The various different games you can play at live casinos are all very similar variations of one type of baccarat – Punto Banco. Each of them have their own unique selling points, so take some time to go through each and see which one you feel most comfortable playing. Let’s have a look at the main types you will commonly find in a live casino environment.
Live Dragon Tiger
Dragon Tiger is probably the most unique variant of online baccarat available. Set in an authentic oriental environment, the game adds a lot of different elements to the original game. This game pits the Dragon and the Tiger against each other rather than the player and the banker. The first thing you will notice is that the game features single card hands as opposed to 2 cards being dealt to each. You’ll also notice that the card values are different too. In Live Dragon Tiger, the Ace is low and the cards are valued in ascending order like so:
A-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-J-Q-K
Ties bets also work differently in this game. A tie bet pays out 1:1 and you will receive half of your bet back on top of your winnings from the round. Dragon Tiger also introduces a new type of bet, the suited tie. As the name suggests, you win on this when both the Dragon and the Tiger land the same card value from the same suit. This bet pays an impressive 50:1 if you win, plus half your initial bet back.
Where to play?
If you would like to play a few games, Evolution Gaming’s Live Dragon Tiger table has everything you need to test it out for yourself.
Speed Baccarat
Where to play?
You can play this variant on Evolution Gaming’s Speed Baccarat tables for some fast-paced action. Try it out for yourself on any of our recommended casinos if you think you’re comfortable enough with the rules and bets of the game.
Baccarat Squeeze
Baccarat Squeeze is yet another take on the classic game. In this variant, the way the dealer reveals the cards is where the difference lies. The wagers that have been placed affects how the dealer reveals each hand in Baccarat Squeeze. The hand that has the lowest amount of wagers will be revealed normally, while the cards in the hand with the greatest total wagers will be squeezed by the dealer. This will usually be done as the second card is being revealed for that hand. The squeeze consists of the dealer slowly turning up the edges to give you a sneak peek of what the card will be. If the wagers are equal for both hands, the dealer will squeeze both of them.
Where to play?
Have a look at Evolution Gaming’s Baccarat Squeeze if you’re looking to add a dash of excitement to the standard game of baccarat.
Baccarat Controlled Squeeze
This game is a variation of Baccarat Squeeze that allows you to squeeze the cards yourself. How exactly is this possible? The dealer will place the cards face-down on a glass panel that captures the values of the cards. With the use of a special animation in the overlay, you can digitally peel back the cards to reveal their values. During each round, you will be allotted a certain amount of time to do this, usually between 10-15 seconds depending on the table and the provider.
Where to play?
Evolution Gaming’s Baccarat Controlled Squeeze tables are a great place to play this uniquely interesting variation for yourself.
No Commission Baccarat
Where to play?
Live No Commission Baccarat by Evolution Gaming brings a world-class Asian gaming experience to LeoVegas. With no dues owed to the house on a banker win and a host of betting options from Player Pair to Banker Pair, this is the ultimate choice for playing baccarat online!
Punto Banco
Punto Banco, also known as North American baccarat, is the most popular variant of baccarat. In fact, if you play live baccarat chances are it will be Punto Banco. If you’d like to learn more about this variant, the rules, bets and odds are explained on the how to play baccarat page. What’s interesting is that there’s actually several variations of this type of baccarat. That’s right, there are variants of this particular variant. There are a couple of differences between them, but they are more-or-less the same as Punto Banco. Let’s go through each of these types of Punto Banco. The bets are the standard player (or punto), banker (or banco) and tie bets (or egalite)
Midi and Mini Punto
In land-based casinos, midi and mini punto tables are much smaller than the standard Punto Banco one, they also have only 1 dealer, where the bigger table will have 3. In a live baccarat environment, however, this will make little to no difference as there is always only 1 dealer and seats are not as limited. In midi punto, cards are dealt face down while the cards are dealt face up in mini punto. That’s the only real variant specific rule.
EZ Baccarat
This is a relatively new variant of Punto Banco that has only been around since 2004. It’s much like the other variants, but there are a couple of different bets and rules included. First off, there’s no commission on banker bets and the house edge is slightly lower too. What’s more, a banker hand that totals 7 with 3 cards will be forced to push, meaning the money is held and carried over to the next round. There are also 2 different side bets added in this variant, the Dragon 7 and the Panda 8 bets. The Dragon 7 bet wins when the 3-card total for the banker equals 7, while the Panda 8 bet wins when a player 3-card total is 8.
