The best known baccarat variants
Probably born in the Late Middle Ages, the game of Baccarat it evolved and spread across Europe introducing a vast number of variations, each with its own small deviations from the standard rules . In the basic version of the game, the objective is to bet on a combination of cards (dealer or player) that comes closest to the value of 9.
Every game can end with three outcomes: a tie between the player and the bank, a win for the bank, or a win for the player. The decks used consist of 52 cards each, although the number may vary depending on the game variant and at the discretion of the house (for example, Punto Banco can use 4, 6, or 8 decks).
Each card retains its nominal value, while the face cards and tens are worth 0 points. In all variations of baccarat, a winning hand totals a score of 9, or gets as close as possible to this number.
Talking about winning strategies is always very risky, first of all because it is a game partly linked to luck and, secondly, because a lot depends on the skill of the player!
For this reason, it is particularly important to thoroughly understand the type of baccarat we are dealing with. As we know, most card games have undergone a series of variations over the years, which have formed true variants with different rules and payouts.
On this page we are going to analyze which are the most common baccarat variants (and which are the most advantageous!).
1. Chemin de Fer
In this very famous variant of baccarat, usually played with 6 decks, the banker is occupied by a player who leaves the table of participants, meaning the players start a game against each other without the presence of the dealer, allowing them to manage the game autonomously.
If the participant at the table beats the player at the bank, they will move from the table to the bank, starting a new round. The name itself, Chemin de Fer, suggests the speed of play of this variant (in French it means "railway"), which is still one of the most popular in France and Europe.
2. Punto Banco
This is the most commonly used variant of the game worldwide, which players often refer to as "baccarat." Unlike Chemin de Fer, Punto Banco does not give players much decision-making power as each player is only required to choose whether to bet on the banker, a player, or a tie.
In practice, players do not have the possibility to "stand" or request additional cards, as the gameplay follows fixed drawing rules. The difference in betting, and therefore the payout, is more advantageous if you bet on the banker, but it slightly decreases if you decide to bet on the player.
3. Baccarat Bank
The main difference between this version and the previous two lies in the number of cards that the dealer adds to the first hand. In other words, regardless of the value of their own cards, the participants at the table will receive a maximum of four cards, while the dealer will remain with two cards.
The decks used are usually 3. As in Chemin de Fer, in Baccarat Banque the croupier is the player who registers first and it is he who decides the value of the maximum bet.
4. Baccarat Squeeze
What distinguishes this variant is the way the cards are revealed, that is, they are delivered face down. Following the delivery of the second and third card, if requested, they are checked by the bank or dealer before being handed to the player.
The name given to this variant is very significant because the game is based on the squeeze, a mode of partial revelation of the final card. In this variant, the observation of the cards before the distribution at the table becomes fundamental.
5. European Baccarat
European baccarat does not present exaggerated deviations from the main rule, its peculiarity lies in being able to ask for an additional card or "stand" even with a score of 5.
6. American Baccarat
American baccarat is a variant very similar to Punto Banco, with the only exception that if one of the participants reaches a score of 8 or 9, the game ends with open cards. The winner is quickly identified!
The best live baccarat variations
THE Online casino offer the opportunity to play comfortably from home without giving up the atmosphere of the real casino.
Among the many casino games available in the section “ Live casino ” there is also baccarat! See our favorites below.
1. No Commission Baccarat
No Commission Baccarat is a game variant born online, and produced by evolution , which eliminates the payment of a 5% commission whenever the bank records a win. In the event that the bank has a value equal to 6, participants receive only half of the initial bet.
2. Dragon Tiger
With rules similar to baccarat, Dragon Tiger also aims to guess the combination of cards that comes closest to nine.
This game is developed by Colossus Pragmatic play and, in addition to offering an oriental gaming atmosphere, it has a different reward system:
- if you bet on the highest card and guess right, the value of the win is equal to the bet;
- if you bet on a tie, the win is 11 times the value of the bet;
- if you bet on a tie with the same suit, you can win up to 50 times your bet;
- if you lose, you only lose half of your initial bet.
