Mini Baccarat, an Option for the Average Player
After learning all about the simplicity of baccarat and the really low house edge, your hopes get crushed as soon as you get to learn about its table minimums. The table minimums for a regular baccarat game, the ones that are usually cordoned off in an exclusive corner of a casino, are astounding. Many average players won't be able to afford such minimums.
Fortunately, the average player does have an option letting him enjoy the benefits and conveniences of this game without burning a huge hole in his bankroll. You can say that mini baccarat is a watered down version of the game. Every player is given the chance to enjoy the low house edges of regular baccarat and its simplicity of play without the huge table minimums. Another plus factor for mini baccarat is that you can dress casually when playing, so hang up your tux or gowns.
The rules that apply to the regular baccarat game also apply to the mini baccarat. This means you don't have to learn any new rules on game play. Players will still be choosing between the tie bet, banker bet, and the player bet in mini baccarat. The odds in this baccarat variant are pretty much the same and the same thing for house edges.
You might even mistake a mini baccarat table for a blackjack table since both would appear to be somewhat alike. Mini baccarat will also have a semi-circle table and green colored felt, but the table layout will definitely be different. You will also have a player's side and the dealer's side of the table, just like in blackjack.
The dealer's side (i.e. where the croupier is positioned) will contain stacks of chips right next to that going over to the player's side of the mini baccarat table is a row of boxes numbered from one to seven. These boxes are called the commission boxes, which are used to track how much commission would each player owe. The shoe will also be around this area of the mini baccarat table.
The player's area on the mini baccarat table can accommodate up to seven players. The player's spots on the table layout will be numbered one to seven accordingly. The three betting options in mini baccarat will be there, one set for each player. The betting area closest to the players is the one for the player hand, next will be the one for the banker hand, and the farthest one from the player's would be the area for the tie bet. Each betting area on the mini baccarat layout will be in a different color.
Mini baccarat is a great alternative for players who don't have really deep pockets or huge bankrolls. You'll still be playing with the same rules and odds as the original game. They can still enjoy the game of baccarat, dress casually, and have a great time.
