option. The standard rules apply except the player has the right to play two hands. For the player to win, both hands must defeat the dealer's. If only one hand wins, it is considered a standoff (a tie) and the bet remains.

In Europe, two of the most popular Baccarat variants are Chemin-de-Fer and Baccarat en Banque. Chemin-de-Fer, often called "Chemmy" in the United Kingdom, plays much like Punto Banco, with the notable exception that the banker -usually one of the players- must turn over the shuffling of the cards once he loses a hand.

While popular throughout Europe, it is widely believed that this Baccarat variant originated in France. Indeed, Chemin-de-Fer is a French word for railroad. The name was probably chosen because the way the decks of cards are passed around the table resembles a train, or railroad.

In Baccarat en Banque, the Player (the punto) is given two hands, while the Banker has one. Unlike most European Baccarat variants, the position of the Banker is permanently held by the croupier.

Most Baccarat games in Europe have the casino simply taking a commission and lets the players handle the cards. In the United States, the casino takes a 5% cut from a Banker win.

The rise of the Internet has given people from all over the world the opportunity to try the different Baccarat variants. This can only mean that the popularity of this elegant game will increase even more.