Understanding Baccarat: A Simple Guide for Beginners

History of Baccarat

The exact Baccarat origin remains unclear but most believe that it originates from the year 1500 in Rome, Italy. The game has been developed by a person named Felix Falguierein. Felix named the game “baccara” which means “zero” in Italian and got the reference from the card values because tens, jacks, queens, and kings are worth zero in the baccarat game. The game's popularity was initially the result of Baccarat’s favourite French player, King Charles VIII when he and his court discovered it during the Italian Wars. It then quickly spread within France.

As time flew, it was widely called Baccarat until now. Chemin de Fer remained a prominent version of Baccarat in France for centuries. During 18-19^th centuries, it spread across Europe and diversified into three versions which are Chemin de Fer (France), Baccarat Banque (Europe), and Punto Banco (Cuba).

Baccarat made its way to America during the 19^th-20^th Century and then afterward to Asia, particularly in Macau. Today, baccarat has been modernized to fit the ever-evolving population. Baccarat became a must-play game in all the casinos in the world whether online or offline and it has more versions like online baccarat and mini baccarat compared to the olden days.

Types of Baccarat

Baccarat has captured the hearts of gamblers for centuries in the classic world of casino gaming. Known for its simplicity, elegance, and aura of sophistication, it is often associated with high rollers and glamorous casino settings. Yet beneath its polished exterior lies a versatile game with a variety of formats, each offering its own unique twist on the core gameplay.

Here, we’ll guide you through the many types of baccarat, along with a simple baccarat gaming guide that highlights their distinctive rules, strategies and appeal for each version of this timeless casino classic.

3-Card Baccarat

This game is usually played with a single 52-card deck and is popular among most Asian casinos. The ultimate aim of the baccarat game is to get three pictures for all three cards (J/Q/K) (If there is a card of 10, that means you have 0 points). The second highest point to get is 9 points.

1. Punto Banco

Punto Banco is the version of baccarat game widely recognized, especially in parts of North America and Asia including countries like Malaysia. The name “Punto Banco” is derived from Spanish, where “Punto” means Player and “Bunco” means Banker. As always, the casino always acts as the bank, and players would simply just bet on whether the Player or Banker hand will win, or if the result will result in a Tie. Punto Banco is known for its simplicity and shall be explained in greater detail later in a simple baccarat gaming guide.

2. Baccarat Banque

Another popular version of baccarat, Baccarat Banque, is famous across Europe. This variation of baccarat uses three decks of cards and allows players the opportunity to act as the banker. Unlike the other versions of baccarat, players that act as the Banker do not necessarily need to compete against other players but may choose to bet on their own side. This baccarat variation offers players more control and options for strategy to take advantage of, making this classic casino game of odds an appealing choice for those seeking an experience that is more exciting.

3. Chemin de Fer

Chemin de Fer being highly popular in France and across Europe, is the older version of baccarat with its origins dating back to before the 18^th century. Like Baccarat Banque, this version allows players to act as the Banker. In this version of baccarat though, the only difference is the player that accepts the role as the Banker is able to compete directly against other players at the table. Compared to the simpler Punto Banco, Chemin de Fer is renowned for its strategic complexity, allowing players to make choices while playing, making the game more dynamic and captivating.

4. Mini Baccarat

As the name implies, Mini Baccarat is basically scaled-down version of Punto Banco that is played on a smaller table that could only sit up to 7 players in physical casinos. You will know by just looking at its name, mini. This version of baccarat also comes with the lowest betting limits in online casinos which makes it ideal for beginners or players that prefer lower stakes in gameplay. The game is highly popular for its simplicity and faster-paced gameplay, making it a favourite among casual players.

Rules of the game

Here is a baccarat gaming guide that presents the rules in a simple and easy-to-read format.

In baccarat, the game is played using a shoe, a device that holds multiple decks of cards and is used to deal cards during the baccarat game. A single shoe typically contains 8 decks of cards.

There are 3 possible winning parties in this game which are the Banker, Player, and Tie. To win the game, the winning hand has to have their cards total closes to 9. 

The game unfolds by:

1. Players placing their bets

Players begin placing their bets on the Banker, Player or Tie side.

2. Times up and players stop betting

Players are given a time limit, after which they are unable to place any further bets.

3. Cards are dealt

Two cards are dealt to both the Player and the Banker from the shoe.

4. Third card rule

Determine whether the third card is needed. If a Natural 8 or Natural 9 appears, no party needs to draw to the third card.

The table below outlines the value of the player's third card, showing whether the banker will draw a third card based on their total and the player’s third card. This ensures transparency in gameplay and minimizes ambiguity, as these decisions are not influenced by the dealer or banker’s discretion.