History
Baccarat is one of the oldest casino games still played, with a history spanning more than 500 years. Gambler Felix Falguiere is credited with creating it in Italy during the 1400s. Its name comes from “baccara,” the Italian word for “zero,” a reference to the value given to tens and face cards. The French spelling became common later.
After arriving in 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 was less widely played than slots or roulette, and casinos responded by setting high minimum bets. This exclusivity helped increase its profile. Today, the game is available at many land-based venues and online casinos.
Rules
Baccarat has three possible betting outcomes: Banker, Player or Tie. Under the game's drawing rules, the hand with a value closest to 9 points wins.
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 count at face value
Once bets are placed, the dealer gives each hand two cards. Add their values to get the hand total. For example, a 2 and a 5 make 7 points.
If the total exceeds 10, only the final digit counts as the hand value. 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 frequently selected and is described as having the best chance of winning. A Player win 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 vary.
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 feature several baccarat versions. They share the same basic concept, but table layouts and dealing procedures differ. Check the specific rules before betting real money.
- Mini Baccarat – This smaller table seats seven players rather than the usual eight and uses one croupier instead of three. The croupier acts as banker and dealer. Its lower betting limits are a major reason for its popularity.
- Chemin de Fer – This French version uses six decks, and only the croupier shuffles. Players take turns acting as banker, and cards are dealt face down rather than face up.
- Puncto Bunco – This Cuban version allows up to 14 players, and the banker is called the Bunco. The croupier shuffles and deals; players do not decide whether to draw a third card.
Winning
Simple rules do not make it easy to sustain a winning streak. Like most casino games, baccarat outcomes depend on chance. Some approaches may help guide decisions, but none can guarantee a positive result.
- Avoid the “Tie” bet. The original advice describes a Tie as unlikely and recommends choosing Banker instead.
- Consider the pace of mini-baccarat. This version moves quickly. The source advises newcomers and players with limited budgets to avoid it, noting that it can involve more than twice as many decisions per hour as standard baccarat, potentially increasing losses.
- Set a spending limit. Decide in advance how much you can afford to lose at the table, and stop once you reach that amount. Keep to the limit even during a winning session.
High demand for baccarat tables at land-based casinos has sometimes led to higher minimum bets. Online tables may provide another way to play, but availability and terms vary. Learn the rules and set a firm budget before you start.
