Baccarat Banque: The global popularity of baccarat makes it a staple in many casinos, yet few players have experienced the oldest variant of the game — Baccarat Banque. Also known as Baccarat Deux Tables (Double-Table Baccarat), Baccarat Banque dates back to the late 18th century when it was a favorite pastime among French aristocrats.
Baccarat Banque is still played in European casinos as one of the three common types of baccarat, but its unique rules aren’t available in online baccarat. The layout and gameplay simply don’t translate well to a digital format. Keep reading to learn how Baccarat Banque works and what sets it apart.
Baccarat Banque The Basics
Baccarat Banque is played at a special oval table that accommodates five players on either side and has two cut-outs in the middle, giving it a shape reminiscent of a cello. One cut-out is for the croupier, and the other for the Banque. Unlike typical baccarat where the house acts as banker, in this game, a player takes on the role of the banker.
At the start, there’s an “auction” to determine who becomes the Banque. Players place chips in front of them, and the player with the largest pile assumes the Banque position. This also sets the maximum amount the Banque can lose on a single hand.
Afterwards, the croupier shuffles multiple decks in a shoe, allowing players on both sides to reshuffle before giving it to the Banque for a final shuffle. Cards are then dealt face down, alternately to the right-hand player, the left-hand player, and the Banque until each has two cards. The two players compete against the Banque.
Betting
Players can place bets on the hand of the player on their side, the hand on the opposite side, or both. Betting on the banker’s hand is not allowed. Bets start with the player to the right of the banker, then move to the left, alternating until all bets are placed.
Any player may declare “Go bank,” which matches the banker’s stake in an attempt to bust them and take over the Banque. If a player “goes bank” on both sides, the stakes are halved. A player can only “go bank” a maximum of three times during a game.
Baccarat odds and payouts remain consistent, but the table limits depend on the banker’s stake. For instance, if the Banque stakes $1,500, total player bets cannot exceed that. Winning bets pay even money, with the casino taking a 5% commission on winning banker bets. The banker remains in position until either the shoe is played out or they lose their money.
Players Versus Banker
Once all bets are in, hands are revealed and scored using standard baccarat rules: aces count as one, cards 2–9 carry their face value, and tens and face cards count as zero. Hands totaling ten or more drop the first digit (e.g., 9 + 6 = 15 → 5).
A natural occurs if a hand’s initial two cards total eight or nine, resulting in an automatic win against lower hands. In a natural-versus-natural scenario, nine beats eight. Ties are pushes, and tie bets are not available in Baccarat Banque.
If no natural occurs, the players and banker may draw additional cards. Players to the banker’s left and right represent their table halves as long as they continue winning. Losing hands pass to the next player in turn, though some casinos allow the largest bettor to take the position.
The right-hand player’s hand is resolved first, then the left-hand player, and finally the banker. Players follow drawing rules similar to Chemin de Fer: draw on four or less, draw or stand on five, and stand on six or seven. The banker can draw or stand freely. Learning when to draw or stand is key to improving at baccarat.
While baccarat strategy options are limited, choosing whether to hit or stand on five is one decision players can make. Bankers generally hit on totals of zero to five and stand on six or seven. Using betting systems may help manage wins and losses, but proper bankroll management is the cornerstone of Baccarat Banque strategy.
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