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Online Baccarat Glossary

Zane | May 15, 2023 | Updated on: May 15th, 2023

To become an expert in playing Baccarat, it’s crucial to have a thorough understanding of not only the online-baccaratgame’s rules but also the specific terminology used during gameplay. Even if you are a native English speaker, you may feel lost during a game when terms like “La Grande” are shouted and everyone else seems to understand what’s going on.

As we approach the back-to-school season in the casino world, it’s important to brush up on the vocabulary and jargon related to Baccarat. This article will provide you with the necessary explanations and definitions to ensure you are well-equipped to play the game like a pro. Get your pencils ready and let’s dive in!

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Baccarat Terms

Action

A term used in gambling to refer to the total amount of money that a player bets during a full gambling session. It can also be used to describe a single bet or wager on a game.

Baccarat

The worst possible hand in the game of Baccarat, which derives its name from the Italian word for zero, and refers to a hand with zero value, such as one composed of 10s, Kings, Queens, and Jacks.

Banco

The Spanish word for “bank” or “banker”. In Baccarat, it refers to the player who deals the cards and has the shoe.

Banco Prime

The privilege given to the player closest to the dealer’s right-hand side to match the amount wagered by the bank, if more than one player has called banco.

Banker Bet

One of the three possible bets in Baccarat. It is simply an option on which a player can bet, and does not represent the house or the person dealing the cards from the shoe. The payout is 1:1, but there is a 5% commission deducted from winning bets. Some experts believe that the Banker bet offers the best odds at 45.843%, compared to 44.615% for the Player bet. “Banker” can also refer to a casino staff member who supervises the game, runs the shoe, deals the cards, and ensures smooth gameplay.

Banque

A version of Baccarat played at two conjoined tables, where the Banker sits in the middle and plays with one bet against two Player bets, one at each table. This version is more popular in European casinos and less so in American ones. The literal translation of “Baccarat en Banque” is “Zero in Bank”.

Bankroll

The amount of money a player intends to spend on gambling and can afford to lose.

Burning

A process where the top three to six cards are discarded after shuffling and before the start of a new game.

Caller

A casino staff member who turns the cards, announces the points, and deals additional cards according to the third card draw rules in Baccarat.

Carte

The French equivalent of “Hit me,” used to request another card from the dealer.

Chemin De Fer

A variation of Baccarat, often referred to as European Baccarat. The French phrase “Chemin de Fer” means “railway” or “railroad.” It is a version in which the shoe with cards moves across the table, and a player deals the cards and takes bets, acting as the bank. This version is popular in European land-based casinos, especially in France, and is rarely played in American casinos or online.

Cheval

French for “across”. Depending on the type of game, a “cheval” bet is won if both active players win the bets. The bet is lost if both players lose, and if one player wins and the other loses, this is a standoff, with the “cheval” bet remaining intact. In some Baccarat games, a “cheval” bet can be placed by one player who has two hands. If the player wins both hands, they win the “cheval” bet and the round.

Cheques

Special chips called cheques are used in land-based casinos to play Baccarat, which further enhances the feeling of exclusivity.

Commission

Although Baccarat has a very low house edge on both the player and banker bets, the banker bet is considered more beneficial to the player as it wins 45.86% of the time, while the player wins 44.62% of the time. However, the Banker bet comes with a 5% commission. This commission is taken because the Banker bet is statistically more likely to win, and so the casino takes a small percentage of the winnings to offset this advantage.

Third card rules

In some cases, a third card may be drawn for either the Player or Banker hand, depending on specific rules that are determined by the casino. These rules can vary between different casinos, so it’s important to check the rules before placing your bets. Generally, if the Player hand has a total of 0-5, a third card is drawn, while if the Player hand has a total of 6-7, no third card is drawn. If the Player hand stands, then the Banker hand follows a set of predetermined rules to determine whether a third card is drawn.

Payouts

The payouts for Baccarat vary depending on the type of bet that is placed. As mentioned earlier, the Banker bet has a 5% commission, which means that the payout is slightly lower than even money. The Player bet pays even money, meaning that a $5 bet would result in a $5 payout. Finally, the Tie bet pays out at 8:1 or 9:1, depending on the casino.