In this version, one hand lasts approximately 25 seconds.
3.Live Lightning Baccarat
The live gaming experience "live lighting" is inspired by the well-known version of the Roulette and it works the same way. Developed by Evolution, Live Lightening Baccarat offers an Art Deco atmosphere dominated by black and gold.
During the normal game it is possible to collect a bonus multiplier card which will make the hand more fun and increase the chances of winning big.
4. Live Speed Baccarat
As per its name, this online variant of baccarat aims to reduce the playing time from a 50 second round to just 27 seconds.
Baccarat tables
The baccarat tables can vary according to the gaming needs or the number of players, dividing themselves into three types.
- Big Baccarat
The dimensions of the baccarat table vary depending on the number of participants, with the largest one accommodating up to 14 players. From the dimensions of the table, it can also be inferred that the minimum bet value is much higher than usual.
- Mini Baccarat
Another variant is that of mini baccarat, where the rules are identical to the classic game, but what changes is the reduced number of players. As the name suggests, it is a minimized version as there are only 7 participants and the value of the bets is lower.
- Midi Baccarat
The midi baccarat table occupies an intermediate position between the mini table and the big table. In this variation, the game is quite fast but, like the big table, the minimum bets have a very high value, making it a very exclusive table.
Did you know that…?
The large baccarat table can accommodate up to 14 players... even though the seat numbers range from 1 to 15! The main reason is the superstition of some players, who are convinced that the number 13 brings bad luck.
Which variant of baccarat to choose?
The choice must be made based on the player's experience, game objectives, and the budget they are willing to invest, as every player should establish a maximum threshold for bets and losses.
As for the game itself, it is difficult to determine which variant to choose, since each of them has its own peculiarities that can play in your favor or not.
Furthermore, one must always consider the payouts offered by the casino and gaming applications, especially when playing online, without forgetting the possibility of applying strategies, if experienced.
The baccarat variants with the lowest house edge
In baccarat, there are three types of bets that can be made: on the player, on the tie, or on the banker, with the latter being the most advantageous for the bettor. In the table below, we can see the percentage of the house advantage when betting on the banker.
| Baccarat variant | House edge |
|---|---|
| With 3 or 4 decks | 1,06% |
| With 6 or 8 decks | 1,24% |
| With single deck | 1,29% |
The baccarat variants with the best payouts
Knowing the payout of a game is very important for calculating potential winnings, costs of playing, and losses. In the following table, we indicate the best payouts among the main variants of baccarat.
| Baccarat variant | Player payout | Tie | Bank win |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Baccarat | 1:1 | 8:1 | 19:20 |
| Chemin de fer | 1:1 | 8:1 | – |
| Punto Banco | 1:1 | 8:1 | 0,95:1 |
The best variations for beginners
We have seen that numerous variations revolve around classic baccarat, let's see which ones are suitable for beginners:
- Mini Baccarat: convenient for a small number of players, allows you to focus on shorter rounds and smaller bets;
- Chemin de Fer: the impossibility of busting ensures a long-lasting game, while the absence of a croupier outside the group of players contributes to the relaxed atmosphere;
- No Commission Baccarat: Beneficial for beginners who want to learn before betting more.
Baccarat for the experts
For those who have already gained some baccarat experience, we recommend these variants:
- Midi Baccarat and Big Baccarat: the higher-than-standard minimum bets and the number of players that can go up to 14 allow you to apply strategies and play in an intriguing way;
- Live Lightning Baccarat: the possibility of having multipliers can be a great advantage for those who play at the pro levels;
- Live Speed Baccarat: This live mode is suitable for experienced players as rounds are made in seconds.
Versions of baccarat to avoid
- Big Baccarat: although it can be intriguing to play with 14, we do not recommend this variant due to the too high minimum bets. The player could in fact incur large losses;
- Punto Banco: Punto Banco baccarat is a more restrictive variant, as the game follows stricter rules regarding requiring additional cards.
Frequent questions
