Baccarat Variants – Full Rundown and Overview

It's no secret that baccarat is among the oldest and most popular casino games in the world. While this is a simple game to play, it also comes in many different variants that can make it more complex.

All of them share one common goal – guessing the round's outcome. But what about the tiny differences that make each variant special compared to the rest? In this article, we will list and review the top baccarat variants to show you how they differ from the traditional game.

Most popular baccarat variants

There are several different variations of the baccarat game that are played in casinos all over the world. While the basics of the game are always the same, small details make each variant unique. Since even the slightest variation can affect your baccarat playing experience, it's smart to know how these variants differ from one another.

That's why we broke down the top variants you can enjoy across many brick-and-mortar as well as online casinos. So, without further ado, let's dive into the most popular variants of baccarat.

Punto banco

Punto banco is the most popular and common variant of baccarat. It's also the one you're most likely to find in a casino. In this game, two hands are dealt – the Player's hand and the Banker's hand. The objective is to bet which of the two hands will have the score closest to 9. You can also bet on a tie, where the hand counts are equal. The house edge for Punto banco is 1.06% on the Banker's bet, 1.24% on the Player's bet, and 14.36% on the tie bet.

The Player's and Banker's hands are each dealt two cards, and the hand's value is calculated according to the point values of the cards. If either hand has a total of 8 or 9, it's considered a natural, and no further cards are drawn. If not, extra cards may need to be drawn according to specific rules. Basically, the standard baccarat playing rules are pretty much identical to Punto banco.

Mini baccarat

Mini baccarat is among the most popular online baccarat variants. This variant is popular with casual players as it's considered more minimalistic compared to the traditional game.

The mini baccarat table sits 7 players instead of the usual 14. Another major difference between mini baccarat and other variants is the size of the betting limits, which are typically much smaller. So, this variant suits even the smallest budgets of casual baccarat enthusiasts.

The aim of the game is still to bet on which hand will have the higher score, but there are some changes in the rules for drawing additional cards. In mini baccarat, if the Player's hand has a total of five or less, the Player must draw an additional card. If the Player's hand holds 6 or 7, the Player stands. Unlike in standard baccarat, however, in mini baccarat only one extra card can be added to each hand.

Chemin de fer

Chemin de fer is a variant that originated in France back in the 19th century. The Player's and Banker's hands are each dealt two cards, and the value of the hand is calculated according to the point values of the cards. If either hand has a total of eight or nine, it's a natural, and no further cards are drawn. However, if this isn't the case, players might need to draw extra cards according to certain rules.

The primary difference between Chemin de fer and other baccarat variants is in how players take part in the game. Unlike in Punto banco, in which the casino acts as the ultimate banker, in Chemin de fer, players alternate taking on the role of the banker and place bets against the other players. The banker is responsible for making bets, collecting bets, and paying out wins, while the croupier ensures the smooth running of the game.

EZ baccarat

EZ baccarat is a simplified version of the legendary card game and the perfect baccarat for beginners. This variant is pretty much identical to the traditional game. However, the 5% commission is eliminated.

Similar to the original version, all winning bets on the Player's hand are paid at even money. Moreover, winning wagers on the Banker's hand are also paid out at even money, which isn't always the case with the traditional way of playing the game.

However, if the Banker wins with a three-card hand with a total of 7, it's called "a push" or "barred". In this case, the Banker neither wins nor loses. Lastly, winning Tie bets are paid at 8 to 1. The house edge in EZ baccarat is 1.02% on the Banker's hand and 1.24% on the Player's hand.

Three card baccarat

Three card baccarat is a pretty popular baccarat variant, especially in Macau. In this game, instead of being dealt two cards, the Player and Banker are each dealt three cards face up. The game's objective remains the same – to bet on which hand will have the score closest to nine.

The number of face cards is compared first. The best hand you can get in this variant consists of three face cards, even though this score would be a zero. Of course, if both hands have three face cards each, it's considered a tie. Point totaling works similarly to other variants, with some modifications. If both hands have the same total, then the hand with the most face cards wins.

The Player's payout is 97:100, meaning the casino will keep 3% of your winnings. You can also wager on a tie before the croupier deals, which pays at 25:1. This popular baccarat variant also often lets players bet on the hand total count through a separate bet. The payout for such bets is usually 8 to 1.

No commission baccarat

No commission baccarat is a variant that has gained quite a bit of popularity in recent years. As the name suggests, this game does not charge any commission on winning Banker's bets. However, if the Banker's hand wins, you'll only be paid even money.

Alternatively, if the Banker's hand totals 6, you'll get only a 0.5 to 1 payout. The baccarat house edge for this variant is 1.46% on the Banker's bet.

The drawing rules in no commission baccarat are a little different from other variants. If the Player's card total is between 0 and 5, they must draw another card. However, if the Player's hand is 6 or 7, they stand. If the Player gets a hand of 8 or 9, that's called a natural, and neither the Player nor Banker can draw.

The drawing rules are a little bit more complicated when it comes to the Banker's hand. Depending on the Banker's first two cards total, they act in the following ways: If the total is:

• If the total is between 0-2, they draw a third card,
• If the total is 3, they stand when the Player's third card is 8,
• If the total is 4, they stand when the Player's third card is 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10,
• If the total is 6, the Banker draws a third card when Player's third card is 6, 7,
• If the total is 7, the Banker doesn't draw any card.

High roller baccarat

Also known as high limit baccarat, this table game is perfect for players that love placing bigger bets at high-roller casinos. The rules are pretty similar to the original baccarat variant. This includes everything from the wagers and card values to the drawing rules.

Now, when you play the traditional version, your wager will probably get capped at around $100. Of course, these limits vary depending on your casino of choice. Still, with high roller baccarat, players are allowed to wager much higher amounts of money. Typically, the minimum bet starts at around $1,000 or $2,000. As for the cap, it can go up to $50,000.

What is the best baccarat variant?

There's no straightforward answer to this question, as it depends on what you're looking for. The best baccarat variant is the one that suits your needs and preferences the most. And since the basics for most baccarat games are the same, you just need to figure out which specific details you like the most.

For instance, if you want to play a game that's as close to the original as possible, go for Punto banco. However, EZ baccarat might be a better option if you want something with a lower house edge. Or, if you're a high roller that loves placing huge bets, you might want to try high roller baccarat.