Variations of Baccarat: Banque
“Baccarat Banque” is one of the three main Baccarat variants. The other two are “Chemin de Fer” and “American Baccarat” sometimes referred to as “Punto Banco”. Baccarat variants enjoy different levels of popularity around the world. American Baccarat is obviously more popular in the Americans (hence the name). Baccarat Banque on the other hand, enjoys immense popularity in Europe and especially in France (as the name would suggest).
Instead of the normal six or eight decks used in other Baccarat games, there are only three to four decks in Baccarat Banque. This is one of the variants where a player can take the role of the banker. Normally this person is the one with the largest bet but some casinos will go through a list. The first on the list is the first to be the banker. Anyone not wishing to be the banker can usually pass it along to the next player.
After the banker is chosen, two Player hands and one Banker hands are dealt. This is a difference from other Baccarat games where there’s normally one of each hand. This two handed variation gives Baccarat Banque its second name of, “Deux tableaux” meaning “two tables”. Since there are two Player’s hands and the table resembles two tables coming together, the description fits (like two tables coming together).
One Player’s hand is dealt on the right side of the table and the other Player’s hand is on the opposite end at the left. Banker’s hands are in the middle. The Banker can bet on their hand and the players can only bet on the Player hands. If they want to bet on both, they are able to do so. The amount of player wagers cannot normally exceed the amount put forth from the banker. So a $500.00 wager could have ten wagers of $50.00, five wagers of $100.00 or any other combination that doesn’t exceed the banker’s pot.
However an exception exists where a player can challenge the banker by betting equal to or greater than the banker’s initial bet. If the challenger wins after the cards are dealt, they become the new banker and the banker becomes a normal player. The new banker gets to enjoy their ability to choose or refuse a card if their score is 5.
So does Baccarat Banque sound like a game you’d like to try? Double the hands and you get to go one on one with the dealer. Sounds like a fun game to us!
