Baccarat Variants

The first thing that springs to mind when you hear "Baccarat" is the version originated in casinos in Nevada in the 1950`s. There are many variations of the game in different countries and while they are different the purpose of the game is the same as well as baccarat tips:

• Chemin de fer
• Europen Baccarat
• Mini Baccarat
• Baccarat en Banque

The game for beginners- Mini Baccarat

Mini Baccarat is only slightly different from the regular game. The table is almost as big as a blackjack table and has only one dealer. As at the standard Baccarat table each position corresponds to a betting box with numbers which delegate the spots for the "player" "the tie" and "the banker". The lower limits which range from 2$ or 5$ minimum up to a 500$ maximum are the main difference between Mini Baccarat and Baccarat. Also without the formality of regular Baccarat, Mini Baccarat is more relaxed and good for beginners.

At Mini Baccarat the dealer does all the action (players don`t touch the cards), he/she is placed advantageously in the middle of the table and the game doesn`t have the shoebox ritual. For sure, baccarat rules are destinguished in every type of game.

The European variations

In Chemin de Fer, the version played in France you can`t bet on the Bank or the Player because you have to be one of them. The croupier is only there to make sure the rules are followed (and for this service the casino gets 5% of Bank's winning hands) because the betting is made among the players.

The Banker can be, in turn, one of the players and he is responsible with his money for all losing bets and also takes the winning hands of the Bank. Besides being played in French, Chemin de Fer also has the possibility that the Player and Banker decide if they call the third card.

One of the most popular European variations is the Baccarat en banque which has very similar rules as Chemin de Fer and uses only three decks of cards. The Bank is the player that will bet highest. Nobody can bet higher than him and it will remain so until it is beaten by another player.

The Bank is dealt only one hand and the Players are dealt two. The Bank is not allowed to continue if the players "go bank" for three times one after the other (the maximum number allowed) and he still loses after that. The Banker and Player will change seats if the Player took the Bank. The purpose of the game is to be as close as possible to 9.