Tips for playing Punto Banco online
By now you’re probably geared up and ready to start playing Punto Banco online. Before you jump into a game, have a look at these hints and tips that will make your experience more enjoyable. Of course, they will not show you the secrets of how to win Punto Banco, but they will allow you to become a better player.
Make sure you only play at licensed and regulated online casinos.
Play at tables with the lowest possible minimum bet so you can get the hang pof playing a couple of rounds.
Look out for tables that have a lower amount of commission on banker bets.
Bet strategically by placing more emphasis on even odd bets as they will win more often.
Set realistic limitations on how much you’re willing to spend and how much you want to win. Once you reach either of these limits, stop playing.
Where to play?
Are you ready to try out your newly gained knowledge of the game? There are plenty of tables that you can join to play Punto Banco baccarat – most of them actually. So peruse through the different tables until you find one you like, then pull up a digital seat and enjoy a welcome bonus.
Chemin de Fer
Chemin de Fer can trace its roots back to the time of King Louis XIV in France. Back then, all forms of gambling were prohibited. Naturally, this only increased people’s interest in playing and the underground version of baccarat, known as Chemin de Fer, was born. Translated into English, Chemin de Fer literally means “railway”. Some say this is because it’s faster to play than traditional baccarat, the train being the fastest form of transport at the time. Other sources suggest it’s to do with the literal translation of Chemin de Fer to “path of iron” as the decks of cards were stored securely in an iron box.
The table
In land-based casinos, the Chemin de Fer table can be played by 8 to 12 players and is manned by 3 different dealers. As there is little need for this online, every table will only have one dealer and the size of the table is completely dependant on the provider. The layout of the table is also different from the standard game of baccarat. There are 2 squares – the Banque for banker bets and the Reliquat for the remainder of the banker’s bet that isn’t covered by the other players. In the middle of the table there are 2 areas, one for the used cards called the Panier and one for the casino’s commission known as the Cagnote.
Types of bets, Rules and Odds
The Chemin de Fer rules are very different from those in Punto Banco. As mentioned already, the game pits the players against each other instead of the casino. Each player will take turns in assuming the role of the bank and as the banker, they will need to cover the bets of the other players. In this variation, the person who wagers the most amount will represent all the other players in a round. At any time before the round begins, a player can go all-in by declaring Banco. If more than one player does this, precedence is given to the player closest to the banker’s right. The game is then played between this player and the one who has taken on the role of banker. These 2 players must try and win the round based on the value of their hands.
The cards are dealt face down by the banker at the beginning of the round. Each player then looks at their cards and if they have a natural hand of 8 or 9, they will announce this, show their cards and the round is over. If no natural is obtained here, the first 2 cards are left face down and the player and the banker have the option of drawing a third card, face up. The below table illustrates exactly when the player and the banker can draw or stand.
Rules for the player
The rules for the player are rather straightforward. The only instance where they will have any real say in what to do is if they have a value of 5.
Rules for the banker if the player draws a third card
Rules for the banker if the player stands
After the player and the banker decide to draw or hold, the round will end and the total of the cards will be tallied up. The person closest to 9 will win the round and all the wagers will be paid back 1:1 and the casino will take a small commission of about 5% if the banker wins. If there is a tie, the bets will remain on the table for the next round. At the end of the round, if the banker lost, they must pass the right to being so on to the next player. If they win, they can choose to stay as the banker or pass it.
Tips for playing Chemin de Fer online
As you’ve probably noticed from the rules of Chemin de Fer, it’s a game that requires you to physically be at the table. This means that it’s very rare that you will ever find an online live version of it, for now at least. Saying that though, there are a few handy tips that you use to your advantage if you do decide to try it out at a land based casino.
- There is no set rule saying that you have to draw or stand on a certain value, so you can play the game as you see fit.
- It’s good etiquette to keep playing as the banker for a few rounds after you win a game.
- As the banker you can choose to meet a player bet higher than yours, or remove the excess from the table.
- Be realistic with the amount of money you’re willing to lose and win. Seeing as you will eventually take on the role of the banker, you’re going to need place a down a larger wager than you would when betting on the player.
Where to play?
The current streaming technology that live casinos possess are more suited towards other variants of baccarat. If you browse through the live baccarat tables, you’ll notice that they are all for Punto Banco and it’s variations. So, for now you will have to visit a land based casino to play Chemin de Fer. But, you can still play some of the other variants online! The odds and bets are universal to almost every type so you can practice in a game of live baccarat before hitting the casinos to play Chemin de Fer.
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