Baccarat En Banque

Have you ever sat at a Mini Baccarat table in Vegas When you’re playing Mini Baccarat, it doesn’t matter if you bet on the Player, the Banker or a Tie; you’re still going to lose money unless you get lucky or learn how to play better Baccarat.  Wouldn’t it be great if you were the house?  Wouldn’t it be great if you were the one betting against other players and the casino wouldn’t interfere?  If these thoughts ever crossed your mind, you might want to check out Chemin De Fer.  It could be exactly what you’re looking for.

Chemin De Fer is an older variation of Baccarat than the one played in Las Vegas today.  The house isn’t involved in this game.  All the casino provides is a Croupier (dealer) and the table, cards and chairs.  For this service the house takes 5% of all Banker winnings, but the gambling is done exclusively between the players. 

Unlike Mini Baccarat where you can bet on Banker or Player, In Chemin De Fer you ARE either the Player or the Banker.  There is only one Banker designated in Chemin De Fer and the rest of the people at the table are Players.  The Banker wages the amount he or she is willing to risk and all the players, starting at the banker’s left, can bet up to that

amount.  Once the amount is reached, no other players can bet. 
The Banker’s winnings stay in the bank (thus increasing the amount that can be wagered) until the Banker chooses to pass the shoe or loses a hand.
The rules in Chemin De Fer are also a bit different from Mini Baccarat.  For example, the first two cards are dealt face-down and the third, if applicable is dealt face-up.  In addition, the drawing rules are more flexible.

A Player must draw if their hand scores 4 or less and they must stand if they score 6 or 7.  A score of 8 or 9 is considered a natural and stops the game before the draw.  In addition, Chemin De Fer offers the Player the option to draw if they score a 5.  This option isn’t available in Mini Baccarat.

The rules for the Banker are also different.  The Banker can choose to draw or stand regardless of what his or her hand is.

A Player is paid their winnings immediately from the Bank and all the Banker’s winnings remain in the Bank (minus the 5% commission) until he or she is ready to pass the shoe or loses.

Chemin De Fer is a game with many more nuances than the Baccarat played online and in many US casinos.  There is more hand reading involved and more decisions to make.  For gamblers who love the game of Baccarat but prefer the game not be as automatic as Mini Baccarat, Chemin De Fer offers another – more appealing – option.