Match Play

Casinos use match play promotions to incentivize players to bet on their games. These bonuses can only be used once and are applied in even money games. Depending on the casino’s rules, Baccarat may be considered an even money game, allowing players to take advantage of the match play bonus and get paid double their cash bet without doubling their bet.

Mini Baccarat

Mini Baccarat is a smaller version of the full-size Baccarat table that can seat up to seven players and one dealer. It offers lower table limits and a faster-paced gameplay, making it a preferred choice for mass players. In online versions of Mini Baccarat, the dealer draws the cards face-up, while at land-based casinos, they are dealt face-down.

Monkey

In Baccarat, a slang term used for a 10-value card – a face card or a ten.

Muck: The eight card decks containing 52 cards each that are used at the start of shuffling.

Natural

In Baccarat, when the two initially dealt cards total either eight or nine, it is called a natural. A natural eight is a winning hand, ending the round automatically unless the other hand is a natural nine – the best hand in Baccarat.

Palette

A long wooden tool used by the croupiers to move the cards around the Baccarat table during the game.

Pass

In Baccarat, a win in the game.

Pit: An exclusive area in the casino separated by a red rope where high-rollers play Baccarat at high stakes.

Player

In Baccarat, one of the three available bets along with Banker and Tie. Player bets are opposite to Banker bets, and players can wager on either Banker or Player or choose a Tie. Player bets pay 1:1, and the house advantage is slightly more than 1%.

Punter

In the UK, a person playing the game of Baccarat can be called a punter. It is another term for a bettor.

Punto

In Spanish, a player.

Punto Banco

Punto Banco is one of the most widespread variations of Baccarat and an alias of the game worldwide. It was developed in the 1950s in Argentina, making its way to Cuba and then the USA. It translates as Player Banker.

Push

In Baccarat, a bet that is neither a winning nor a losing one. The amount players have wagered is held over for the next round, similar to the rules of Blackjack.

Railroad

Another Baccarat version commonly referred to by its French translation Chemin de Fer. It was very popular in France in the late 19th century and was called Chemmy when introduced to the USA.

Run

A side bet option allowing players to bet on a series of hands in Baccarat.

Shills

Members of the casino staff, usually young glamorous women whose purpose is to add appeal to the game and attract players. The practice of using shills to lure players to a game of Baccarat was employed in the second half of the 20th century at Las Vegas casinos.

Shoe: An automatic dealing machine used in Baccarat to prevent errors associated with the human factor in manual dealing. The shoe contains six or eight decks and is used in both land-based and online games.

Shooter

A term used to describe the Bank in Baccarat.

Shuffle Up: A term used to refer to the early shuffling of the cards by the dealer in Baccarat.

Skill

In Baccarat, a joke madeabout a player enjoying a good run is often referred to as “skill.” However, this is simply a humorous way of acknowledging the role of luck in the game.

Standoff

A standoff occurs in Baccarat when both the Player and the Banker hands have the same value and are tied. In this case, the round ends in a tie, and the bets are returned to the players.

Streak

When a player has a streak in Baccarat, it means they have had a number of consecutive results that are the same, such as several wins in a row or several losses in a row.

Super Pan Nine

Super Pan Nine is a variation of Baccarat that is popular in poker casinos in Los Angeles. In this game, all players are dealt three hands-down cards, which are scored as in Baccarat. However, it differs in that one player acts as the bank.

Table of Play

The Table of Play in Baccarat is a set of rules that describe the scores allowing players to receive a third card. These rules are determined by the casino and can vary from one location to another.

Tie

In addition to the Player and Banker bets, the Tie bet is the third possible bet in Baccarat. If a hand ends in a tie, it’s considered a push, and the player and the banker get their wagers back. The Tie bet pays 8:1 or 9:1, depending on the casino, but has a high house edge of more than 14%.

Upcard

An Upcard in Baccarat is a card that is turned face-up. This is typically done by the dealer, and it allows all players at the table to see the card and make informed decisions about their bets.

Vigorish

The Vigorish in Baccarat is the percentage of winnings that the casino takes from a bet. This fee is usually around 5% and is taken from the Banker bet. However, some casinos may charge a higher or lower vigorish, depending on their specific rules.

VIP

VIP stands for “Very Important Person” and is a term used in casinos to refer to high rollers. These are players who bet large amounts of money and are often given special treatment by the casino, such as complimentary drinks, meals, or hotel rooms.

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