Baccarat Variants: A Comparison of Similarities, Differences

Baccarat gambling is said to begin in Italy. The term means zero. Over time, baccarat as spread to other parts of Europe, South America, North America, and many more places. Baccarat variants have also sprung up and are now played in different regions of the world. Some of the most popularly played baccarat variants include punto banco, chemin de fer, mini baccarat, and baccarat banque.

The differences in baccarat variants can be found in the following:

1. Dealing of cards and dealer role

For instance, in Punto Banco, dealer role rotates from player to player while in baccarat banque, banker role is more permament.

2. Drawing of third card

In Punto Banco, the fixed and predetermined third card rules are strictly followed. In chemin de fer and baccarat banque, third card rules are more flexible.

3. Size and layout of baccarat table

A Punto Banco baccarat table has 14 seats. Mini baccarat has 7 seats. Baccarat banque has 10 seats.

4. Minimum number of players to start a game

In chemin de fer, there must be at least two players before a game can start while in baccarat banque, one player is enough to start a game.

5. Maximum bet limits

Among the different baccarat variants, only mini baccarat is not a high roller game. Other baccarat variants ( punto banco, baccarat banque, American baccarat, etc) are played on a table with bets rolling up to thousands of dollars. As such, you will often find these tables at a special corner of the casino, cordoned off or separated by purple curtains. Here, minimum bet limits usually start at $25.

In baccarat variants found in North America (Punto Banco and mini baccarat), the min/max bet limits are usually specified. Whereas, in baccarat variants found in Europe (baccarat banque and chemin de fer), the maximum bet limit is typically capped by the banker. For instance, if the banker has made a $1000 bet, the total bet on Player hand (by the players) should also total $1000. Two players may bet $500 each, or one player may "go bank." To "go bank" means the player would bet the same amount as the banker's.

Despite these differences, there are commonalities shared by all baccarat variants. Their similarities include:

1. Card point value system. Aces have 1 point. 2 through 9 have face value. 10, J,Q, K have 0 value.

2. Hand value system. To determine the values of a hand, the point values of the cards are added together. If the total value reaches double digits, the left digit is dropped. Only the right hand digit is read.

3. The highest hand value is 9. 8, like 9, however, is considered a natural .

Though baccarat was born in Italy, it had spread into the different parts of the world and had spawned into different game versions. In sum, there are differences between these variants with regards mainly to dealer role and third card drawing roles. Still, there are standard rules that all the baccarat variants follow. Whether you're planning to play online or in a land-based casino, it would be best to thoroughly acquaint yourself with the rules of each variant. Playing them as free games in online baccarat casinos would help reach that goal.